On Sunday 13 May 2007, dragon dancing, an 80-piece marching band, beautiful traditional
Chinese costumes, large-scale Falun Gong exercise demonstration, colourful banners
and anti-torture displays will all be part of the Grand Annual Parade. The displays
and performances will continue after the parade in Belmore Park, Hay Street, for
the rest of the day. Hundreds are expected to attend.
Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) practitioners from all around Australia will host a
series of activities as part of the international celebration of World Falun
Dafa Day.
¨We extend our thanks to the City of Sydney for recognising the World Falun
Dafa Day Grand Parade as an annual event on its calendar,¨ said Kay Rubacek,
Falun Dafa spokesperson. “The occasion of May 13 is a mix of joy and concern-at
once a tale of human betterment, of tragedy and oppression, and of hope and
renewal.¨
The Parade will commence at 11:00 am on Sunday 13 May in George St, turn into
Liverpool St, Sussex St, Little Hay St to Chinatown and finish at the Entertainment
Centre at 11.30am with a speech from the parade organisers.
Background information:
World Falun Dafa Day celebrates the introduction of Falun Dafa to the public
in China in May 1992. The Parade will show the beauty of Falun Dafa and illustrate
its journey from within China to over 70 countries around the world.
On 13 May 1992, Li Hongzhi introduced the ancient practice of Falun Dafa (Falun
Gong) to the public. It quickly spread across China and by 1999 there were more
than 100 million people practising Falun Dafa in China. Falun Dafa is now practised
by people from all walks of live in more than 70 countries around the world.
Falun Dafa was first introduced to Australia in 1994 and is now in all major
cities and many rural areas.
Falun Dafa practitioners around the world host many activities to let the public
know about the benefits of the practice. Since July 20, 1999, practitioners
have also had many parades, rallies and other events to raise awareness of the
Chinese Communist regime’s persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners. Practitioners
believe that if these crimes are exposed, the persecution will eventually stop.