(Minghui.org) July 4, 2024, marks the 248th anniversary of the declaration of American Independence. That morning, hundreds of thousands gathered at Huntington Beach, a popular surf spot in California, to watch the largest Independence Day parade on the West Coast. Among the approximately two hundred parade groups, Falun Dafa practitioners from Los Angeles again impressed the audience.
The Huntington Beach Independence Day parade is the grandest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi River. Local dignitaries and public figures, including the mayor, city council members, and prosecutors joined the grand event, celebrating American traditions and freedoms with the public.
Leading the practitioners was a beautifully decorated float adorned in the red, white, and blue colors of the American flag. The float featured lotus platforms of various heights, each with a practitioner dressed in traditional celestial attire. Following the float were practitioners in yellow shirts demonstrating the exercises and a lively waist drum team.
Host Introduces Falun Dafa
As practitioners passed the main stage, the host introduced them, “People from all walks of life practice Falun Dafa because it transcends culture, society, economy, and borders. In Southern California, there are weekly exercise sites and community workshops. Everyone is welcome to learn the exercises for free.”
Lisa Polly, who was attending the parade for the first time at a friend’s invitation, said, “The Falun Dafa group is so special. Not only are their golden clothes eye-catching, but the overall atmosphere makes one feel very peaceful.”
Praise for Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance
Lisa added, “This is my first time watching the parade. I didn’t know much about them before, but I really like them. The words Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance on the float impressed me. I like it; if everyone could be a bit kinder, it would be wonderful.”
The exercise and waist drum teams followed the float, and some people imitated the exercise movements.
Practitioners interacted with the public along the parade route. While expressing their gratitude and celebrating America’s Independence Day, they also hope to bring the universal values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to more people and hope practitioners still persecuted in China can soon be free from persecution.
Spreading the Universal Values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance
A young practitioner Jussy Chiang, said, “We are very happy to celebrate because it is thanks to the sacrifices of our predecessors that we can enjoy freedom and religious freedom here every day.”
Another young practitioner, Henry Liu, said, “Falun Dafa is still being persecuted in China. I grew up in fear. After coming to the United States, I can practice freely and express my beliefs freely.”
He expressed his gratitude to America: “Therefore, I hope to pass on the beauty of Falun Dafa to Americans so that they can benefit. I believe this is the best way to give back to American society.”
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