(Minghui.org) This was the second year Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate in Montpelier’s Independence Day Parade which was held on July 3, 2023. Many Chinese people said that they were surprised and pleased to see so many practitioners.

Practitioners were well received at the Independence Day parade in Montpelier.

People took photos and video recordings of the energetic waist drum team.

One of the largest annual events in Vermont’s state capital, politicians from all levels including the governor, lieutenant governor, senators, and congressional members participate in the celebration.

The Falun Dafa group consisted of three sections: The exercise demonstration team, practitioners carrying banners with messages calling for an end to the persecution, and the waist drum team.

Two songs the waist drum team performed were, “Falun Dafa is Good” and “Joyous Celebration” to celebrate Independence Day. Their lively performances were praised and applauded.

A young woman from Guangxi, China who was touring the U.S. expressed amazement when she saw Falun Dafa practitioners and said, “This is shocking! I did not expect to see so many Falun Dafa practitioners!” She then asked about the local practice site and said she was interested in learning how to practice.

A young boy imitated the practitioners’ movements as the exercise demonstration team passed. His family members kept applauding and cheering to encourage the practitioners.

It rained lightly before the parade began. But the sky cleared, the sun came out and a rainbow appeared in the sky as soon as the parade started. Many people praised practitioners for bringing an uplifting atmosphere to the event.