FLUSHING, N.Y.—A time for renewal and reflection emerged as key themes for adherents of the spiritual practice Falun Gong who participated in Flushing’s Lunar New Year parade on Jan. 21 to usher in the year of the rabbit.
Hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners formed several segments of a thousands-strong parade that marched through the heart of New York City’s largest Chinese community. Thousands lined the parade route to watch the festivities.
Brightly-costumed dragon and lion dancers wowed crowds, ladies dressed as Chinese heavenly maidens handed out lotus flowers to passersby, a Chinese-American marching band played tunes inspired by divine melodies, and adherents held banners and flags with messages like “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance.”…