On July 4, 2009, Falun Gong practitioners participated for their ninth year in America’s third-largest Independence Day parade in Evanston, Illinois. Under a light rain, their resounding drums and bright smiles demonstrated their indomitable spirit.
Evanston’s Independence Day Parade has an 88-year legacy. It was named “America’s third-largest Independence Day Parade” by Country Home in 2001, second only to parades in Washington, D.C., and Boston in scope. It’s unique in that it is entirely organized by volunteers and funded exclusively by individual and company donations.
Though organized entirely by NGOs, the Evanston parade has achieved an indispensable political status in Illinois. In 2004, then Illinois U.S. Rep. Barack Obama participated in this parade as part of his senatorial campaign, and was well received by the public.
The Evanston parade followed Central Street, the main street in the city, for about three miles. This year’s parade drew 123 groups. Falun Gong was the only group composed mainly of Chinese descendants, and the local people seem to be familiar with it. From more than 11 yards away, their Tang drums were clearly audible, and their bright “Falun Dafa” banners were easily visible. Many of the parade spectators applauded and waved to them, chanting, “Falun Gong! Falun Gong!”
Falun Gong practitioners first began participating in the Evanston Independence Day Parade in 2001. Their float was ranked No. 1 in 2003, and No. 3 in 2004, and the parade organizers have invited them to participate every year since then.
Read the original Chinese article.
Evanston’s Independence Day Parade has an 88-year legacy. It was named “America’s third-largest Independence Day Parade” by Country Home in 2001, second only to parades in Washington, D.C., and Boston in scope. It’s unique in that it is entirely organized by volunteers and funded exclusively by individual and company donations.
Though organized entirely by NGOs, the Evanston parade has achieved an indispensable political status in Illinois. In 2004, then Illinois U.S. Rep. Barack Obama participated in this parade as part of his senatorial campaign, and was well received by the public.
The Evanston parade followed Central Street, the main street in the city, for about three miles. This year’s parade drew 123 groups. Falun Gong was the only group composed mainly of Chinese descendants, and the local people seem to be familiar with it. From more than 11 yards away, their Tang drums were clearly audible, and their bright “Falun Dafa” banners were easily visible. Many of the parade spectators applauded and waved to them, chanting, “Falun Gong! Falun Gong!”
Falun Gong practitioners first began participating in the Evanston Independence Day Parade in 2001. Their float was ranked No. 1 in 2003, and No. 3 in 2004, and the parade organizers have invited them to participate every year since then.
Read the original Chinese article.
