United States: Falun Gong Warmly Received at Thanksgiving Parade in Maryland

An annual Thanksgiving Parade was held in Silver Spring, Maryland, adjacent to Washington DC on the afternoon of November 21st, 2009. Falun Gong practitioners in Washington DC were invited to participate in this traditional celebration as the only Chinese group.

Falun Gong practitioners' contingent

Falun Gong practitioners' Dragon Dance Team

On the weekend prior to Thanksgiving Day, the fine weather drew many people out to the streets to wait for parade early in the morning. Parade entries and spectators enthusiastically interacted, and children were excited to receive all sorts of candy thrown to them from different groups. Flowers thrown to parents brought unexpected pleasure. A festive and joyous atmosphere permeated the scene.

The Falun Gong contingent, composed of a float and dragon dance team, was the only Chinese group in the parade procession, adding to the splendor to the multi-faceted cultural activity. The Dragon Dance Team, composed of nine practitioners, performed with a ten-metre long dragon, that was lifelike in the hands of practitioners, jumping, whirling, and frequently changing postures. The performance was impressive and received a warm response from the audience.

Ms. Chen, the coordinator of this event, said that Falun Gong practitioners participate in this parade every year. On the one hand, they want to express their appreciation. Although Falun Gong practitioners in China are subjected to persecution, the practitioners in the U.S. are thankful for being able to practise freely. The practitioners also want to take the opportunity to share traditional Chinese culture with residents of different nationalities, and convey the message that the world-famous New York Shen Yun Performing Arts will be coming to perform at the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts.

When the Falun Gong contingent passed the main stage, the host introduced them to the audience by saying that Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a cultivation practice of mind and body under the guidance of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Since its first introduction to the public in 1992 in China, Falun Dafa has been spread to more than 100 countries.

The first and only round the clock local cable station - News Channel 8 in Washington DC - broadcast the two-hour parade live, and will rebroadcast it on Thanksgiving Day.