FLUSHING, New York City—Flushing residents offered words of support to Falun Gong practitioners in light of the recent violence from pro-communist mobs. The incidents in Flushing, which began on May 17, were incited by Chinese state-controlled media when it broadcasted fabricated stories that Falun Gong practitioners were stopping donations from reaching victims of the Sichuan earthquake. A recording from the New York Chinese Consul General Keyu Peng also points to involvement by the Chinese Consulate in encouraging the violence.
After having been subjected to weeks of verbal and physical attacks due to their beliefs, Falun Gong practitioners have continued to peacefully pass out materials to help explain the situation and clarify any misconceptions. The situation has gradually calmed down as people have come to understand the situation. Police have arrested at least nine attackers since May 17.
When asked about the incidents in Flushing, Fabian Nieto, 28, who works as a doorman, gave his comments. "I just think it's something very primitive. They can't tell people what to believe in. It's wrong. This sheds light on so many things that are going on," said Nieto. "We should at least not let that happen here. We can't help it if that happens out there [China], as we have no jurisdiction, but we shouldn't let it happen here."
Nieto also commented about the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, which has been ongoing since 1999. "The persecution is just wrong. People should be free to believe in what they want, and especially people that are so peaceful. They shouldn't be persecuted," said Nieto.
As the situation has begun to change, many Chinese living in Flushing have begun to state their withdrawals from the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. According to the Flushing office of the Global Service Center for Quitting the Chinese Communist Party, in the past two days, 18 people have withdrawn in Flushing alone.
The Service Centers for Quitting the CCP are located in Chinese communities throughout the world, allowing Chinese expatriates to publicly withdraw from the Party's organizations.
Alberto Leban, 28, a native of Mexico City, has been studying English in New York for the past four months. Leban said that he has read about the persecution of Falun Gong as well as the incidents in Flushing. "This is a different country," said Leban. "Why are they making problems in this country? Why try to disturb these people? It seems so strange to me."
"I've never heard about another country making problems in a different country like this. It's crazy, completely crazy," said Leban.
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