Asian man attacks Falun Gong practitioners at Brooklyn parade

On September 14, during a parade celebrating the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival in Brooklyn's Chinatown, an Asian man attacked two female practitioners of Falun Gong, a spiritual meditation practice. Witnesses reported that the assailant first spat on one woman holding a Falun Gong banner. A male volunteer guard intervened to protect her, but the attacker managed to punch another coordinator, Wang Lirong, from behind. This incident escalated as the attacker returned to strike Wang again before fleeing into a nearby bank. Falun Gong, introduced to the public in China in 1992, emphasizes principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance. By 1999, it had garnered a significant following, with estimates of practitioners ranging from 70 million to 100 million. The practice has faced severe persecution from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has led to ongoing tensions and hostility towards its practitioners, particularly in areas with a significant Chinese population. Wang Xiaoling, another witness, noted that the attacker had a history of harassing female practitioners in the area for about a decade. This pattern of behavior reflects a broader campaign against Falun Gong, which has been ongoing since at least 2008, as the CCP has sought to suppress the movement and its followers. The Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP, which promotes renouncing oaths to the party, was also present at the parade, highlighting the ongoing struggle against CCP oppression. The incident underscores the risks faced by Falun Gong practitioners in public spaces, particularly during events that promote their beliefs. The attack not only raises concerns about individual safety but also reflects the larger societal tensions surrounding the practice and the CCP's influence in the community.