Falun Gong Communities Across the U.S. Join Fourth of July Celebrations, Expressing Gratitude to America

Falun Gong practitioners took part in Independence Day parades and community festivals in cities across the United States over the July 4 weekend, joining fellow Americans in marking the nation’s 250th anniversary while expressing their gratitude to the country and its people for safeguarding freedom of belief.

From the East Coast to California, practitioner groups—featuring marching bands, waist-drum teams, exercise-demonstration formations, and decorated floats—drew warm applause from crowds, many of whom cheered and called out their thanks. 

Washington, DC 

On July 4, nearly 200 practitioners with the Tian Guo Marching Band and a waist-drum team performed near Capitol Hill despite a heatwave that pushed temperatures to 102°F and forced organizers to cancel the official parade. Tourists from across the country stopped to watch and record the performance.

Diana, a visitor from Texas, said that after 250 years the country’s most important value remains freedom. Learning that some of the musicians had been persecuted in China for their faith, she called it “such a great pity, really sad,” and told practitioners, “You are absolutely welcome in America.”

Douglas, who traveled from Naples, Florida, and had served in the Navy, said that many people had lost their lives in war to protect freedom and that he hoped people in China could soon break free from the Communist Party’s control and enjoy the same liberty.

California

On the West Coast, practitioners appeared in the Huntington Beach, California parade—the largest Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi, drawing more than 500,000 spectators in its 122nd year. Their float, decorated in red, white and blue and bearing the words “God Bless America,” was accompanied by a banner reading “Thank You America for Our Freedom.”

Longtime resident Sherry said she was glad to see the practitioners every year, adding that faith is also a cornerstone of America and that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are universal values. California State Senator Tony Strickland voiced support for the practitioners’ defense of their faith, calling freedom of religion a fundamental right that “cannot be violated,” and wished the nation a happy 250th birthday.

In San Diego County, practitioners marched in Coronado’s 77th Independence Day parade, the region’s largest, and won second prize for their float. Parade announcer Kimberly King described them as the most peaceful group in the procession and thanked them for their years of volunteer participation.

Retired Navy veteran and practitioner Mike Tuck, who served more than two decades at the Coronado naval base, carried the American flag at the head of their contingent. “As a veteran, I once carried the flag to express my commitment to serving my country,” he said. “Years later, leading our Falun Dafa group in this parade feels like a continuation of that journey—only this time, we are following the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.” He added that the military had taught him duty, resilience, and sacrifice, while Falun Dafa had given him a deeper understanding of those same principles.

Practitioners also gathered signatures at community street fairs for S.4009, the Falun Gong and Forced Organ Harvesting Victims Protection Act now before the U.S. Senate. One local resident, David, signed after learning of the persecution, saying he did not want to see any government strip its people of their freedom and rights—”exactly what we are celebrating today.”

Celebrations span the country 

In the Chicago area, practitioners joined the Evanston Independence Day parade, which they have taken part in every year since 2001. Resident Mary Rosinski said the group’s float amazed her every time, and that in today’s chaotic world, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are “exactly the principles we need.” Another spectator, Rob Maihofer, called the practitioners’ lotus float “the best in the whole parade,” praising the way its colors, the serene exercise demonstration, and the group’s principles came together.

Falun Gong contingents also appeared in Montpelier, Vermont, one of 55 community groups in the state capital’s parade. Spectator Michelle, visiting from out of state, said the practitioners “brought a really beautiful energy to this parade,” while a young attendee named Aaron sought out practitioners afterward to learn more, remarking that they seemed like happy, kind people.

Practitioners took part in celebrations in Redwood City, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Delaware as well, where members of the public tried the exercises and signed petitions opposing the persecution.

The community’s participation carried a dual message. Practitioners expressed gratitude for the religious freedom they enjoy in the United States while drawing attention to the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong, which has continued in China since 1999, and to instances of transnational repression that have extended pressure onto U.S. soil.

Many practitioners who marched had themselves suffered persecution in China before finding refuge in America. Lisa Rudek, a Chicago-area practitioner born in Poland who grew up under a former communist regime in Eastern Europe, said Americans are free to shape their character and beliefs “without living in fear and total control,” a freedom she noted remains out of reach for practitioners in China. “The power of truth,” she said, “lies in the courage to speak it.”

This article is based on reports from Minghui.org, an official Falun Dafa website that publishes firsthand accounts from practitioners in China and around the world. The original reports can be found at Minghui.org.