On May 13, 2026, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade in New York City to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)
By Cynthia Liu, Ryan Wu, and Zheng Zhang, Vision Times
NEW YORK, New York — On May 13, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners gathered in Manhattan to celebrate the 27th annual World Falun Dafa Day, marking both the birthday of Falun Gong founder Mr. Li Hongzhi and the 34th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction to the world.
The large-scale parade stretched weaved across several miles of Midtown Manhattan, transforming some of New York City’s busiest streets into a vibrant display of music, traditional culture, and spiritual expression. Participants from different countries, professions, and age groups marched peacefully during the event, drawing the attention of tourists, commuters, and local residents alike.
Also known as Falun Dafa, the spiritual practice was introduced to the public in 1992 in Changchun, China. Rooted in the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, the practice also focuses on moral self-improvement and meditation exercises. Practitioners say the practice’s teachings have since spread to more than 150 countries and regions, with the main text, Zhuan Falun, translated into dozens of languages.
In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)
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Despite being peaceful in nature, the CCP launched a brutal campaign to eradicate Falun Gong in July 1999. Since then, thousands have perished at the hands of Chinese police, with many adherents today still undergoing routine monitoring, arbitrary travel bans, and arrests.
Many participants in the parade said they joined the event to express gratitude for the practice and to help others learn about Falun Dafa. Oliver, a Falun Gong practitioner from Canada and a successful real estate businessman, said he began practicing in 1996 after years of searching for deeper answers about life.
Oliver, a Falun Gong practitioner from Canada, is a successful real estate businessman. (Image: Ryan Wu/Vision Times)
“Before practicing Falun Dafa, I studied martial arts and had many unanswered questions about life,” he said. “After I began practicing, those questions were answered. Not only that, my state of mind improved tremendously. I came to understand the truth of the universe and realized that the purpose of life is to return to one’s original true self and ultimately return to one’s heavenly home.”
Oliver said he attended the parade to express his gratitude to Mr. Li Hongzhi and to help more people understand the benefits of Falun Dafa.
Victor, a media professional from Spain who began practicing in 2010, said the teachings fundamentally changed how he approached daily life and work. “After practicing Falun Dafa, the biggest change for me was learning to always think of others first,” he said. “As a result, my relationships improved, my spiritual state elevated, and even my intellectual abilities improved. My work efficiency increased significantly.”
Victor, a Falun Gong practitioner from Spain, is a media professional. (Image: Ryan Wu/Vision Times)
He added, “I am deeply grateful to Master Li for bringing Falun Dafa to humanity and bringing hope and light to the world.”
Flynn Vu, a Vietnamese graduate student studying in the United States, said he first learned about Falun Dafa through his mother, who had practiced for many years. “After my mother began practicing Falun Dafa, her personality improved and our family environment became much better,” he said. “After I entered university, I also started practicing and benefited even more. My ability to study improved, and I became better able to calmly handle difficulties in life and academics.”
He added that seeing so many practitioners gathered in New York to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day felt deeply inspiring. “I sincerely thank Master for his compassion,” Vu said. “I also hope more people around the world can learn the truth about Falun Dafa and help make the world a better place.”
Falun Gong practitioner Flynn Vu. (Image: Ryan Wu/Vision Times)
Support for Falun Dafa
The parade began at 11 a.m. near Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza outside United Nations (UN) headquarters before proceeding along Second Avenue and across 42nd Street toward the west side of Manhattan. The route passed several iconic New York landmarks, including the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, and Times Square.
In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)
The procession featured three major themes: The worldwide spread of Falun Dafa, celebrations honoring World Falun Dafa Day, and support for the more than 460 million Chinese people who have reportedly renounced membership in the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)
Among the most visually striking performances were the Tian Guo Marching Band, dragon and lion dances, waist drum teams, lotus dances, colorful banner formations, Falun Gong exercise demonstrations, and elaborate parade floats featuring giant replicas of the book Zhuan Falun and rotating Falun emblems.
As the parade moved through Midtown streets, many spectators stopped to take photos and videos while others waved to participants and engaged with the procession.
‘Exactly what the world needs’
Gil Feliciano, a sales manager working in New York, said the parade carried an important message. “The principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are exactly what this world needs,” he said. “The CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong practitioners must stop. I support Falun Gong practitioners in resisting the persecution.”
Gil Feliciano, a sales manager working in New York City attended the parade on May 13, 2026. (Image: Ryan Wu/Vision Times)
Pini Akiva, a biologist from Israel and CEO of the Karolinska Institute, said it was his first time seeing a Falun Gong parade. “The values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are urgently needed in today’s world,” he said. “The persecution of people who believe in these values is wrong.”
Biologist Pini Akiva from Israel attended the parade on May 13, 2026. (Image: Ryan Wu/Vision Times)
Xu Ziyang, originally from mainland China and now a U.S. permanent resident, said the event stood in stark contrast to conditions inside China. “You cannot see a parade like this in China,” Xu said. “Even though the CCP spreads propaganda and slanders Falun Gong, many people in China still continue practicing. The persecution will not succeed.”
Elliot Henderson, a lawyer attending the event, called the parade “rich in culture and uplifting in spirit.” “The values Falun Gong practitioners believe in are universal principles humanity should follow,” he said. “Persecuting people for believing in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance is inhumane.”
Attorney Elliot Henderson attended the parade on May 13, 2026. (Image: Ryan Wu/Vision Times)
Maroon Smith, a sales specialist, told reporters that he was “drawn to watch the event by the music from the parade; I found the procession itself to be vibrant and visually impressive. He added, “The principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, which Falun Gong practitioners believe in, are excellent ideals. Indeed, one ought to follow these very principles in my own work and daily life.”
Sales Specialist Maroon Smith attended the parade on May 13, 2026. (Image: Ryan Wu/Vision Times)
As music echoed through the streets of Manhattan and colorful performances filled the avenues, the parade became one of the city’s most visible public gatherings of the day by combining cultural celebration with calls for religious freedom and human rights awareness.
In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)In New York City, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, hailing from diverse countries and age groups, held a parade to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with the public. (Image: Liu Di/Vision Times)
