(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a march in the U.S. capital, Washington DC, on July 20, 2023 to protest the Chinese Communist Party’ (CCP) 24-year-long persecution.
The Tian Guo Marching Band led the march. Accompanied by uplifting music, the march started from the National Mall, moved along Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue, and then returned to the National Mall. The whole route was 1.1 miles and took an hour and a half. Practitioners distributed leaflets to passers-by along the way, introducing Falun Gong.
Practitioners held a march in Washington DC on July 20, 2023 to tell people about the 24 year long persecution.
Robert worked at Columbia University and is now a neuropsychologist. He started practicing Falun Dafa when he was 16 years old and has now practiced for nearly 20 years. He said he tried other practice schools before selecting Falun Dafa.
He said, “Practicing Falun Dafa has made me a better person. After reading the books on Falun Dafa, I found that many puzzling questions in life have answers. I realized that this is the best practice.”
Robert comes to Washington DC to participate in the July 20 rally almost every year. He wants more people to know about Falun Dafa, because in China, the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa has entered its 24th year, and many people are still misled by the CCP’s lies and slander.
Scott Brown has practiced Falun Dafa for 22 years. In order to participate in this rally, he drove for more than ten hours from Maine on the northeastern border of the United States to Washington DC.
Scott Brown first heard about Falun Dafa at the beginning of the persecution. At that time, the CCP fabricated lies to slander Falun Dafa all over the world, but he was not affected by them. He said that this practice is powerful and helps people become physically and mentally healthy. Scott says he's personally experienced the benefits.
He also expressed his admiration for the practitioners in China who persevere despite the persecution.
Will and Joanne said the key is to let more people know about the persecution.
Will and Joanne sat on a bench and watched as practitioners prepared to depart. Will said he's heard of Dafa and the persecution. “The more you know, the more you understand people and you have more empathy for them. People should have freedom of speech and freedom of belief. Those in power should allow it,” he said.
Joanne said, “The persecution should not happen to anyone. I feel sorry and sad to hear that they are being persecuted.” She said that everyone should know about the persecution, “Most people are good, and when they know the truth, they will do well. The key is to tell them the truth, tell them what happened.”
Tracy’s family likes the march.
People from various countries were visiting Washington DC and saw the march. Tracy’s family was very pleasantly surprised when they saw such a spectacular march. Tracy said, “I think the march is really great. It is also a good opportunity to learn about (Falun Gong).” Holding a flyer, she said that she would learn more about it when she returned home.
Her daughter Ady said, “I have never seen such a spectacular march, it's really beautiful. There are also all kinds of different music, which is really good.”
Monica said she hopes to see more Falun Dafa marches.
Monica from Mexico City was touring Washington DC and said she saw practitioners parade in Mexico. She said, “I like it. [The march] is very unique and refreshing.” She hopes to see more Falun Dafa parades in the future.
Jackson encourages practitioners to keep up their efforts.
Jackson lived in China before and knows the CCP’s persecution of human rights. He is very supportive of practitioners and said, “Keep going, keep doing it, don’t give up.”