(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in the San Francisco Bay Area were invited to participate in the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California, in Redwood City on July 4, 2014. The practitioners’ procession showcased the serenity and beauty of Falun Dafa and was enthusiastically received by parade organizers and spectators alike.

Falun Dafa practitioners took part in the annual 4th of July parade in downtown Redwood City, California

Flag brigade

Falun Gong exercise demonstration; banner reads “Falun Dafa”

Spectators wave

Exercise demonstration

Falun Dafa float

Parade Organizer: We Welcome Falun Dafa

Parade organizer Stephanie Markus said, “The Falun Dafa team has always been wonderful. They are very peaceful, very calm, terrific. Falun Dafa is in the parade every year. I have been doing the parade for 8 years, every time I have been here, they have been here. I like their participation. I like the lotus flower. It’s beautiful.

“I know they are persecuted in China. They promote peace, unity and compassion. But they are persecuted. And that is wrong. Here in America, you can believe what you want to believe and nobody will persecute you. We welcome their participation. We welcome all diversity. That's what makes America great.

“The principle of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance is wonderful. I think that's great. I absolutely agree with the principle.”

Spectators Cheer for Falun Dafa

Flora waved as she saw the Falun Dafa procession approach. “I so enjoy their procession,” she said. A Chinese spectator shouted in Chinese, “Go Falun Gong!”

Parade spectator Flora: “I so enjoy their procession!”

Many spectators view the parade every year and have come to look forward to the Falun Dafa procession. One of them remarked, “Their spirits are so high. I love their float, it’s just amazing! I am very glad to see them every year.”

Evonna kept clapping as she watched the Falun Dafa procession. She said that it was amazing. When she learned that there were five exercises in the practice and that Dafa follows the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, she quickly wrote down the Falun Dafa web address, saying that she wanted to learn it.

Shauna from Redwood City jumped up from her chair and took a lot of pictures of the Dafa procession. She said that she knew about the persecution from Dafa practitioners’ other activities. “Falun Dafa practitioners do a great job letting the public know about the persecution. It is important, because everyone has the right to believe freely. I am glad to see that the practitioners are exposing the crimes the Chinese Communist regime has committed,” said Shauna.