(Clearwisdom.net) On Sunday June 1, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners gathered in Flushing, New York to practice the exercises, and to later pass out truth-clarifying materials to local people. Following the pattern of recent weeks, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) instigators organized a few attacks of practitioners, but for the most part, local Chinese seemed supportive. Here are a few stories.
Mr. Guo came to America 30 years ago. He said he's been coming to the Flushing Library every day recently to see what the CCP would try to do next. Mr. Guo said that those who have been attacking Falun Gong practitioners are directed by the CCP.
"Falun Gong practitioners sit there quietly, but the others who come to attack act crazy, making horrible noises," Mr. Guo said, "You cannot listen to or believe those people."
Mr. Guo said that the assaults by the CCP cause Chinese people to lose face in America.
Practitioners hold banners protesting recent attacks
Mr. Yang came to Flushing three years ago from China. On June 1, he expressed his admiration for Falun Gong practitioners.
Mr. Yang said he first heard about Falun Gong in 1999, when the CCP launched the persecution of the practice. He was amazed that Falun Gong spread so fast in China. He said the CCP is afraid of Falun Gong because so many people are practicing it.
Mr. Yang said he has seen many practitioners in Flushing, and they all behave peacefully. He said Falun Gong must be good for all ages, because he has seen young and old, both Chinese and western. "It must be a good practice," he said.
Group exercise
Divine Land Marching Band
Signing a petition in support of Falun Gong
Mr. Yang said he does not practice Falun Gong himself, "But I am deeply touched by their peaceful spirits."
"Those who attacked Falun Gong are crazy," Mr. Yang said: "You don't have to believe in Falun Gong, but you should not attack those who do believe."
Mr. Yang said that Chinese people should ask why the CCP government did not publish the earthquake warnings it received weeks in advance of the devastating quake in Sichuan, and why so many school buildings collapsed. The government should not attack Falun Gong and incite hatred, particularly as a means of distracting the public from its own failings regarding the earthquake.
Mr. Cao Jintao, a member of the Citizen Freedom Association, condemned the CCP-instigated attacks against Falun Gong. Mr. Cao said that there is plenty of evidence that the CCP orchestrated the assaults behind the scenes. He said practitioners' rights are protected by American laws.
Mr. Cao said that the Citizen Freedom Association filed a lawsuit against the Chinese government for not publishing the earthquake warnings. He said, "The CCP is trying to maintain a good image before the Olympics, but ignores ordinary citizens' lives. After the earthquake, they use the disaster to distract people's attention from their human rights violations." Mr. Cao called upon Chinese people not to believe the CCP's lies.
Mr. Li Anjun, an engineer from Long Island, passed by the Flushing Library. He saw a group of thugs insulting a Falun Gong practitioner, who was passing out Epoch Times newspapers. Mr. Li couldn't stand it. He went up to the practitioner, asking for a copy of the newspaper to show his support.
Mr. Li said, "Everyone has freedom of speech in this country. It is protected by law. Everyone also has freedom of belief. This is a free country. If they don't like it, they should go back to China. They have no right to attack others."
Ms. Su said, "I heard several people who attacked Falun Gong complain that the police helped Falun Gong and arrested several of the assailants." Ms. Su said, "That's nonsense, of course. The police should help Falun Gong. It is so obvious that Falun Gong practitioners are so peaceful, but those goons yell and attack them. Of course the police should help the good people."
