NEW YORK—Three people who were arrested in Flushing in connection with attacks against Falun Gong practitioners appeared at the Queens Criminal Court on July 1 for trial. Flushing residents expressed concern as Shao Liu, who had been arrested for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, was let off with a conditional discharge and court fine.
Others who were on trial were John Yang, who faced charges of assault and harassment, and Guang Chen, charged with disorderly conduct and harassment. Both were arrested for their involvement in a violent mob protest on May 20 in Flushing. The incident sparked the beginning of a series of verbal and physical attacks against people who practice Falun Gong.
"This decision is not enough to stop this kind of behavior from happening again," said Flushing resident Zhang Pei Lan. Lan added that she doesn't hate the people for what they have done, but believes they should have been charged with hate crimes for their actions.
According to an earlier report, during the incident, "The mob shouted, spit, threw eggs and physically attacked the small group of volunteers that tended the booth outside the Flushing Library. Two attendants were assaulted after attempting to take picture of their assailants. Police arrested Guang Chen and Fu Ni following the attack."
The final charges for Yang and Chen could not be determined due to court room changes.
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