(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held parades on August 17 and 23, 2014 in Tainan, a major city in southern Taiwan. Over 500 practitioners marched in the parades through busy central streets, including the local Divine Land Marching Band, a group of waist drummers, dancers and beautifully costumed “celestial maidens.”
Locals welcomed the uplifting music and energetic performances and thanked practitioners for being there for them. The parades occurred days after a series of gas explosion in Kaohsiung, another major city in southern Taiwan, left over 20 people dead and hundreds injured on July 31, 2014.
Divine Land Marching Band parades through the streets of Tainan City
Falun Gong practitioners parade across various townships in Tainan City
Local Residents Delight
A food store owner was clearly moved after seeing the banners of “Falun Dafa is good” and “Heaven blesses Kaohsiung.” The store owner said: “We are still recovering from the gas explosion in Kaohsiung. Thank you for coming here. Thank you for being here in Taiwan.”
Locals appreciate the encouraging messages Falun Gong practitioners convey during the parades. The banner in the picture reads “Heaven blesses Kaohsiung, Go Taiwan!”
Mr. Kuo, a tea shop businessman in Jiali District in Tainan, also liked the parade. He commented: “It looks really good. I heard Falun Gong practitioners discipline themselves to become better people and set high moral standards for themselves.”
“The Chinese Communist Party should not suppress Falun Gong, as they have done nothing wrong. I'm glad you are here today, because people out here do not see your parades often. I hope more people could practice Falun Gong,” he added.
Many people were delighted by the parade and took pictures. Some young men even followed the parade on their bikes.
People taking pictures of the parade
A group of young people follow the parade on their bikes
Mr. Wu was reading in a library when he heard the marching band approach. He immediately came out to look. “I've heard about Falun Gong before and lots of friends of mine practice,” he said. He mentioned that he thought that the parade was well organized.
A group of elderly women chatting in a park saw the parade and went over to watch. After reading the pamphlets handed to them by a practitioner, one of the women turned to her friends and said: “The exercises look so easy. Let’s give a try.” Another lady was very pleased to know that the exercises are taught for free and that there are local practice sites.
Falun Gong practitioners distribute informative materials and hand-made paper lotus flowers to local residents
Restaurant owner Mr. Hong came out to look at the parade. He said: “I've heard about the persecution in China. The Chinese Communist Party always bullies people. I support Falun Gong.”
Mr. Chen, a truck driver, had not seen Falun Gong parades before. “It's very colorful and beautiful!” he exclaimed. He was very sad to hear about the suppression of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Mr. Chen said that the practitioners looked peaceful and energetic walking in the parade. One of his relatives has improved their health through practicing Falun Gong. “I hope to be one of them,” he said.
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