New Yorkers celebrate World Fernandafa Day in Union Square, Manhattan

Falun Dafa was introduced to the public in China in 1992 and is now spread to 159 countries around the world.

Union Square in New York City was brought to life on May 11th with music, dance and vibrant colours. This is because more than 1,000 local Falun Gong practitioners gathered to celebrate Falun Gong Day around the world.

This day marks the introduction of Falun Gong, which was observed annually on May 13th and was introduced in 1992 of spiritual practices published in China. This practice quickly gained popularity with millions of followers before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recognized its popularity as a threat to the regime’s rule and began continuing group brain persecution in 1999.

The festival begins in the morning, with some practitioners lined up to do five meditative exercises of Falun Gong. In the afternoon, the marching band began the celebration, followed by dances of dragons and lions, waist drum performances, several women’s dances, songs and instrumental performances.

Zhang Erping is a spokesman for the Falun DAFA Information Centre and took part in the celebration at Union Square. He said Falun Gong is spreading to 159 countries around the world.

“This practice not only makes people healthy both physically and mentally, but most importantly, in today’s chaotic society, many have found hopes, purpose and meaning in life through Falun Gong. As a result, it attracts people of all nationalities, ethnicities and ages,” Zhang said during the Epoch era.

Xing Kebin, who lives in Queens, New York, participated in a group exercise. He said he began practicing Falun Gong after his arm broke in the 2019 ski incident.

Xing Kebin shows one of the Falun Gong movements at Union Square, New York City on May 11, 2025 (Zhao Fenni/The Epoch Times) — Xing Kebin presents one of the Falun Gong movements at Union Square in New York City on May 11, 2025. Zhao Fenni/The Epoch Times

“I found the ultimate meaning of life,” Xing told the Epoch Times.

Sand Zoo, who participated in the Dragon and Lion dance, said he began practicing with his mother when he was young. Now married, he remembers that he has been a better student, following the teachings of Falun Gong.

Sandzoo and his wife (Zhao Fenni/The Epoch Times) in Union Square, New York City, May 11, 2025. — Sandzoo and his wife in Union Square, New York City, on May 11, 2025. Zhao Fenni/The Epoch Times

“My mind has calmed down and my grades continue to improve,” Zhu told the publication.

Falun Gong is an ancient Chinese discipline with moral teachings based on the principles of truth, compassion and tolerance. Official estimates at the time showed that at least 70 million people were covering practices in China before the CCP began persecuting the group.

Millions of Falun Gong practitioners are detained in prisons, labor camps and other facilities, with hundreds of thousands in prison while hundreds of thousands are incarcerated. Many died after being persecuted, but some were victims of organ collections that were forced to be approved by China.

The Marching Band will perform at the World Falun Dafaday celebration held at Union Square, New York City on May 11, 2025 (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times) — The Marching Band will perform at the World Falun Dafade celebration held at Union Square, New York City on May 11, 2025. Larry Dye/The Epoch Times

Sarah Matheson, a legal aide who works in New York, joined the festival with her 14-year-old daughter. Matheson said her Having practiced Falun Gong for nearly 20 years, its main text, “Zhuan Falun,” answered many of her questions. About life.

Matheson said he appreciated the House’s recent actions in dealing with China’s persecution.

“I would like to thank all the elected officials who recently voted for the Falun Gong Protection Act for passing the House. So I hope the Senate passes it again this year. And we can really help end the persecution in China.”

Zhao Fenni/The Epoch Times of Union Square, New York City, May 11, 2025 — Sarah Matheson of Union Square, New York City, on May 11th, 2025. Zhao Fenni/The Epoch Times

On May 5, the House of Commons passed the Falun Gong Protection Act (HR 1540) by voice voting without objection. The Act contains provisions to sanction individuals involved in the forced harvest of the organs of Falun practitioners.

Sarah Cook, former director of China research at Freedom House and author of the 2017 Freedom House report, “The Battle for China’s Spirit,” said on May 6 that the Senate should take the law quickly.

“It’s great to see this law pass the House and receive bipartisan support,” Cook wrote. “I hope we can quickly guide the Senate to the law and then have a real impact. That includes important provisions on transparency and accountability for horrifying abuse that have been going on for so long.”

Another New York event celebrating World Fanada Faday took place on May 9th. At that time, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners marched across Manhattan in a parade. The parade began at Dag Hamars Joldode Plaza on 47th Avenue on the east side of the city, passing through midtown before finishing near China’s comfort on 42nd Avenue on the Hudson River.

Zhao Fenni and NTD contributed to this report.