(Clearwisdom.net) On July 3, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners in northern California participated for the fist time in the Independence Day Parade in Rancho Cordova.

Rancho Cordova is a city near Sacramento, the capital of California. Practitioners brought the beauty of Falun Dafa to the citizens in their annual Independence Day Parade. When one of the organizers, Meise District Primary School Principal Alan Withers saw the Falun Gong contingent, he was amazed and greeted the practitioners, "Wonderful! You are welcome to participate."

The Falun Gong contingent was led by banners with the words, "Falun Dafa is Good" and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." Behind the banners was Seven Celestial Maidens Dance Team, followed by a large Falun Emblem and a group of practitioners who demonstrated the exercises. A sign reading "Please Help Rescue Our Persecuted Family Members in China" was behind the exercise demonstration group, followed by young Dafa practitioners in a stroller. At the back of the contingent was a banner reading, "Falun Dafa is Spread Around the World." The contingent composed of 30 practitioners was in good order, and left good impression on spectators who gave them applause.

Practitioners who would perform the Seven Celestial Maidens Dance arrived at the assembly place quite early to carefully make up. During the parade, they kept dancing lightly with great conscientiousness. Spectators gave them a round of applause. People on the way commented, "Beautiful! Beautiful!" and "They are close to be perfect."

The Falun Gong contingent was quite outstanding, the exercise demonstration group was even more special, and was also children's favorite. They yelled, "I like those practitioners, they are really special, fantastic!" Some people requested materials on their own initiative, even children stretched their hands and asked, "Can I have one?" "What about me?"

Bob also came. He got to know us two days ago when we held the torture exhibit in front of the State Capitol Building. At that time, he was reluctant to leave us. He learned to practice the five sets of the exercises and helped us hold banners. Bob was tall, and walked at the end of the contingent, holding up the large banner that read, "Falun Dafa is Spread Around the World" along with practitioners. When the activity concluded, Bob told practitioners that it was his first time in his life to participate in a parade, and he was quite proud of holding up that banner.

After the parade ended, the practitioners went to a park to practice the exercises, some people walked up to talk with practitioners to get the information about local practice sites. They said, when your group passed by, you brought us a very peaceful and wonderful feeling.

Perhaps many people still do not know Falun Gong and the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, but through participating in such activities, we believe that the beauty of Falun Dafa will stay in the hearts of more and more people.