(Clearwisdom.net) On July 1, 2004, Canada's 137th National Day, Falun Gong practitioners in the Vancouver area participated in the 50th Salmon Festival parade in Richmond. Their float won third place among 107 participating groups. Crowds of people went to see the parade.
Richmond has a large Chinese Canadian community in the Vancouver area, and many immigrants from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan went to see the parade. The Falun Gong parade procession was composed of three themes. The first was "What Is Falun Gong." A banner saying "Falun Gong" and another saying "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" in both Chinese and English headed the procession. A well-decorated float followed the banners. A board saying "Falun Dafa" in English was placed at the front of the float. Written on the sides of the float was "Falun Dafa Benefits Health and Mind. It Has Spread to More Than 60 Countries. Free Exercise Teaching" in Chinese and English. Contact information was also written on both sides of the float. On the float were models of the book Zhuan Falun and a colorful Falun. Two women Falun Gong practitioners, dressed in traditional costume, demonstrated the meditation. Nine other practitioners demonstrated other exercises in the parade procession.
The second theme was "Falun Dafa Is Great." Following the banner, "Falun Dafa Is Great," was a waist drum team, which added a unique touch to the parade. About forty Falun Gong practitioners dressed in yellow costumes and in high spirit, played waist drums in uniform rhythm. The audience was deeply touched by their exciting drum playing; they waved at them, clapped to the drum rhythm and rewarded them with warm applause.
The third theme was "Thank You For Your Support." Chinese traditional dance and fan dance performance followed the drum team. In front of each dance team was a banner saying "Thank You for Your Support of Falun Gong" and "Falun Dafa Brings a Bright Future."
The audience was very excited to see the Falun Gong parade. They happily accepted truth clarification materials, including Chinese Americans. They waved and smiled at Falun Gong practitioners to show their friendliness and recognition.
A parade viewer originally from China said, "The Falun Gong parade was the most magnificent today. The waist drum was the most exciting. And you had most number of participants." Another Chinese said, "Your performance today is even better than last year's. The dances were beautiful! I am looking forward to more performances!"
The local newspaper, Richmond News, reported on the parade on the front page and publish a large photo.
Photo of parade on the front page of local newspaper.
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