(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in the San Francisco Bay Area participated in the 174^th St Patrick’s Day Parade held on March 15, 2025.

Practitioners participated in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Francisco on March 15, 2025.

This was the practitioners’ largest entry in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and included exercise demonstrations, waist drum performances, the Tian Guo Marching Band and a beautifully decorated float. Many people said that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is beautiful after learning about Falun Dafa, and some helped practitioners hand out information along the parade route.

Parade Organizers Thank Practitioners

When practitioners marched past the main stage, the emcee said, “The group approaching now is Falun Dafa practitioners, they have exercise demonstrations, waist drum performances, a float and the Tian Guo Marching Band.

“This is the 15^th year in a row they’ve participated in our parade. Their procession is so lovely. Thank you Falun Dafa, let us give them a round of applause.”

We Need Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance More Than Ever

Minna and her husband Sami from Finland praised Falun Dafa.

Minna from Finland was visiting San Francisco and said it was the first time she has seen Falun Dafa practitioners in a parade, “They look splendid. I love Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, it is wonderful.”

Her husband Sami said, “This group is amazing, refreshing and moving. We need Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance more than ever. Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is profound, they are important values.”

You Are Doing a Remarkable Deed

High school students Luca (left), Jack (center) and Jacob (right) were amazed by how peaceful practitioners appeared in the parade. They helped the practitioners hand out fliers along the route.

Three high school students were happy to see the practitioners and loved learning about Falun Dafa. When they learned that the practice is based on Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, they thought the principles are amazing and asked for fliers to hand out to spectators.

Jack said, “I love Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. I try my best to spread kindness in society, this brings people happiness, lessen suffering. Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance makes people positive and society better.”

He thought the group “was magnificent, very organized. I understand people can find out more about Falun Dafa online at falundafa.org. There are practitioners in many places and it’s free to learn.”

His classmate Jacob Hage said, “I like the calm energy that Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance gives me, they make the world a better place. Falun Dafa is a great organization, you are doing a remarkable deed.”

Luca from Honolulu is studying in San Francisco and said, “I hope to improve my health and soul through this practice. I love the colors in the procession, the yellow color is calming. You are doing a good thing for the community, you are helping many people.”

When he learned that practitioners in China are being persecuted, Jack said, “I think the persecution is wrong, people should have freedom of belief.” Jacob agreed, and said, “This persecution is a huge mistake.”

Jacob Hage, a high school student in San Francisco, followed practitioners in the parade and gave out Falun Dafa fliers to people.

Jacob Hage gave out Falun Dafa fliers and asked where he can learn the exercises in San Francisco. He kept a pamphlet for himself.

When asked why he wanted to help hand out fliers, he said. “I think Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is a wonderful message—it’s something worth passing on. You are telling people a beautiful thing, it will help a lot of people.”

Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance Are Beautiful

Chanel Godoy, a first year student at San Francisco State University, hopes that more people will hear about Falun Dafa.

Chanel Godoy, a first year student at San Francisco State University, said that she thought Falun Dafa practitioners were outstanding in the parade, “The colors are splendid. Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is beautiful, I felt these values being demonstrated when I observed them in the parade.”

She added, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is extremely profound, the world should come together—we need universal love, not hatred.”

It was the first time that she'd heard of Falun Dafa and said. “I think more people should know about this wonderful practice.”

Richard said he loves Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.

This was the first time Richard had heard of Falun Dafa and he said loves Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, “I think it brings people calm and peace.” When he learned that the Chinese Communist Party is persecuting Falun Dafa and that practitioners in China cannot practice freely, he said, “That’s terrible, people should have freedom of belief.”

Bivek, a tourist from Nepal, and his wife.

Bivek from Nepal is on a vacation in America, and said he loved the Falun Dafa practitioners’ entry in the parade, “I think we need Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. It’s great that you are telling people about this spiritual practice. We especially love the waist drum performance. The women look joyous, full of vitality, we were fascinated by the drumming.”

Andrea (right) and his friend Isabel (left) joined practitioners in doing the exercises when they saw them demonstrating the movements.

Andrea and his friend Isabel began to learn the exercises after seeing practitioners demonstrate them in the parade. Andrea said, “This procession is amazing. I’m delighted to see Falun Dafa practitioners in the parade. Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is wonderful, these principles benefit the world.”

Isabel said, “The energy field is strong, we will definitely follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. They bring goodness to the world, everyone should follow them, everyone should have the right to freedom of belief.”

Sue, who lives in San Francisco, said the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance resonate with her.

Sue, who lives in San Francisco, said that she is a Buddhist, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance resonate with me. I’d never heard of Falun Dafa, so I will go online to find out more. I love their vibrant colors, the float is beautiful too, it is the most beautiful float I’ve seen.”

This Persecution Is Wrong

Khem Bista said the persecution is wrong.

Khem Bista, who lives in San Francisco, loved the practitioners’ performances, and said, “Falun Dafa is great, the lotus flowers on the float look good.” He was shocked to learn the CCP continues to persecute the practice and said, “The persecution is wrong, people should have freedom.”

Mr. Huoi from Vietnam said he loves Falun Dafa’s principles – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.

Mr. Huoi said that he’s heard of Falun Dafa, “They look amazing, bright colors, I love the principles, it is a great practice.”