(Minghui.org) The day before the experience-sharing conference in Chicago, Falun Dafa practitioners from eleven Midwest states gathered in Chicago’s Chinatown for a grand parade on August 29, 2026.
The parade featured several sections, including an exercise demonstration, a lotus-shaped float, a waist drum performance, banners featuring Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and other banners calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. Many people watched along the parade route.
As the largest and most influential Chinese community in the Midwestern United States, Chicago’s Chinatown is an important cultural and tourist landmark in the region. Lined with shops and restaurants, it’s also a popular destination for local residents and tourists from around the world.
The parade began at Sun Yat-Sen Park and proceeded along several major streets in Chinatown. The banners carried by practitioners explained the physical and mental benefits of practicing Falun Dafa and its popularity in over 100 countries, and exposed the CCP’s 27-year persecution. Many local residents and tourists stopped to watch. Some took photos with their phones and read the materials distributed by the practitioners.
Practitioners held a grand parade in Chicago’s Chinatown on August 29, 2026.
A Witness of the CCP’s Suppression Urged an End to the Brutality
Ms. Jia participated in the parade and held a photo of a practitioner who was persecuted to death.
After she began practicing Falun Dafa in 1996, Ms. Jia said her character improved and she also recovered from the severe allergic rhinitis that had plagued her for years. After the CCP launched the persecution Ms. Jia was illegally detained three times for simply upholding her faith, including being sentenced to 18 months in a forced labor camp. She was held in solitary confinement for 10 months.
During those months, she was not only subjected to continuous mental torture, but was also deprived of sleep. “The guards did not let me sleep so I wouldn’t be able to think,” Ms. Jia recalled. “It was extremely horrible.”
After she left China and lived in the free environment of the U.S., Ms. Jia gained a deeper understanding of the difficulties of upholding one’s faith under the high pressure in China. She said that Falun Dafa teaches people to be good. If people were not misled by the CCP’s suppression, propaganda, and lies, many people would have practiced Falun Dafa and benefited from it. “Every misfortune Chinese people suffer is due to the CCP,” she explained.
She participated in the parade and hoped the event would help people recognize the brutal nature of the CCP. She urged people to learn the facts and work together to stop the persecution.
People Praise Falun Dafa
The parade attracted many residents and tourists. Isabel Amador and her three daughters were full of praise, and said, “The parade conveyed a beautiful message. It’s truly great to see this. The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are wonderful,” Isabel Amador said.
Isabel Amador (second from right) and her three daughters
Isabel added, “We often come to Chicago’s Chinatown, but we’ve never seen this parade before. The whole event surprised and delighted us. It was fantastic!”
Isabel said that Falun Dafa’s guiding principles (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance) are very important. “Everyone needs these principles. We were all captivated by the parade; the float was also amazing,” she said. The family enjoyed the parade and said they would learn more about Falun Dafa.
Chicago resident Mazda Wyzoda watched the parade with her mother Sofia Wyzoda and her sister Aga Wyzoda, who was visiting from Poland. Coming from a country that experienced communist rule, they were no strangers to the harm communism inflicts on people. The three women were deeply concerned about the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Dafa.
“The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are wonderful, and we are very interested in this practice. This is excellent!” Mazda said. She said she would try the practice, and hoped she might join such a parade in the future.
“These principles are so wonderful, everyone should live by them,” said Jennifer Roulston, a tourist from St. Louis, after watching the parade.
Michelle Burke, who was traveling with Jennifer, agreed. Speaking about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa and the harm communism inflicts on people, the two women expressed their support, and wished practitioners well.
Chicago resident Ayanna Phipps liked the Falun Dafa exercise demonstration.
After hearing about the practice and its suppression in China, some people were also interested in learning the practice. Chicago resident Ayanna Phipps watched the parade with her two children, and said she was deeply saddened by the brutal persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners by the CCP.
Ayanna was interested in learning about Falun Dafa. “I really enjoyed it; the exercises were fantastic,” she said. She said she hoped to learn the exercise movements.
David Wilkerson and Grace Crowley from Florida
David Wilkerson and Grace Crowley, tourists from Florida, said that watching the parade was a great experience. “This is wonderful!” David exclaimed.
Grace said she learned a lot from the event. “The persecution [by the CCP] is truly shocking and heartbreaking!” she said.
The Martinez family watched the parade and were interested in learning about Falun Dafa.
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