【Epoch Times June 2, 2024】Activist Sheng Xue, who has settled in Canada, arrived in Los Angeles this Wednesday to participate in the 35th anniversary commemoration of June 4th. She received death threats from the communist forces on X platform. Despite this, on Friday (31st), she still came to the Taiwan Hall as scheduled to attend the seminar themed “Overthrow the CCP” organized by the Chinese Democratic Party Headquarters.
To ensure the safety of Sheng Xue and the venue, the Los Angeles County police dispatched multiple officers to maintain security and guard the event until its conclusion.
Before the seminar started, the front of Taiwan Hall was filled with parked vehicles. The organizers arranged multiple staff members to guard the venue, and attendees had to make reservations in advance and undergo identity verification. At around 3:20 pm, Sheng Xue’s vehicle and the police vehicle arrived simultaneously.
“I am quite moved to see so many friends here today,” Sheng Xue said during her speech, stating that if they were to cancel events or stop what they aimed to do due to the CCP’s death threats, “then the CCP would have won in a small battle. They will use the same methods to threaten all those who are still advocating for democracy, freedom, and human rights in China.”
Sheng Xue expressed gratitude for the police’s attention to the event’s security and protection. She explained why she risked facing death threats to speak, saying, “If our anti-CCP actions and speech are silenced even in free democratic countries, what do you think will happen next?”
“In fact, they (those issuing death threats) dare not come; their madness is precisely because this regime is in dire and difficult circumstances,” Sheng Xue said. She emphasized the significance of life, stating, “A person must live like a person, so that when people see you, hear you, and get to know you, they can see a spirit, a spirit that includes not succumbing to the tyranny of power.”
Vice Chairman Jie Lijian of the Chinese Democratic Party Headquarters mentioned that they have coordinated with the Los Angeles County police, Taiwan Hall, and the FBI regarding the transnational persecution by overseas CCP police. The FBI also had personnel on-site. Security personnel were present both inside and outside the venue, stating that if the death threateners appeared, not only would the police arrest them, but the attendees would also intervene.
Furthermore, the organizers contacted a security company to provide Sheng Xue with a bulletproof vest, which she ultimately did not wear.
Lieutenant Perez and his colleagues from the Los Angeles County Police arrived early at the scene. Perez said they received notice of an event in the area that needed extra attention and rushed over. During the meeting, another police car arrived and parked outside the venue. At that time, a Tesla car in the parking lot suddenly honked for no apparent reason, and the officers quickly identified the owner’s name and informed the organizers to contact the owner to handle the situation.
The account on X that issued death threats has been frozen after being reported.
Upon learning of the death threats received by the speaker at the Friday seminar, Taiwan Hall Director Wu Zhaofeng immediately contacted local law enforcement. He mentioned that the venue hosts various events for different organizations and, therefore, has experience in security matters, ensuring that law enforcement agencies were promptly informed of the seriousness of the issue.
Wu Zhaofeng introduced that two police officers from the Los Angeles County Police Department were initially dispatched to the scene that day, aiming to deter any potential criminals from engaging in unlawful activities.
Two years ago, at a church event in Irvine, Orange County, Taiwanese Christian believers did face a shooting incident, resulting in one fatality and four injuries. Since then, every center for activities has taken a more serious approach to security matters. Wu Zhaofeng intentionally canceled other schedules that day to remain on-site at the hall to address any arising issues promptly.
“Regardless of whether it is a credible threat, we treat it as a formal and serious threat. Today is no exception. We need to ensure the successful completion of this event,” he said. “After all, the main purpose of this event is to let more people know more truth and correct information, a type of activity that should be encouraged.”
Wu Zhaofeng further expressed that the majority of Chinese residents in the Los Angeles area seek peace and come to the US hoping to fulfill their American dreams. However, there are always some unlawful individuals who may have been influenced or incited by the CCP due to personal gains, resulting in extreme behavior.
After the seminar ended, when Sheng Xue and her friends were heading to another location to park, they noticed someone in a car filming them with a phone. As they approached the vehicle, the individual quickly drove off. While Sheng Xue was dining at a restaurant, unidentified persons were observed walking strangely nearby; upon inquiry, they promptly left.
This newspaper will continue to monitor the security issues during Sheng Xue’s visit to Southern California.