(Minghui.org) The Northern California Quitting the CCP center held a grand parade in San Francisco on August 20, 2022 to celebrate the 400 million brave Chinese citizens who have renounced their memberships in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations.
Practitioners did the Falun Dafa exercises in front of the Ferry Building before the parade.
The Northern California Quitting the CCP center held a grand parade in San Francisco to support the 400 million Chinese citizens who have quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
The parade enters Chinatown.
Many people watched the parade.
According to the Epoch Times Quitting the CCP website, the number of withdrawals from the CCP topped the 400 million mark on August 20, 2022. This is another milestone since the Epoch Times published the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party on November 19, 2004.
The parade, made up of several sections, set off at 12 p.m. from the Ferry Building. Practitioners marched along San Francisco’s main streets before entering Chinatown and concluding at Portsmouth Square. Non-practitioners who joined in the parade called on their Chinese compatriots to see through the CCP’s nature, and break away from the regime to have a bright future.
I Applaud You for Doing a Great Job
Cheri Whitaker (left) loved the exercise demonstrations and music.
Cheri Whitaker and her friend Michael Seibel, who live in Sacramento, said that when they heard the exercise music they crossed the street to see what the practitioners were doing. Cheri said, “Their exercise movements and the music are so beautiful, we were drawn to it. We were delighted to have the opportunity to see the exercise demonstrations today and hear this calming music. It gives me a lot of hope. I will go online to find out more about Falun Dafa.”
After learning that over 400 million people have quit the CCP, Ms. Whitaker said, “Everything has a starting point, and change will only come about when we take action. I applaud these people for stepping forward to quit the CCP and take action for their future. They did a great thing.”
These People are Brave to Quit the CCP—I am Proud of Them
Nafiseh A., who moved from Iran to the U.S., lives in Walnut Creek in the East Bay area. She too was drawn by the peaceful exercises and music. She was curious after seeing the banner with the message “The CCP is on the Brink of Collapse.” She said, “As an Iranian, I know how totalitarian governments treat their people. I am glad to know what is happening in China today as well as how Falun Dafa practitioners refuse to give up their faith in spite of the brutal persecution. I cannot understand what is wrong with following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Is there anything wrong with having compassion? Why would the government oppose this? I saw many groups protesting in the past. Yet I have never seen a group like this fighting for freedom of belief through such peaceful means. I am moved by their actions.
“Those who fight for their lives and conviction, and stand out to renounce the CCP are very courageous. I believe they are not doing this just for themselves but for society and future generations. I am proud of these people!” she said.
Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are Universal Values, Communism is Evil
Scott Shields, a Bay Area resident said, “The CCP is an evil organization.”
Scott Shields, who lives in the Bay Area, said he saw a Shen Yun performance several years ago, and learned about the persecution of Falun Dafa through one of the programs. He then started to take an interest in the spiritual practice. He also began to look into why the group was being suppressed in China. He said, “Why is it that human rights organizations and the media don’t report on this? I once came into contact with the participants of a documentary about Falun Dafa. It helped me understand the persecution practitioners went through, how they survived through being steadfast in their conviction. This enabled me to understand on a deeper level what Falun Dafa is. The CCP is an evil organization in its bones. If such an evil group is at odds with Falun Dafa, who teaches Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, then it is obvious the CCP is a group that is the opposite.
“Today over 400 million people in China have quit the CCP. I think it is not just Chinese nationals. Everyone in the Western society should support ending the CCP because communism is evil. They have infiltrated in every corner of our lives. It is terrible. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are universal values. We should follow such moral guidelines,” he said.
Sarah, who lives in the Bay Area, supports Chinese people quitting the CCP.
Sarah, who lives in the Bay Area, said she supports Chinese people quitting the CCP. “I think it is terrible that the regime is suppressing Falun Dafa. I thank people for speaking the truth about the persecution and informing everyone about what is happening in China.”
“Falun Gong is a wonderful practice. It helps self-improvement. The principles it teaches are important. We should follow these principles and treat others with kindness.”
New Practitioner Grateful for Practitioners’ Help
Daniel Haynam (right) learns the Falun Dafa exercises.
Daniel Haynam said he is under a lot of stress and anxiety and suffers from insomnia. His friend suggested that he come to the Falun Dafa activities and learn the exercises. “I discovered that learning Falun Dafa improves my willpower. This is just what I need.”
He usually has difficulty concentrating, and said, “I am able to focus while doing the exercises. It is amazing. I thank my Falun Dafa friends for helping me when I need it the most.”
He said he was delighted to take part in the parade, “I don’t like the CCP. I dislike many of the things they do such as establishing concentration camps. I see the regime as modern day Nazis.”
Another lady named Sarah passed by the area and was attracted to the scene of practitioners doing the exercises. She said, “I felt at peace watching them do the exercises.”
She loved the principles taught by Falun Dafa, and found it inconceivable that the CCP would oppress such a peaceful group of practitioners. She said, “This is horrible.”
Ms. Leah, a San Francisco resident, said she once saw practitioners while traveling in London. “Falun Dafa is remarkable. More people should know what this is because many benefited after practicing it. Yet the CCP is evil. They try to control people’s minds, forbid them from freedom of belief. This persecution should not go on.”
Scott, who lives in San Francisco, said Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is what everyone needs.
Scott, who lives in San Francisco enjoys meditating, watched the practitioners do the exercises. He said it made him feel calm, “It is wonderful to see them doing the exercises here, it makes me want to meditate too.”
He said he loved the principles Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, “This is just what everyone needs.” When asked his thoughts on the persecution in China, he said, “China is ruled by the CCP right now. They are suppressing people and try to control everything.”
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