FLUSHING, New York City—Several thousand people from all over the world filled the streets of Flushing on Saturday to support the efforts of Falun Gong practitioners to stop the ongoing persecution in China against their peaceful spiritual practice.
The large parade and rally came about due to the large-scale attempts by the New York Chinese Consulate General to silence the voice of Falun Gong.
One method that Falun Gong practitioners have adopted to bring an end to the persecution in China is to set up the Global Service Centers for Quitting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) via the internet, telephone, or at tables at busy public locations.
These efforts by Falun Gong have resulted in 37 million Chinese withdrawing from China's communist organizations and have infuriated the regime.
The regime's anger has lead New York's Chinese Consul General to organize and pay thugs to attack Falun Gong practitioners who volunteer at the service center for quitting the CCP in Flushing, New York City.
However, local police and the U.S Congress have been informed about the Chinese Consul General's hate crimes and efforts to take away Falun Gong's constitutional right of freedom of speech.
One elderly lady and her daughter Maria, who are from communist Cuba, observed the rally and said, "We are against the [communist] system in Cuba and we support these people in China."
Maria could relate with the practitioners after her experience in Cuba: "They destroyed my country."
When she learned that Falun Gong practitioners volunteer at the service centers for quitting the Chinese Communist Party she said, "That is great; it is good work that they do."
Another gentleman present said that if people's rights are taken away, then you must take action such as holding this rally.
A supervisor for Time Warner Cable spoke of the larger situation, and why more has not been done to support Falun Gong practitioners.
"I believe that they have an issue that needs to be addressed. And I think that we might be turning a blind eye for our own political reasons. It's sad… They [Falun Gong] are not getting the media attention that they deserve. And that's why half of the city does not even know about what's going on here in Flushing… And that, I believe, we are controlling… It's a shame!"
He then mentioned what he felt was the reason why more people are not doing something about the persecution: "Big money talks."
Bob, a retired educator, quickly stopped as he rode by on his bicycle and mentioned what he wants to do to stop these atrocities in China. "Have Americans stop trading with China, it will help America, and it will help their (Falun Gong's) cause."
When asked why this has not already happened, he responded, "Money, money, money, America loves money!"
Bob also mentioned that there are a lot of Americans who are anti-communist. But he added, "All governments have a right to exist, however they do not have the right to take away other peoples' rights, or have the right to hurt other people because they are not fitting with their style of government."
Bob is in favor of boycotting all goods that are made in China even if it would hurt our country, because, "You can't let money rule your life, but unfortunately we do…"
Dennis Atkinson, a retired man from Queens, was very supportive of Saturday's rally.
"I really believe that America is a very strong and powerful nation with a majority of good people, but we are in need of repair."
He continued, "We need to sit down and try to work out some of the wrongness that's happening—some of the things we see and turn our heads to. One injustice to any human being is just as [much an] injustice to another human being. If I'm not free, than you're not free either… I just hope that we are able to do something about this."
Dennis had learned about the persecution before and stated, "Discriminating against peaceful people because they have a different ideology… That in itself is wrong."
"You can't just go against everybody that does not think like you. We have an inalienable right as humans to have our voice be heard and pursue justice, and I hope that they (Falun Gong) are successful."
The presence of the hired communist thugs who oppose Falun Gong was noticeably weakened on Saturday, with only a few attempting to disrupt the events.
The New York Police Department used various tactics to dissipate the thugs from interfering with the rally and to keep the supporters safe.
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