United States: Falun Gong Practitioners Warmly Received at the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles

Now in its 81st year, the Hollywood Christmas Parade got underway on the evening of November 29th, 2009 along Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, kicking off the joyous and harmonious Holiday Season. Falun Gong practitioners have participated in this historical and festive celebration for the fifth year, as the only parade entry that is largely composed of Chinese.

Falun Gong parade contingent

Falun Gong practitioners' float, waist drum team and celestial maidens in ancient Chinese costumes stood out, bringing ancient Eastern traditions to Hollywood, where stars converge. To the perfectly synchronised drumbeat, the music "Falun Dafa Is Good" reverberated through the sky above Hollywood Boulevard, arousing spectators' interest, applause and cheers.

Enthusiastic spectators

When the Falun Gong contingent passed by, spectators on the parade route gave them warm applause and cheers. Some Westerners in the crowd held placards reading "Falun Dafa is good" in Chinese, "We love Shen Yun" in English, with a red heart, and "You shine here" in English with a sign of the sun. Some spectators made Heshi gestures and bowed to salute Falun Dafa.

Although the parade set off at 6:00 p.m., Hollywood Boulevard and over a dozen streets nearby were closed at 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. respectively. Tens of thousands of spectators gathered on both sides of the road waiting for the beginning of the parade.

Besides the indispensable Santa Claus, participating in the parade were newly-appointed LAPD Chief, political celebrities and movie stars. Susan Lucci, Emmy Award winning actress in 1999, star of the ABC television soap opera "All My Children," was named Grand Marshal of the parade.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade will be aired nationally at 8:00 p.m. on December 10th and 24th through MyNetworkTV. Key in the post code at the link http://www.mynetworktv.com/stations.php for information about channels in different areas.