Hong Kong: CCP-Hired Thugs Destroy Truth Clarification Site, People from All Walks of Life Condemn Violence

Hong Kong Falun Gong practitioners have set up truth clarification sites and service centres to help people quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in public for many years. They have helped many Chinese tourists from China and local citizens learn the facts about Falun Gong and have raised people's awareness about the CCP persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. They have also helped many Chinese people register their resignations from the CCP and its affiliated organisations. The CCP sees them as a thorn in its side. On November 13th, 2011, two Chinese men (CCP-hired thugs) assaulted the practitioners' “Quitting the CCP” service centre at Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kokis. Both of the thugs were arrested. Practitioners strongly condemn the CCP for hiring thugs to commit bad deeds and urge the Hong Kong government to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. Many legislative councilors and citizens condemn the CCP for exporting violence, which seriously damages Hong Kong's core values.

The thugs tore down displays, banners, and tables on the afternoon of November 13th, 2011, on Hong Kong’s Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kokis

The second man (middle) who smashed the Quit-the-CCP displays is questioned and arrested by Hong Kong police on November 13th, 2011

One thug admits: “I did it just for a little benefit”

Ms. Ye, an eyewitness, said that some time after noon a man in his 30s or 40s, dressed in a camouflage uniform, walked up and started kicking down the display boards, turning over tables, and hitting Mr. Hong, one of the volunteers, in the chest. The man kept kicking and swearing in Cantonese until the police arrived and stopped him. Police later confirmed that the man was from mainland China.

Around 3 pm, another man came and kicked down the newly restored tables and display boards. “The gangster pushed over all the racks, pushcarts, and display boards,” she said. When the police arrived to question and arrest the man, he told them in Cantonese, “I did it just for a little benefit.”

Citizens urge: Deal severely with the violence and protect freedom of speech

Meanwhile a large crowd gathered, wanting to know what was going on. Many of them condemned the violence, saying that Hong Kong protects freedom of speech.

One onlooker told the police to be sure to arrest and charge the man and put him on a trial, because “the CCP covers for these people, and they dare to cause destruction wherever they go.” “They are not just targeting Falun Gong,” he said. “No one is allowed to say anything bad about the CCP. This is not an isolated event, it’s like this with everything.”

Mrs. Li, a Hong Kong citizen who recently returned from abroad, said, “I feel it's wrong if there is no freedom of speech.” She had seen Falun Gong truth clarification sites in other countries but had never seen them damaged like this. Mrs. Li stressed that it was important that the Hong Kong government protects people's rights.

Swedish tourist Stran, a media professional, said, “It's terrible. I wonder who would do such a thing.” She said that acts of violence do no good to Hong Kong's international image.

Legislative councilors condemn the violence, call for an investigation, and urge that the perpetrators be punished

Legislative Councilor Wong Sing-chi emphasized that acts of violence are not allowed in Hong Kong and called upon the Hong Kong government to bring the thugs to justice.

Wong believed that the incident seriously damages Hong Kong's core values, “It is obvious that Hong Kong's international image is damaged. We have claimed that we are a place of freedom and democracy. That such acts of violence that keep others from expressing their opinions are carried out here will discourage many foreign tourists and absolutely impact Hong Kong's international image.”

Legislative Councilor, Leung Yiu-chung said the recent violent events should give the Hong Kong government cause to reflect. Leung called upon the police to conduct a serious investigation and fairly and impartially handle the matter.

Practitioner: The CCP exposes its disgraceful conduct

Kan Hung Cheung, spokesperson for the Hong Kong Falun Dafa Association, strongly condemned the violence. He said, “Falun Gong practitioners' truth clarification sites and Quit the CCP service centres have played a crucial role in exposing the CCP's evil nature and its persecution of Falun Gong, so they cause the CCP great distress. The CCP, in turn, has committed a series of outrages, from organising elementary school students to deface practitioners' display boards to exerting pressure on the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to interfere with and harass practitioners' truth-clarification activities. They even went so far as to send thugs to assault practitioners. The CCP forces have instigated, bought, and incited its followers, gangsters, and accomplices to interfere with and disrupt Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to clarify the facts. Some incidents appeared to be isolated, but, actually, they were not accidental. Should such scandals be exposed, they would inevitably be strongly condemned by people from all walks of life, which is a good opportunity for people to see the CCP for what it is.”

Kan Hung Cheung said he has urged local Hong Kong authorities to focus closely on these violent events, to fully investigate them, and to arrest the people who are really behind it all. They must get to the bottom of this in order to protect Falun Gong practitioners and their regular peaceful events.