Recently, there have been many incidents of abuse caused by Beijing incited thugs beating Falun Gong practitioners in Flushing, NY. The attackers claimed Falun Gong interfered with fund raising activities for the relief of Sichuan earthquake victims in China.
The following content is from an Epoch Times interview with Dr. Yang Sen, President of the Mid-USA Falun Dafa Association regarding the above incidents.
In response to the question, "Does the attitude of U.S. Falun Gong practitioners toward the earthquake have anything to do with disaster-relief work in China?" Dr. Sen stated, "It's Beijing's duty to save the victims with tax payers' money. Falun Gong is a spiritual group that has no power to mobilize the military, police, transportation, or resources to relieve the disaster."
"Will shouting 'Bring down Falun Gong' resurrect kids that died in Sichuan or remove the corruption that caused unsafe [school] construction? Will organizing gangs to beat practitioners in Flushing cover-up the fact that the government knew about and concealed the coming of the earthquake?"
Regarding the role of several overseas Chinese newspapers who stirred up the flame by spreading rumors that: 'Falun Gong held banners Heaven Eliminates China.' Dr. Sen responded, "This is going too far! Most practitioners who are able to come to the United States are highly educated and hold Master's or Ph.D. degrees. In fact, the banners said Heaven Eliminates the Chinese Communist Party and Heaven Blesses China.
A man in Flushing came out of nowhere and damaged a banner. A police officer arrested him and took the banner as evidence. The broken banner said Heaven Blesses China. The man who attacked couldn't even read! The instigated revolutionary-like crowd talked and acted despicably and constantly beat the practitioners. Can these thugs represent the Chinese people? Do the Chinese people want to be [associated] with them?"
"Freedom of speech is allowed under the condition that you speak the truth and that it can stand-up in court. If media instigated and misled readers and caused someone harm, it is guilty as well. We will collect evidence regarding this aspect and I hope Chinese media in the United States comply with U.S. laws."
"I will tell you what Falun Gong practitioners' attitude is toward the disaster. After the massive flood took place in southern China in 1998, many practitioners fought to relieve the victims on the frontlines. Many had donated anonymously or just signed 'a Falun Gong practitioner.'"
"I donated through the Red Cross website after the Sichuan earthquake. I hope the money really goes to those in need. I have relatives and friends in Sichuan and I am still trying to reach them. I pray for all who suffered in the catastrophe and wish them safety."
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