(Clearwisdom.net) On October 9, 2005, Falun Gong practitioners participated in the Columbus Day Parade in St. Louis, Missouri. The parade went through the Italian community and the passionate spectators met first-time participant Falun Gong with warm applause and cheers.

Falun Gong entry in the parade

Exercise demonstration wins applause and cheers.

Seeing the exercises demonstrated on the float, many people felt a strong interest in this ancient Chinese practice. Because most of the spectators wanted to get a flyer about Falun Gong, the practitioners passing out the materials fell way behind the float. Even when the parade finished and the practitioners walked back, they were stopped by spectators asking for introductory materials about Falun Gong.

People show strong interest in Falun Gong

Practitioners also had a booth at the celebration to clarify the truth about the persecution in China and ask for help to rescue the Falun Gong orphans in China.