(Minghui.org) Thousands of people gathered in downtown Winchester, Virginia, to watch the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Parade on May 6, 2023. Falun Dafa practitioners’ float and waist drum team were invited to participate for the second time.

Falun Dafa practitioners in the annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia on May 6

Ms. Cassandra Richard, who was sitting with her family, waved to practitioners as they passed by.

Ms. Richard said she remembered meeting them for the first time last year. “I read a report on Falun Dafa in a magazine that mentioned how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is persecuting practitioners. It also mentioned that the CCP is doing forced live organ harvesting on them because of their healthy bodies. That is horrendous.

“I saw practitioners for the first time last year during this parade and I thought, ‘Can these be the same Falun Dafa practitioners that I read about in the article?’ True enough, when I researched it, it was indeed the same group of people! Has the persecution ended?”

A practitioner told her that the persecution is still going on. Ms. Richard said she was happy but sad to see Falun Dafa practitioners again. “I am very happy to encounter you today. I hope that you will be happy and enjoy the blooming apple blossoms. However, I am also sad to learn that the persecution still exists. That is unacceptable!”

Ms. Richard said that she would sign the petition online to help end the persecution when she returned home that evening.

Ms. Cassandra Richard waved to practitioners as their procession passed.

Mr. Walter Jinks is the general manager of an upscale hotel. He said that practitioners came early to get ready for the parade. He enjoyed the waist drum performance and said that he watched their rehearsals before the parade started.

Mr. Jinks said, “Even though I’ve never heard of Falun Dafa, I can tell that practitioners are wonderful people. I like the colors, the music, and everything else they’ve brought along today. It is very important that they brought us the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance today!”

He accepted a flyer about Falun Dafa and a lotus flower with the words Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance written on it after someone told him about the persecution of the practice in China. Walter said, “I know these people are unable to do these exercises in their home country. It is great that theyare here in Winchester to demonstrate and show us these exercises. I am proud and happy for them.”

Walter Jinks, general manager of an upscale hotel, next to practitioners’ float

It was the first time many people had heard about Falun Dafa, and many asked for informational flyers. Several practitioners told of their firsthand experiences of the persecution as the parade passed. People were sympathetic and extended their good wishes that more would learn about the persecution. Some spectators copied practitioners’ exercise movements on the float, while other clapped to the music “Falun Dafa Is Good” and eagerly asked for flyers.

Falun Dafa practitioners tell spectators about their firsthand experiences of the CCP’s persecution.

Falun Dafa practitioners at the annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival

Spectators copied practitioners’ exercises movements.

People read Falun Dafa flyers.

As the Falun Dafa practitioners’ procession passed by the podium, the local organizer announced, “Falun Dafa is a traditional cultivation practice consisting of five exercises. Practitioners also follow the universe’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” He also mentioned the Falun Dafa.org website.

Mr. Barry Cooper, the former Apple Blossom Festival Committee chairman, saw the parade with his wife. When the Falun Dafa procession passed by, he said, “This is wonderful! Absolutely gorgeous! The colors are so vibrant! It’s one of a kind.” He also remarked on how good it was for “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” to be written on the banner.

Mr. Barry Cooper and his wife had good things to say about the practitioners’ entry.

A young Chinese man ran up and applauded the practitioners. He said that he was from Guangdong, China and was studying for his doctorate in the United States.

He said, “I know Falun Dafa has saved a lot of people. Many people’s illnesses were resolved. There are many such examples in my hometown of Guangdong.” He asked for a flyer and said he hoped more people would learn about Falun Dafa.