Washington State, U.S.A.: Seattle Chinatown Welcomes Falun Gong (Photos)

By a practitioner in Washington State

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 24, 2005, practitioners from Washington and Oregon participated in the Chinatown Seafair Parade in Seattle and were warmly welcomed by Chinese and Western spectators.

"Falun Dafa" banner

Float

Float

Lion dance

Waist drum troupe

Spectators

Parade Staff: "Every year, I look forward to seeing your performance!"

Before the parade started, practitioners were very busy preparing. A parade staff member came to practitioners and said, "Every year, I look forward to seeing your performance! The past several years have been a very long time for you considering all the hardships inflicted upon Falun Gong!"

This is the fifth time that practitioners have participated in the Chinatown Seafair Parade. Many parade staff members are now very familiar with Falun Dafa, and they are very impressed by the special peacefulness of practitioners and their novel performances year after year. As soon as they see the yellow exercise suits, they know that Falun Gong is coming.

Before the parade staging began, another staff member said to practitioners, "I really like to watch your procession!"

The Audience Supports Falun Gong

The practitioners' procession was led by a giant "Falun Dafa" banner which was followed by two mighty lions. Then came two practitioners in traditional costumes performing a dance, and a large decorated float on which several practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises. "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" and "Falun Dafa" banners were displayed on the float. Following the float was the practitioners' waist drum troupe.

Many Chinese and Western spectators waved to greet the practitioners, and applauded and cheered for them. Many Chinese were so proud of the practitioners' performance and gave them the thumbs up sign.

Chinese spectators were especially fond of the practitioners' dancing. One Chinese mother taught her daughter to read the "Falun Dafa" banner. An older gentleman in his 70s imitated practitioners on the float in doing the second Falun Gong exercise. Practitioners who were distributing fliers often found it hard to meet the many requests from spectators.

The waist drum troupe was led by a Western practitioner. He later commented, "I could truly sense that every drum beat sent the message of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance."

"I don't know why, I just want to cry upon seeing you."

At the end of the parade, groups that had finished earlier and were scattered on both sides of the street gave the practitioners warm applause as they finished the parade. A spectator called a practitioner right after the parade to ask how to learn the practice.

A middle-aged Westerner told us that he came to Chinatown for lunch and ran into the parade. He said, "I saw your posters before in Chinatown and was deeply touched by the practice. I have read Zhuan Falun, which is very good. I don't know why, I just want to cry upon seeing you."

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/7/29/107220.html

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