NEW YORK—City Council Member Tony Avella, commented on recent incidents that have occurred in Flushing during an interview in his Queens office on Sept. 23.
The Flushing incident began when attacks against Falun Gong practitioners by a pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) group numbering in the hundreds erupted in Flushing on May 17. Similar attacks have continued on a smaller scale since that date.
An investigative call made to the New York Chinese Consul General Peng Keyu, recorded him admitting to have met with and encouraged the attackers. Peng is now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and is facing possible expulsion from the U.S. if allegations of his involvement are found to be true.
Shortly after hearing about the recording of Peng, Avella sent letters to the FBI and State Department, making the point that if the voice in the recording can be confirmed to be that of the Chinese consul general, that Peng should be expelled from the U.S.
Falun Gong practitioners in Flushing have referred to the Peng Keyu’s involvement in the attacks against them as an extension of the persecution of Falun Gong in China onto U.S. soil. In China, practitioners of Falun Gong, a meditation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, has been brutally persecuted by the CCP since 1999, when a government poll found that between 70 and 100 million Chinese were practicing.
When asked about his thoughts about Peng’s alleged involvement in the Flushing incidents in Flushing, Avella stated that, “I think it’s absolutely disgraceful. China should be given a very strong warning that we’re not going to put up with this,” said Avella. “It’s bad enough that they commit human rights abuses in their own country, but to export violence against individuals in this country is unacceptable.”
After numerous attacks occurred, and many of the attackers having been arrested by NYPD, the pro-CCP group changed tactics, and,on Aug. 2nd received permits to set up two tables on the streets of Flushing where they now distribute hate propaganda against Falun Gong.
At least two of the individuals working at the tables have been arrested for attacking Falun Gong practitioners. On Sept. 7, one of the workers, Rong Shen, also allegedly attacked a Falun Gong practitioner who was passing by one of the tables.
Tee shirts distributed by workers at the table that have slanderous slogans against Falun Gong written on it them were sent to Avella’s office to show what was happening. Avella commented on the issue, saying,
“Somebody had sent me some of the represented tee shirts and one of them I sent over to the Queens District Attorney’s office because it’s part of a larger hate crime issue,” said Avella. “It’s not just having a tee shirt, it’s an effort, an organized effort to attack one particular group. So hopefully [the District Attorney] will take some enforcement effort.”
“Why is the city issuing permits to this group if they’re advocating violence? If they’re just giving out information then that’s freedom of speech, but if they’re advocating violence then that shouldn’t be allowed,” said Avella.
Adding another twist to the story, it was found that, after refusing to speak out against the attacks, City Council Member John Liu, and State Assemblywoman Ellen Young, had met with and defended those who had attacked the Falun Gong practitioners. A local committee in Flushing is now calling for the removal of both officials from office.
“Whenever this type of situation occurs it’s incumbent upon elected officials to speak out against it,” said Avella. “That’s why I’m actually shocked that John Liu hasn’t actually spoken out against the attacks. Whether they are our constituents or not, whenever there is violence against a particular group, which is basically a hate crime, it’s incumbent on every elected official to speak out against it.”
