(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a grand parade in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on May 30, 2021. They gathered to celebrate the annual World Falun Dafa Day and the 29th anniversary of the day that Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, first introduced the practice to the public in China. Mayor Steve Lussier of Sherbrooke sent a handwritten card to extend his congratulations. Passersby enjoyed the parade and welcomed the principles of Falun Dafa: Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.

Practitioners held a grand parade in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Steve Lussier, Mayor of Sherbrooke, congratulated the practitioners with a handwritten card. He wrote, “Please allow me to congratulate the 22nd World Falun Dafa Day. On this special day I wish you and your celebration to be accompanied with our best wishes.”

Steve Lussier, Mayor of Sherbrooke City, sent practitioners a handwritten card and wished them the best on the 22nd World Falun Dafa Day.

The parade started off at Parc Jacques-Cartier and went through major streets in the city. The Tian Guo Marching Band led the parade, followed by practitioners holding banners, while other practitioners demonstrated the exercises. At the end of the parade was a motorcade carrying signs with information about Falun Dafa and about the ongoing persecution of practitioners in China. The parade ended at Marché de la Gare, where the practitioners demonstrated the exercises and distributed information to passersby.

Practitioners held a grand parade in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on May 30, 2021, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and the 29th anniversary of the day the practice was first introduced to the public in China.

The city of Sherbrooke is located in southern Quebec. It is blessed by beautiful scenery with mountains and rivers. Local practitioner Ms. Mongeau coordinated the event. She hopes that the citizens of Sherbrooke will learn how wonderful Falun Dafa is.

Ms. Mongeau, one of the parade organizers, hopes to share the benefits of practicing Falun Dafa with the citizens of Sherbrooke.

“Practicing Falun Dafa improved my health tremendously. When I was young I had a lot of health issues such as dysfunctional thyroid and anxiety,” said Ms. Mongeau. The practice changed her life. Her illnesses disappeared and by following the principles she understood how to get along with others in her everyday life. “We truly hope to share Falun Dafa with the local residents so that they can benefit from the practice,” she said.

The parade caught the media’s attention. La Tribune did a report on the event titled “Fanfare festive pour la journée mondiale du Falun Dafa (Festive Marching Band for World Falun Dafa Day).”

Sherbrooke's local media La Tribune reported on the event with an article titled “Fanfare festive pour la journée mondiale du Falun Dafa.”

Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance Is the Value Everyone Should Have

Several passersby who watched the parade praised Falun Dafa and said it was “beautiful,” “peaceful,” “cheerful,” and “brings good energy.”

“Marvelous! We should cheer for them,” said Ms. Turcotte after watching the parade. She thought the parade brought Sherbrooke peace and joy. “The parade filled the city with a festive atmosphere. The colors are amazing- yellow, gold, burgundy, unbelievable colors. You don’t want to miss the parade. It makes you happy, very cheerful!”

Ms. Turcotte praises the principles of Falun Dafa.

Watching such a magnificent parade made Ms. Turcotte wonder what Falun Dafa was. After learning that practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance in their everyday life to improve their physical and mental fitness, she praised the principles.

“I think these are the values everyone should have. They are the values we should uphold in our everyday lives. I agree very much!” she said.

People Should Learn More about Falun Dafa

Sherbrooke resident Ms. Jacinthe (right), said that people should learn more about Falun Dafa because it is good.

Ms. Jacinthe walked with the parade from the beginning to the end and said, “The parade is wonderful. It brings about and shares the belief of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. With what's going on in the world now, Falun Dafa's principles allow people to care for others.”

She happily accepted a lotus flower that said “Falun Dafa is Good,” and immediately hung it in her car. She said, “Falun Dafa is indeed good, and people should learn more about it because we all want to have compassion in our hearts.”

Ms. Kimberly said watching the parade filled her with happiness.

Ms. Kimberly took the flier that a practitioner handed her. After knowing that Falun Dafa could help people improve their mental fitness, she said that it could help people during the pandemic. “Just watching the parade filled me with happiness. I really want to join them,” she said.

Pride of Asian People

Ms. Kun Parc is from Cambodia. She happily watched the parade from her front door and said, “Everything is charming, especially the Tian Guo Marching Band's music.” The culture embedded in the parade, the exercises, and the costumes seemed especially incredible to her. “The parade is the pride of Asian people,” she said.

Ms. Parc saw practitioners doing the exercises in the local park and learned how to do them. “When I tried the exercises, I felt great. My heart lightened up. Falun Dafa is good!”

Falun Dafa Brings Me Out of Darkness

It was the first time that Grace participated in a Falun Dafa parade. “It feels fantastic,” she said after the parade. She only recently became a practitioner.

Grace said that Falun Dafa helped her to look at the world in a new light.

Seven months ago Grace moved to Quebec from France. She felt like a misfit in the new environment and became depressed. A friend introduced her to Falun Dafa.

“I feel better each time after I exercise. Even the people around me are friendlier and I have more energy. There is less negativity in life and I am happier.”

She said that all the practitioners she met were kind and carried wonderful energy. She began to take part in more activities and her mood brightened.

Grace said practicing Falun Dafa allowed her to look at the world in a new light and led her out of darkness. “Falun Dafa offered me tremendous help. The beautiful energy guides me towards a bright direction.”