Grand Holiday Parade in Brooklyn, New York Draws Thousands of Falun Gong Practitioners
Since 1999, Falun Gong practitioners in China have been enduring persecution by the Chinese communist regime.
Despite the harsh conditions of cold rain and chilly wind, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners in New York City held a grand Chinese New Year parade in Brooklyn on Feb. 16 to convey holiday greetings to local residents.
The practitioners, organized into 24 teams, marched along Eighth Avenue with three main themes: showcasing the beauty of Falun Dafa, calling for an end to the Chinese communist regime’s persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China, and showing support for the 440 million Chinese people who have withdrawn from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations.
Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a spiritual practice that includes simple, slow-moving meditation exercises and teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Founded by Teacher Li Hongzhi, Falun Gong gained popularity in China during the 1990s, with estimates of 70 million to 100 million adherents in China by the end of the decade.
In July 1999, feeling threatened by Falun Gong’s popularity, China’s ruling Communist Party (CCP) and then-leader Jiang Zemin launched a systematic campaign to eliminate the practice. Since then, millions have been detained in prisons, labor camps, and other facilities, with hundreds of thousands subjected to torture during the ongoing persecution, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center.
Outside mainland China, Falun Gong is widely practiced in many countries around the world and praised by local governments for its health benefits and moral teachings.
Michael Yu, a staff member of the parade organizer, the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP, emphasized the importance of Falun Gong practitioners marching in adverse weather conditions to raise awareness about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and the movement to quit the party.
Kuang, a spectator wearing a chef’s uniform, shared his observations about the freedom Falun Gong practitioners have in the U.S. compared to China, where such activities are impossible.
Chen Shanfeng, who recently came to the U.S. from China, shared his story of escaping persecution and finding freedom in America.
Chen’s journey to the U.S. and his experience with Falun Gong have reinforced his belief in the values of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.
Chen’s story exemplifies the impact of Falun Gong and the pursuit of freedom in the United States.
Hannah Cai contributed to this report.
