(Clearwisdom.net) On July 4, 2008, the 28^th annual grand parade on Independence Day in the City of Plano, Texas was held on Independence Parkway. Falun Gong practitioners' procession was the largest Asian group and was warmly welcomed by the audience.

The grand parade in Plano was one of the largest parades in the local area. The organizers of the parade said that more than eighty floats and several thousand people participated. Since many families celebrated the holiday at home this year instead of traveling, it was estimated that more people showed up to watch the parade than before.

The parade started from Plano Senior High School, traveled along Independence Parkway, passed by Park Boulevard and concluded at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. The whole route was 2.2 miles long.

Falun Gong practitioners' procession was composed of the Texas Divine Land Marching Band, Falun Gong exercise demonstration and float and a marching team. Several practitioners distributed flyers along the parade route.

"You are the best band I have seen in the past twenty years!"

The Texas Divine Land Marching Band drew much attention in the parade. The band was set up last year and composed of Falun Gong practitioners from Houston, Austin, and Dallas. Their orderly procession, blue shirt, blue cap and white trousers, and melodious music caught the attention of audiences at many community events.

Ms. Zhang, the event coordinator for the Falun Gong group, said, " It is the first time for the band to participate in the Independence Day parade in Plano. Our music selections today include 'Falun Dafa Is Good', 'Drums and Trumpets Shake the World in Ten Directions', 'America the Beautiful' and 'The Fa Rectifies the Universe.' A western audience member said excitedly, 'You are the best band I have seen in the past twenty years.'"

One western spectator walked along with the band for quite a distance and his body moved along with the drum play. Some people said to the practitioners, "Your music has strong rhythm and is graceful, very touching."

Though it was hot, all of the practitioners were enthusiastic and performed their best for the whole route. Spectators gave them warm applause.

Ms. Hu is the only practitioner in her family. Her husband, daughter and son are her supporters. She participated in the parade for the first time as a band member. Her husband took photos. Her daughter and son also came to watch the parade and support her. Her daughter said proudly, "You are the best, most graceful, and most welcomed. Mom, you work hard! It is truly hot!" Ms. Hu said, "There are others who are older than me. We all finished the whole route. We could keep going until the end because we all wanted to have people see the beauty of Falun Dafa." Her daughter said, "I support you."

"Because of the CCP, the persecution of Falun Gong occurs!"

Practitioners decorated a beautiful float with red, blue, and white colors. Four practitioners with golden yellow suits demonstrated the exercises on the float. A woman practitioner dressed as a celestial maiden sat on the huge pink lotus flower on the float and demonstrated the sitting meditation.

Many people accepted Falun Gong flyers and read them attentively. A gentleman asked practitioner Ms. Zhang for more details. Ms. Zhang said, "Falun Gong is welcomed all over the world since it teaches people 'Truth-Compassion-Tolerance' and makes people healthy. But in its place of origin, China, it is being brutally persecuted." The gentleman said after thinking briefly, "Because of the CCP's control, the persecution of Falun Gong occurs!"

Another western spectator read the information about the CCP's live organ removal from Falun Gong practitioners and asked, "China is hosting the Olympics. We must do something to stop these crimes!"

Several Vietnamese practitioners held banners that read "Falun Dafa" and "Truth-Compassion-Tolerance". Women practitioners wore traditional Vietnamese dress. Ms. Kim said, "We hold Vietnamese banners and wear Vietnamese dresses to let people know that Falun Gong is not only practiced by Chinese people, but also welcomed in the Vietnamese community."