FDI: Local Pro-Communist Chinese Leader Arrested for Assaulting Falun Gong Practitioners in New York City

NEW YORK (FDI) -- Mr. Guan Jun Liang, a pro-Communist (or pro-Beijing) Chinese leader and chairman of the Unified Organization of Overseas Chinese Associations, was arrested on the evening of Wednesday, June 25, 2003 by New York City police, for his leading role in a group assault against a number of peacefully demonstrating Falun Gong practitioners Monday night (news).

Liang was charged with assault on Mr. Jun Li, a Falun Gong practitioner from the New York area. Witnesses say Liang both directed and participated in the attack, carried out by some 40 people. Jun Li suffered multiple injuries, including a black eye and bloody nose.

The group assault took place in front of Yi Dong Restaurant in New York's Chinatown where the Falun Gong practitioners were peacefully protesting China's brutal campaign of terror and genocide against all members of the practice in China.

Present at the banquet were Yingfan Wang, the departing UN ambassador from the People's Republic of China, and Hongxi Zhang, the Consular-General from the Chinese Consulate in New York City, according to the World Journal.

During the assault, witnesses report that attackers shouted "If you are Falun Gong, I will beat you to death!" As Liang was escorted by police following his arrest Wednesday night, he paused and addressed reporters, shouting "Evil cult!" -- a term commonly used by Jiang Zemin's regime to defame Falun Gong, both in China and overseas.

Liang is escorted by a New York City police officer following his arrest Wednesday night.

The attacks appear not to be aimed at specific individuals, but rather at their victims' practice and belief in Falun Gong, characterizing the crime as one of hatred, targeted at a public group.

# # #

NEWS -- Jun. 27, 2003

Falun Dafa Information Center, www.faluninfo.net

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's Communist leader Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.

The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 744 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps, typically without trial.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER -- Gail Rachlin 917-501-4441, Levi Browde 914-720-0963, Erping Zhang 646-533-6147, or Feng Yuan 917-941-1097. Email: faluninfoctr@nycmail.com, Website: http://www.faluninfo.net/

 Yearly Archive   Printer Version