Indonesia: Falun Gong Practitioners Celebrate Independence Day in Bali and Riau Islands
Falun Gong practitioner hands out flyers to attendees at Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day parade held in Batam city, on the Riau Islands.
On August 13, 2023, Indonesian Falun Dafa practitioners participated in parades to celebrate Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day. They attended events held on Bali and the Riau Islands.
In Bali, the parade and celebrations were held on Renon Square in Denpasar, the largest city on Bali Island. Practitioners started the morning by doing the Falun Dafa exercises at Renon Square. When the parade started, practitioners played Falun Gong songs in a grand marching band performance. Others were simultaneously passing out flyers and petitions alongside the parade, calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Tourists from China, Indonesian citizens, and other onlookers expressed their support and took photos of the Falun Gong banners.
On the Riau Islands, Falun Gong practitioners joined the Independence Day parade held at the Dataran Engku Hamidah Park in Batam city. Approximately 5,000 people and over 50 floats participated in the parade, which started at 7:30 a.m.
Led by the waist drum team dressed in traditional gold costumes, the Falun Gong practitioners’ group also consisted of a cultural dance team, followed by a third team carrying Indonesia’s national flag and red and white balloons (Indonesia’s national colors). Onlookers applauded their music and dancing.
Many dignitaries and government officials were there, including Marlin Agustina, vice governor of the Riau Islands, and Batam mayor Muhammad Rudi. The practitioners were happy to be part of Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day celebrations along with other communities, and wished Batam parade attendees a happy, peaceful society consistent with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
