(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners participated in the Blacktown City Festival parade in Western Sydney, Australia on May 31, 2014. As the Falun Gong procession approached, the master of ceremonies in the area exclaimed, “The Falun Gong entry is coming. Let's give them a hand and welcome them! They promote Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, characteristics of the universe. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is great!”

This is the fifteenth consecutive year that practitioners have been invited to join the parade, participating for the first time in 2000. Blacktown is a suburb, and one of the most multicultural areas in Greater Western Sydney.

When the Falun Gong entry passed by the main stage, many officials, including federal, provincial, and city level legislators, waved to practitioners. The master of ceremonies introduced Falun Gong, “Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional spiritual cultivation method that improves mind and body wellness through meditation and exercises. It promotes Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice is harmonious and peaceful. It has spread to over 100 countries. More than 100 million people practice Falun Gong...”

Some practitioners stayed to demonstrate exercises, distribute truth-clarification materials, and collect signatures after the parade. Susan, one of the practitioners, said that today's signature drive to call for an end to organ harvesting in China saw a lot of support. Many spectators reached out to her to get materials. A doctor who had not heard of Falun Gong immediately signed the petition, upon learning the facts about organ harvesting.

The parade started at just past 11:00 a.m. The Falun Gong entry was the largest in the parade, and was composed of the Divine Land Marching Band, a float, and a waist drum team. Spectators welcomed them with applause wherever they went.

Falun Gong practitioners participated in the Blacktown City Festival parade on May 31 in Greater Western Sydney, Australia.

Falun Gong float

Spectator signs petition supporting Falun Gong practitioners during the Blacktown City Festival on May 31, 2014.

Spectators from around the world, including Iran, Egypt, the Philippines, India, and China, signed the petition, calling for an end to organ harvesting in China. In addition to signing their own names, they also encouraged their friends to sign.