(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from more than 10 states in the central U.S. gathered in Chicago, the third-largest city in the U.S., and held a march in Chinatown on August 5, 2023. They introduced Falun Dafa and called for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 24-year-long persecution.

The march was led by a banner team, followed by a Tang Waist Drum Team, a float, an exercise demonstration team, and practitioners dressed in white who mourned practitioners who were persecuted to death by the CCP. Next came practitioners carrying banners and signs calling to end the persecution, and congratulating the Chinese people who renounced their memberships in the CCP and its affiliated organizations.

March in Chicago’s Chinatown on August 5, 2023.

We Support Falun Dafa

Sharon Newton and her son support Falun Dafa.

Sharon Newton from Chicago said that she learned about the persecution of Falun Dafa from American Public Radio and the New York Times. “We support Falun Dafa, and we support freedom of religion, freedom of thought, and freedom of speech,” she said.

“We are isolated in our own American world. (This event) reminds us of the freedom and rights that each of us has, and I support it,” she commented.

The Gallegos family support practitioners’ efforts to expose the persecution. Sheila Gallegos is second from the right in the photo.

The Gallegos family is from Minnesota. Sheila Gallegos works for the St. Paul city government. She said excitedly, “The parade is beautiful. It’s great!”

Sheila said that her entire family knows how terrible communism is. They took a group photo to express their support for practitioners and their protesting the persecution. They also said they were interested in learning how to practice Falun Dafa.

Lonnie Clemens takes photos of the march.

Lonnie Clemens lives in Springfield, the capital of Illinois. He came to Chicago’s Chinatown to take pictures that day, and the parade caught his attention. He said that he is a military veteran, and heard of the persecution of Falun Dafa, “Especially the CCP’s crime of organ harvesting.” Lonnie said, “God created man in his own image, and we must love and respect each other because we are all images of God in different ways.”

Rashi Ross and Mary Ross

The Ross couple showed great interest in both the Falun Dafa parade and the spiritual practice itself. They said they were happy to learn about this during their trip to Chicago.

Mr. Ross said, “Communism always wants to suppress us, and we cannot support it.” They wished to do something to help end the CCP and said that they would learn more about Falun Dafa when they return to Ohio.

Sophia (left) and Hailui (right) from Wisconsin

Sophia and Hailui from Wisconsin were visiting Chinatown with their friends and took a video of the practitioners’ march.

Sophia said that she was sad to hear of the persecution, “It shouldn’t have happened.”

A rally was held in front of the Chinese Consulate in Chicago to protest the CCP’s persecution.

After the march in Chinatown, practitioners gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate in Chicago. They read the letters of public support for Falun Dafa from several Senators and House Representatives from Midwest states, condemning the CCP’s persecution and forced organ harvesting.

Falun Dafa Is Uplifting

Mary Manthey participated in the march.

Mary Manthey from Michigan practices Falun Dafa and said that she was happy to participate in the parade in Chinatown, and tell people how wonderful Falun Dafa is.

She said, “Practicing Falun Dafa has benefited me a lot. I used to feel a lot of pressure. I was anxious and even went through a period of depression. But through practicing and with the support of other practitioners, I managed to get through it.”

Lana Rees participated in the march.

“I want to share Falun Dafa with people!” said Lana Rees, a Falun Dafa practitioner from Michigan. “I hope that Chinese people can get rid of their misunderstandings and learn the truth about Falun Dafa and cultivation.”

Lana said that before she practiced she always had questions about the meaning of life, “What is the purpose of being a human being? Why are we here? My life as a human should not only be for this material world, work, and family.”

After practicing Falun Dafa for more than 20 years, Lana found the answers to all her questions. “I understand that we came here to improve our character.” She believes that real cultivation, “comes from inner self-discipline, not relying on external influences.”