(Minghui.org) In anticipation of positive changes to come in 2014, more than 30 thousand people joined together for a parade on New Year's Day in Hong Kong. The event was organized by the Hong Kong Civil Human Rights Front and Alliance for True Democracy.
The organizer arranged a special lane for the Falun Gong group. Enormous Falun Gong banners and spirited performances by the Divine Land Marching Band impressed the crowd.
“Touching, very touching. I am out of words,” said a middle-aged man as he videotaped the band. “Every note moves my heart.”
Falun Gong group in the parade
Exposing the persecution of Falun Gong
Supporting the Chinese withdrawals from the communist party
Marching for a Better Future
The Falun Gong entry was led by the Divine Land Marching Band, followed by a series of large banners that informed the public about the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party, including recent cases of harassment in Hong Kong.
Mr. Jian Hongzhang, chair of the Falun Gong Association in Hong Kong, said that the New Year parade in Hong Kong was a good place for people to call for improvements. “Falun Gong practitioners are concerned about the future of Hong Kong, so we participated in the parade,” he said.
“We hope to present the goodness of Falun Gong and its teachings of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to the people, and expose the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China,” Mr. Jian said. “We also hope Chinese people will recognize the evil nature of the Communist Party, and renounce their memberships in it.”
Support for Falun Gong
Chu Wanchi, a Taiwanese human rights lawyer, came to Hong Kong for the parade. She believes that the primary culprits in the persecution of Falun Gong, especially those involved in organ harvesting, will soon be brought to justice.
Mr. Feng, a Hong Kong citizen who participated in the parade, supports Falun Gong. “Since the Communist Party has made lots of propaganda attacking Falun Gong, Falun Gong should actively tell the public the truth. Once Hong Kong people learn the truth, they will support Falun Gong too,” Mr. Feng said, “A handful thugs, manipulated by the Communist Party, have tried to suppress Falun Gong in Hong Kong. They are not supported by us.”
Mr. Li, a Hong Kong citizen, hopes that more people in Hong Kong will have the courage to stand up for Falun Gong. “Falun Gong practitioners are trying to protect Hong Kong and the whole China. The Communist Party is ruthless and will surely collapse soon,” he said.
Tourists From Mainland China Learn the Facts
Chinese tourists read informational materials about the persecution of Falun Gong.
The New Year parade is also a good opportunity for tourists from China to learn the truth about Falun Gong. Many Chinese tourists watched the parade, and accepted materials from practitioners. Some even decided to withdraw their memberships from the Communist Party as a result of the encounter.
Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Canrong said that many Chinese people have already learned the truth, and are eager to quit the Party. When she greeted them and asked them if they wanted to quit the Party, they didn't hesitate. Some young people read or photographed every display board.
New Year Greetings to the Founder of Falun Gong
On the morning of New Year's Day, before the parade, Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong gathered at Central Square to offer New Year greetings to Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong. The practitioners also performed music to celebrate the New Year and show appreciation for the many blessings Falun Gong brings to them and their families.
Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong wish Master Li Hongzhi a Happy New Year.
The Divine Land Marching Band performs before the New Year parade starts.
