(Minghui.org) All over the country, Falun Dafa practitioners participated in Independence Day parades. Today, we highlight the parade in Philadelphia, the birthplace of The Declaration of Independence, and the Bristol Parade in Rhode Island, the oldest Independence Day parade in the U.S. We also take a look at two parades on the West Coast, in San Diego, California and Everett, Washington.

Philadelphia: “They are fantastic”

While Falun Dafa is violently suppressed in China, its home country, practitioners in the land of the free continue to fight for their fellow practitioners. On Independence Day, practitioners want to remind people from Benjamin Franklin's hometown that millions of Chinese continue to suffer under a lack of freedom and basic human rights.

More than 100 groups, totaling 6000 participants, marched in the parade starting from Independence Hall in the morning. Falun Dafa's waist drum team, dressed in bright yellow traditional Chinese costumes, drew attention in the parade. They have been invited to perform in this parade for 15 years in a row.

Falun Gong's waist drum team in Philadelphia's Independence Day Parade

Beth Cientz, a resident of Philadelphia, applauded Falun Dafa. “They are fantastic. They should lead the parade. Everybody has genuine smiles. The drum playing touches me,” she said. “We should let everybody know about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China. It must be stopped.”

Practitioners also attended events after the parade on Benjamin Franklin Avenue, where they introduced the ancient Chinese cultivation practice to the public, demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises, and performed traditional Chinese dances.

Bristol, Rhode Island: The Oldest 4th of July Celebration

At the 230th 4th of July celebration this year, the Falun Dafa Association of Rhode Island was again invited to participate in the parade.

The team consisted of over 20 Falun Dafa practitioners from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The march began with banners that read “Truthfulness-Compassion- Forbearance,” “Falun Dafa in Rhode Island,” and “Falun Dafa is Good.”

Ten practitioners dressed as celestial maidens followed the banners, holding delicate flowers handcrafted by practitioners. The march was accompanied by the Falun Dafa music of “Pu Du” and “Ji Shi.”

Falun Dafa in the Independence Day Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island

The Rhode Island parade route stretched 2.5 miles long and attracted around 100,000 spectators. Many of the participants come from other states and even other countries. Falun Dafa practitioners were the only Chinese group in the parade.

When practitioners passed by the main stage, the speaker briefly introduced Falun Dafa as a traditional meditation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness- Compassion-Forbearance. He also mentioned that it is banned and harshly persecuted in China.

San Diego: “They are beautiful”

The Falun Dafa float in San Diego won the second place in the Coronado parade this year. Falun Dafa has won awards almost every year since they began participating in 2004.

Falun Dafa float in the Coronado 4^th of July parade in San Diego, California

The Coronado 4^th of July parade is one of the oldest in the country, with a history of 130 years. About 50,000 people watch it every year.

The Falun Dafa float featured lotus flowers and practitioners dressed as celestial maidens, who demonstrated Dafa exercises.

Mr. Xuan, an elderly Chinese immigrant, watched the parade with his family. “I love seeing Falun Gong participate every year. They are beautiful. I am glad to see a Chinese group in the parade. I hope they continue to come,” he said.

Everett, Washington: “Their drum playing radiates positive energy”

More than 20,000 people enjoyed practitioners' waist drum performance in Everett, Washington.

Falun Gong in the Independence Day Parade in Everett, Washington

Most practitioners in the parade came from Seattle. Ms. Li, who had just come from China a month ago, could not hold back her tears when she saw such a large Chinese group in the parade.

“You cannot see such a beautiful performance in China. Their drum playing radiates positive energy,” Ms. Li said, “and they are being tortured in China. But here, they can freely practice their belief. I am glad for them. I am also proud of the American people, who value freedom and human rights.”

Ms. Li followed the Falun Dafa group for more than half of the parade. She said, “I hope all the overseas Falun Dafa practitioners will keep up their belief, and spread the spirit of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to the whole world. I also wish that someday in the near future, people inside China will be able to enjoy Falun Gong's performance.”

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