Thousands of people who practice the traditional Chinese spiritual discipline of Falun Dafa will take part in a variety of activities and events in New York planned in anticipation of this year’s World Falun Dafa Day on May 13.
From May 11 to May 15, both local and visiting practitioners will take part in mass public activities like group meditation, a parade across Manhattan, as well as cultural performances and an experience sharing conference.
Practitioners have organized and taken part in these gatherings in New York and other cities around the world for many years, both to promote Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) and to raise awareness about the ongoing persecution it suffers at the hands of the Chinese communist regime.
Dozens of New York state officials, including members of the U.S. Congress, have extended greetings in the lead-up to the Falun Gong activities.
For Falun Gong’s 24th anniversary on May 13, a Friday, over 10,000 people are predicted to take part in a parade from east to west across Manhattan. The massive spectacle will include Chinese dragon and lion dances, marching bands, and dancers in ancient-style Chinese dress. Practitioners of multiple nationalities and cultures will wear traditional clothing while holding banners celebrating Falun Dafa’s reach across dozens of nations.
