New York Parade Marks Ongoing Changes Begun 16 Years Ago in China

2,000 people march in a parade in Flushing, New York, on April 25, 2015, calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China and celebrating 200 million people who have quit the Chinese Communist Party since 2004. Edward Dye/Epoch Times

NEW YORK—Sun rays were glittering on the polished brass instruments as a 120-strong marching band made its way through Flushing, Queens, on Saturday noon.

Tailing the band, a lively dragon dance troupe swirled around followed by a neat lineup of a dozen ladies in ornate traditional dresses in the Tang Dynasty style.

Far in the distance at the end of the parade a few dozen ladies in bright yellow costumes performed a synchronised waist drum routine. Throughout the procession, some 2,000 walked slowly carrying banners bearing writing in English and Chinese: “Falun Dafa is Good. Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong” and “Supporting the 200 million who quit the Chinese Communist Party.”

There was a special significance to the parade happening on April 25, explained Sang Yuan, 29, who hails from Shandong Province in eastern China.

Practitioners of Falun Gong perform in the Tian Guo Marching Band during a parade in Flushing, New York, on April 25, 2015, calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China and celebrating 200 million people who have quit the Chinese Communist Party since 2004. Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times