(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners participated in the 65th Seafair Torchlight Parade, one of the best known parades in the country, on the evening of July 26, 2014. There were nearly 120 entries this year. About 300,000 spectators watched the parade along the 2.5 mile-long parade route in downtown Seattle, and about 700,000 watched the parade via TV live coverage.
The practitioners' bright and colorful Fa boat, the uplifting drum performance and peaceful and graceful exercise demonstration added to the splendor of the parade. The parade marshal exclaimed, "Thank you so much for participating!"
When the procession marched past the main stage, the host enthusiastically introduced Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) to the spectators. Guests seated on the main stage, including government officials, sports stars and celebrities, waved light sticks to salute the practitioners. Some Chinese guests waved and shouted together with others, "Falun Dafa is great!"
The beauty and majesty of the Falun Gong procession attracted the attention of many spectators, who learned about Falun Gong for the first time. Out of curiosity, they asked many questions. They found it hard to believe and felt indignant that such a wonderful group of people has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for 15 years in China, and the Chinese regime has even gone so far as to harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners.
They expressed their support for the practitioners' efforts to end the persecution. Some Chinese people learned about how cruel the CCP is and decided to quit it and its affiliated organizations. Some asked practitioners to have a photo taken with their families.
Falun Gong procession at the Seafair Torchlight Parade in Seattle on July 27, 2014
Brilliant Fa Boat Shines on the Parade Route
The Falun Gong procession featured a Fa boat, waist drum troupe and practitioners holding banners. The Fa boat has become a highlight in the ten years that Falun Gong practitioners have participated in the parade. It won the "Innovation Award" and "Best Workmanship Award" in 2007 and 2009, respectively.
This year's Fa boat was in light purple, graceful and majestic. On the boat, seven practitioners of different nationalities and ages demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, reflecting the fact that it has been spread all over the world and has benefited people of different countries and all ages.
The practitioners' procession started off around 9:10 p.m., with the lighted Falun Dafa boat slowly moving forward, as if it were floating in the clouds and descending from the heaven.
Drumming Touches People's Hearts
Following the Fa boat was the waist drum troupe, composed of more than 40 practitioners. The drummers, including teenagers and practitioners in their 70s, all smiled and were in high spirits, marching down the streets to the music of "Falun Dafa Is Good" and "Celebrations." Their orderly procession and energetic and joyful performance impressed the spectators.
In addition, practitioners who held banners reading "Falun Dafa," "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," and "The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" smiled and waved to the spectators.
Wherever the procession went, there were warm applause and cheers, and many people shouting, "Falun Dafa," "I love your smiles." Many people followed along with practitioners doing the exercises or playing the drums. Children learned to do the Heshi gesture (two palms together in front of the chest to show respect) and kept waving to the practitioners. Some spectators left their seats and ran toward the procession to take pictures, and some made thumbs-up gestures to the practitioners, and clapped along to the rhythm of the music.
"I Support You! I'll Do My Part to Stop the Persecution"
Brandon from California learned about Falun Gong when he was a college student. He said, "I'm very sad, such a good practice has been persecuted in China to such an extent, and (Falun Gong practitioners) have even had their organs harvested when they were still alive! All this should stop!"
He accepted an introductory brochure about Falun Gong from a practitioner, and said that he would read it carefully and pass it to his friends after he got back. He said finally, "I'm very supportive of you! I'd like to do my part to stop the persecution."
Pete Bauer, a Mexican-American from Renton, had tears that welled up upon hearing that Falun Gong is being brutally persecuted in China and practitioners even had their organs harvested, "Unbelievable! You're remarkable!" He said. He and his two friends attentively listened to the practitioner and said that they had a worthwhile trip. He took down the address of the Falun Dafa website and said that he would get online and get more information.
An elderly Chinese couple, who had just come to Seattle from Guizhou Province, China, watched the practitioners' waist drum troupe rehearse for nearly an hour. They were amazed that practitioners of different ages play drums to introduce traditional Chinese culture, and they were especially impressed that some of the practitioners who were once persecuted in China for their belief did not have sadness and grief on their faces, but only tenacity and high spirits.
The couple learned more about how brutal the CCP is in persecuting Falun Gong practitioners, and finally asked a practitioner to help them quit the CCP organizations.
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