(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate in the Derby Days Parade in Redmond, Washington on July 15, 2023.
The parade is held every two years, and is one of the city’s signature events. Many spectators watched the practitioners’ procession, and some accepted Falun Dafa informational fliers. Some Chinese spectators accepted materials about withdrawing from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its youth organizations. There were also Chinese spectators who withdrew from the Party.
Falun Dafa practitioners from Seattle and Canada formed the waist-drum team and performed “Falun Dafa is Good,” “Joyous Celebration,” “Heavens Disintegrate The CCP,” and “New China March.” This was the first return visit by Falun Dafa practitioners since their participation in the city’s parade 10 years ago.
Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the Derby Days Parade in Redmond, Washington on July 15, 2023.
The host introduced practitioners when the procession passed by the podium. “Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is a cultivation system that improves the mind and body. The cultivation method includes four standing exercises and one sitting meditation exercise. It teaches people to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, which elevates one's moral standard. Falun Dafa originated in China and has spread to over 100 countries. It is free-of-charge for anyone who wishes to practice it.”
People walked up to practitioners and asked for Falun Dafa informational fliers after watching the parade. Practitioners gave them paper lotus flowers, much to their delight.
A couple from Indonesia enjoyed the waist-drum performance a lot and hoped to see more of it in the future. Chinese spectators also praised the waist-drum performance and said it was great! Some Chinese people withdrew from the CCP and its youth organizations with the help of practitioners.
Practitioners distributed Falun Dafa informational fliers and exquisite lotus flowers. All of the lotus flowers were distributed less than one-third of the way through the parade, and people were excited upon receiving them. They put their palms together, in the heshi position, and bowed to practitioners to show their appreciation. Spectators also reached out for copies of the truth clarification materials.
Angela Birney (first on left) taking a picture with Falun Dafa practitioners
Angela Birney is the mayor of Redmond. Practitioners introduced Falun Dafa to her and how the practice was beneficial for the mind and body. The mayor was happy upon learning about it and took a picture with practitioners.
Practitioners set up a booth and introduced Falun Dafa at Millcreek on July 15, 2023. Many people came to inquire where they could do the exercises.
Streams of people passed by the Falun Dafa booth to check out the informational materials.
Many Chinese passersby came to learn more about Falun Dafa. Unlike in the past when they would shy away from practitioners, Chinese passersby would stop at the booth with their children to get a small lotus flower. Some Chinese said that the CCP’s days are numbered, while some westerners said that they’d gotten information about Falun Dafa from The Epoch Times newspaper. Many of them said that Falun Dafa practitioners are great.