(Clearwisdom.net) On February 18, 2007, a Chinese New Year Parade was held in Chinatown, Washington D.C. More than ten thousand people from different communities attended the celebration. The government officers, the Council President of Washington D.C., and the council members sent their greetings to Chinese people. The mayor of Washington D.C. grants an award to the organizers of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Dragon Dance performed by Falun Gong practitioners

Spectators photographing practitioners

Practitioners perform the waist drums.

More than 20 groups attended the parade and the Falun Gong group was the biggest one. Practitioners performed the Dragon Dance, Lion Dance, Celestial Maiden Dance and their waist drums. The performances were warmly welcomed by the spectators.

Practitioners were invited to perform the Dragon Dance and the waist drums again after the parade.

Dr. Huang, who works at NASA, was one of the dragon dancers. He said: "Falun Gong practitioners perform the dragon dances every year in this parade. We are the only dragon dancers in the parade. After a few years of clarifying the truth, Chinese people learned more about Falun Gong, and our relationship with the Chinese community has become very good."

After the parade, many people took photos with Falun Gong practitioners. Dr. Huang said: "I am very glad to see so many people like our group. I am also glad that they see the beauty of the traditional Chinese culture through our performances."

It was the sixth time that Falun Gong practitioners attended the Chinese New Year parade. Professor Nieh Sen, one of organizers, said: "the situation has changed a lot during the last six years. The parade would not be so remarkable without Falun Gong practitioners." Mr. Wang Zhenhua, the president of the Chinese Association, said: "Falun Gong practitioners are great. They like to help people."

One of the workers from the Chinese Association said: "Every year, Falun Gong practitioners come to Chinatown before the parade, helping us to make the great balloon arch. Other groups charge us $1000, but Falun Gong practitioners always give us the service for free."

Dr. Yu, who always helps to make the balloon arch, said: "Although Falun Gong practitioners have been suffering from the persecution in the last seven years, we didn’t change our will. We are peaceful everywhere in the world. Our only pursuit is to stop the persecution. I feel glad to see that so many people learned the truth of Falun Gong, and I wish every kind people in the world a wonderful future."

The newspaper Washington Post interviewed practitioners, and reported the spectacular performances by the Falun Gong group. On the website of the Washington Post, there is video of the parade, including footage of the practitioners’ performances.