Prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States, several Chinese democratic groups held a protest rally and march in Flushing, New York on September 20. The organizers stated that they had received threats involving bombings and death prior to the event. One threat even claimed that if democratic activists were allowed to hold anti-communist activities in front of the Flushing Public Library, a bomb would be detonated at the library.
Despite the intimidation by the Chinese Communist Party, participants did not succumb to fear and the protest continued as planned. The Flushing library opened as usual at noon that day.
The event was jointly organized by several groups including the China Democracy Party International Alliance, China Democracy and Human Rights Alliance, China New Era People’s Party, Christian Justice Alliance, and others. Participants gathered in front of the Flushing Library on Main Street, holding up banners against the CCP’s transnational repression, chanting “Down with the Communist Party” and “Eliminate the Communist Party.”
Chairman Jie Lijian of the China Democracy Party International Alliance stated that the organization and himself had received threatening messages involving bombings and death threats recently. According to a screenshot of an email sent to the Queens Public Library customer service department, the sender claimed to have placed explosives made of liquid nitroglycerin, diatomaceous earth, and a simple remote detonation device in the Flushing library. The threat warned that if the China Democracy Party and other anti-communist groups were allowed to parade by the library, “these explosives will detonate.”
The Flushing library had previously received similar threats, which were ultimately deemed false bomb threats by the police, categorized as “hoaxes.”
Jie Lijian stated that these despicable threats blatantly expose the CCP’s thuggery and evil, showing the threat of the CCP to U.S. national security and community safety.
He condemned the CCP for using threats to carry out transnational repression against overseas dissidents, attempting to undermine freedom of speech in the United States. “We are not afraid,” Jie Lijian said, noting that these threats only reinforce their determination to protest against Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C., “this is forced by the Communist Party!”
Jie Lijian mentioned that on June 16th this year, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Resolution 444, affirming that the CCP leader poses a threat to world security, commits crimes against humanity, and engages in genocide. Furthermore, the CCP has consistently violated human rights, suppressed dissidents, restricted freedom of speech and religion, and oppressed minority groups. “Today, we want to tell the world: the United States should not become a platform for authoritarian rulers to whitewash themselves; Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S. is viewed as a major insult and sacrilege to this land of freedom, the home of the brave.”
During the event, the organizers listed the “Top Ten Crimes of the CCP,” addressing issues such as human rights abuses, transnational repression, overseas police stations, the fentanyl crisis, digital surveillance, the spread of the CCP virus worldwide, and military pressure in the Taiwan Strait.
A large display board at the scene was titled “The CCP and Xi Jinping are Destroying America,” showcasing individuals named or prosecuted in several U.S. legal cases in recent years, along with cases related to the CCP’s overseas infiltration and transnational oppression.
After the rally, participants marched through the downtown Flushing area carrying a model coffin labeled “Bury the CCP,” continuing to voice their opposition to the CCP and protest against Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S.
As the protest march approached the Chang Fat Supermarket on Main Street, they encountered a pro-Xi Jinping welcoming procession organized by the American Prosperous Chinatown Association, themed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Visible in the welcoming procession were hometown associations from Henan, Wenzhou, and others, waving the five-starred red flag.
An informant informed the media that the pro-CCP group’s parade was actually organized as a welcoming procession for Xi’s visit to the U.S., and most of the participants would also head to Washington D.C. to “welcome” Xi Jinping, with an estimated activity funding of approximately $500,000.
Democracy advocates shouted, “If you love the CCP so much, go back to China!” criticizing the pro-CCP individuals for enjoying the freedoms and social benefits of the United States while supporting the oppressive Chinese regime. Both sides engaged in shouting matches separated by police and crowds.
Suddenly, a tall man in blue rushed out from the pro-CCP crowd, snatching a protest banner from democratic activist Yang Lei’s hands and making kicking motions towards Yang Lei. Police officers promptly apprehended the man, handcuffing him and escorting him into a police car.
However, the CCP’s arrogance did not cease. According to Jie Lijian, while they were at the 109th Precinct station to report the incident, around 6 p.m., he received another threatening email in his inbox. This email, impersonating New York City Council Member Zohran Mamdani, claimed that police officers and their families at the 109th Precinct may face death from car attacks or poisoning.
Jie Lijian stated, “The CCP is a paper tiger, and this is their craziness before their downfall. These insane actions precisely indicate the CCP’s impending downfall.” Faced with these rogues, they will not back down but rather encourage more people to protest in Washington D.C. He emphasized that democratic groups will continue to publicly express their opposition to the CCP’s transnational repression and demand for human rights, democracy, and freedom while ensuring safety and cooperating with U.S. law enforcement.