(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate in the National Independence Day Parade held in Washington DC on July 4, 2023. Many spectators praised Falun Dafa, and one man said it is a force for good. Some people said that Falun Dafa conveys the message of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance which is what we need now. The practitioners’ contingent was large and majestic, and Chinese people who watched the parade said that the practitioners made them feel proud.

Practitioners participated in the National Independence Day Parade held in Washington DC on July 4, 2023. Invited by the organizers, practitioners pulled a balloon of Uncle Sam, a well-known U.S. symbol.

Practitioners were invited to participate in the National Independence Day Parade.

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises on the float.

This year marks the 16^th year the Tian Guo Marching Band was chosen to be part of the National Independence Day Parade. It was also the only Chinese marching band in the event. The organizers invited practitioners to celebrate the occasion by pulling a giant character balloon. Several practitioners demonstrated the five sets of exercises on a beautifully decorated float which was adorned on both sides with the message “Falun Dafa is good,” “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” Practitioners dressed as fairy maidens walked alongside the float.

The parade set off at 11:45 a.m from the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street. Spectators along both sides of the street clapped and cheered as the Falun Dafa contingent appeared. Many people took video recordings with their mobile phones to share with friends and family.

Falun Dafa Is a Force For Good

Julian, who lives in Arlington, Virginia, said he’d seen Falun Dafa practitioners many times in the past at the National Mall and in parades. He cheered for them and said, “I think they are excellent. They are a force for good. Their values align with America! That is why I think it’s great that they were invited to participate in the parade.”

Julian said he was aware that practitioners fled the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution in pursuit of religious freedom.

Julian, who lives in Arlington, Virginia, praised Falun Dafa..

“After people see them in the parade, they can go home and do some research on what Falun Dafa is. All they talk about are good things, and I truly agree with the message they convey.”

He said he admired Falun Dafa’s principles, “The message of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance helps people have empathy, respect others, and not be overly harsh and strict with others. This is in line with the values of America. I love it.”

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is Just What We Need

Mike and his family came from central Florida, and he said it was the first time they attended the Independence Day Parade in Washington DC. He was excited when he saw the words, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” on the float, and said, “This is just what we should embrace! This is why we came here, we are all humans.”

Mike, his wife, and son traveled from Florida to see the parade.

Mike said it was also the first time he’d seen Falun Dafa practitioners. “I saw everyone had a smile on their face, they were happy. It is great!”

This was the first time Maite and Matthew from New Jersey saw Falun Dafa practitioners.

Maite and Mathew live in New Jersey and said they loved the Falun Dafa entry in the parade, “The message of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance they promote is just what all of us need,” said Matthew.

Christian, who is from Maryland, said the Falun Dafa group in the parade was spectacular.

Christian, from College Park, Maryland, said, “Spectacular! The message of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance they transmit is just what all of us need.”

Harry, from Arlington, Virginia, said he recorded practitioners marching in the parade with his mobile phone.

This was the first time Harry, who is from Arlington, Virginia, saw Falun Dafa practitioners. He said, “It was a delight to see them. They were wonderful, organized, and marched in synchrony. There was also the beautiful float—the people on the float were outstanding. It was great! I recorded everything on my mobile phone.”

Tara Hall, from Mississippi, was delighted by practitioners’ performance.

It was the first time Tara Hall from Mississippi had seen Falun Dafa practitioners. She clapped in time to their music and said, “It was so beautiful and striking! The drummers in front, all of them were women, I am inspired. The women dressed in fairy maiden costumes, they were beautiful and peaceful.”

Chinese Spectator Proud to See Falun Dafa in the Parade

Many Chinese spectators said the Falun Dafa contingent was majestic and made them proud of their heritage.

Mr. Ying from Shanghai took his grandchildren to the capital city to see the parade. He said Falun Dafa was known throughout the world.

Mr. Ying from Shanghai said he was overjoyed to see Falun Dafa practitioners in the parade.

Mr. Ying said that when the Falun Dafa contingent walked past them, he kept telling his grandchildren, “For a very long time, they have been suppressed in China by the CCP. Yet people all over the world practice Falun Dafa.”

“I am thrilled to see them in the parade!” he said.