On May 11, over 350 Falun Dafa practitioners from the Bay Area gathered in San Francisco to commemorate the 32-year anniversary of the spiritual meditation practice’s public debut. The celebratory parade featured colorful banners, costumes, a marching band, a float adorned with fairies on lotus flowers, and a majestic golden dragon, as it made its way along the city’s waterfront.
Similar events took place in various cities worldwide, including New York, Toronto, London, and Melbourne. Falun Dafa, introduced to the public by founder Mr. Li Hongzhi on May 13, 1992, quickly gained popularity for its health benefits and spread throughout China through word of mouth.
By 1999, an estimated 70 to 100 million people in China were practicing Falun Dafa. However, the Chinese Communist Party, viewing the practice as a threat to its authority, initiated a brutal persecution campaign targeting Falun Gong practitioners.
The parade in San Francisco not only celebrated World Falun Dafa Day but also raised awareness about the ongoing persecution faced by practitioners. The procession was led by the San Francisco Tianguo Marching Band, comprised of dedicated Falun Gong members.
Finding Purpose in Falun Dafa
Navid Vanahi, an Iranian practitioner who started his Falun Dafa journey in 2003, found solace and answers to life’s questions in the teachings of the practice. Through practicing the five exercises, he has achieved better health and vitality compared to his peers.
A Compass
For Korean American practitioner Yang Lan Lee, the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance in Falun Dafa serve as a reliable compass in navigating life’s challenges. By applying these principles, she has experienced remarkable transformations and inner peace.
‘This Energy Is Amazing’
Witnesses like Los Angeles resident Aly Merced and Napa resident Sana Bhumbla were drawn to the peaceful energy of Falun Dafa practitioners during the parade. They expressed admiration for the practice and condemned the persecution faced by practitioners in China.
Overall, the parade in San Francisco served as a platform to celebrate Falun Dafa’s anniversary, raise awareness about the persecution, and showcase the positive impact of the practice on individuals’ lives.
Jason Blair contributed to this report.
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