Comment by a New York City Police Officer

Recently a Hong Kong Central District Court judge rendered his verdict: Falun Gong practitioners were guilty of "obstructing traffic" and "assaulting the police." There were only a handful of Falun Gong practitioners standing in the large area in front of the Chinese Liaison Office. Surprisingly they were accused of "obstructing the street." There were twelve female Falun Gong practitioners out of the sixteen arrested; unexpectedly they were accused of "attacking the police." Who would not have many questions about this verdict?

During late August and early September 2000, government leaders from 150 different nations gathered in New York City to attend the United Nations Year 2000 meeting. This was a good opportunity for people who were being persecuted and oppressed by countries that didn't have democracy and freedom to appeal to the world's leaders and let their voices be heard.

This event dramatically increased the workload of the New York City Police. In order to guarantee the safety of the meeting while preserving the normal operations of New York City, many police officers were borrowed from other areas. The police needed to preserve the rights of protest groups and at the same time maintain order and safety. Their job was very demanding.

During those protest activities, Falun Gong's peaceful appeal was the most noteworthy. First of all, Falun Gong had the most people. Their parade through mid-town Manhattan was eight blocks long; their attire was also the neatest. Of even greater importance, their parade and appeal activities were the most peaceful and orderly. They walked calmly, in neat order, and their appeal did not have any screaming and yelling. After the appeal, they did not leave behind any litter. One police officer responsible for security remarked to a reporter next to him, "If all the other groups acted like them, we would have nothing to do and there would be no need for us to be here."

It is not only the New York police officers that feel this way. During the past three years, Falun Gong practitioners have conducted appeals all over the world, and people everywhere have witnessed their peacefulness and orderliness. If Hong Kong's verdict proves anything at all, it proves just how much Hong Kong's freedom and justice have been eroded.