(Minghui.org) Practitioners participated in the National Night Out Against Crime in Manhattan on August 4, 2026, to introduce Falun Dafa. Families gathered for this annual community-building campaign held in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The practitioners demonstrated the exercises, and gave taiko drum and traditional Chinese string instrument performances. Many people talked with practitioners, read the information, and asked questions to learn more about Falun Dafa and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. After the exercise demo ended, an event host called out, “Falun Dafa is good!”
A Falun Dafa exercise demonstration during the National Night Out Against Crime Event in Manhattan on August 4 (Minghui.org)
Taiko drum performance (Minghui.org)
Visitors talk with practitioners and learn about Falun Dafa. (Minghui.org)
Launched in 1984, National Night Out is an annual community event in the United States designed to strengthen ties between residents and first responders (police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel), fostering neighborly cooperation, and building safe, harmonious communities. The event was organized by the NYPD’s 7th Precinct, which is primarily responsible for law enforcement in New York City’s Chinatown. On that day, the NYPD hosted similar community events simultaneously at more than 70 locations across the city’s five boroughs.
Learning From Each Other
Elaine Hoffman first learned about Falun Dafa from her neighbors. She was incredulous when she discovered that practitioners have been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for over 20 years.
“They [practitioners] simply want to meditate, seek inner peace, and live their lives quietly. I don’t understand why anyone would feel compelled to persecute others—why do some people insist on crossing boundaries and coercing others?” she said.
Elaine said Falun Dafa is more than a meditation system: “It emphasizes truthfulness and compassion; when you practice this, you discover a completely different experience, one that brings a profound sense of serenity and upliftment.”
Elaine Hoffman (Minghui.org)
“If everyone could live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance advocated by Falun Dafa, the world would certainly be a very different place,” she remarked and added that she that liked the event very much. “Forget about racial labels! Get out into the community and get to know one another better.”
“Powerful and Uplifting”
Isa Rodriguez, who occasionally practices Tai chi, was very interested in Falun Dafa. He was glad to hear that the exercise movements were easy to learn, and that practitioners live by Falun Dafa’s teachings. “It is always good to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” he explained.
Isa Rodriguez
Isa was surprised to hear about the CCP’s suppression, “I find it deeply disturbing; in my view, the world shouldn’t be like this. I believe everyone should be able to openly and freely practice whatever beliefs and philosophies they hold,” he said.
“When they cannot do so, it is, in a sense, a tragedy for the world. Because everyone carries within them a part of their culture, beliefs, and music—and I consider culture to be essentially art, music, dance, and cuisine—and they should be able to express themselves freely, without persecution or judgment,” he added.
He also took a group picture with the young practitioners who played the taiko drums. “The sound of their drumming was incredibly stirring. It felt as if they were telling a story through the drums. Powerful and uplifting—if I had to describe it in just two words, those would be the ones,” Rodriguez said.
Inner Peace
Janeka followed along when practitioners demonstrated the exercises, and said, “To me, they are very beautiful with inner peace. It is a great feeling to be part of this.”
She lives in the neighborhood and said she sees practitioners doing the exercises in a park every morning. “The movements are slow and synchronized. Very graceful. I always wanted to join them, but I have to go to work,” she said.
She said she feels that Falun Dafa’s guiding principles, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, are very important. “I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always strived to stay positive and full of good energy. Seeing them putting this into practice is truly inspiring to me, as it mirrors the way I aim to live my own life—adjusting my energy and sharing that positivity with the people around me.”
She said National Night Out is a great opportunity for people to stay connected. “I believe we are all God’s children,” Janeka explained. “Where we come from or what culture we belong to doesn’t matter. We share the same goals: caring for our families and pursuing love and peace. Differences in language or skin color make no difference; as long as there is peace and love between people, that is enough.”
That is why she found the event heartwarming. “Everyone is gathered here today—there is no violence, no conflict. A good community is a rare treasure; once you find one, you should cherish it,” she added.
Janeka said she was saddened to hear about the CCP’s persecution. “In many parts of the world, people are forced to hide their faith. Fortunately, here in the United States, they can freely uphold their beliefs and practice their exercises without fear of persecution. I hope for a better world—one where everyone, wherever they may be, can enjoy freedom of belief.”
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