In response to the incident where security personnel at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles used pepper spray to attack multiple protesters on January 4, Chinese lawyer Chen Chuangchuang stated during a rally on Sunday, January 11, that “those who do wrong will ultimately come to a bad end,” expressing confidence in winning the compensation lawsuit.
On Sunday afternoon, over ten organizations in Los Angeles gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate to protest the illegal use of pepper spray by a security guard surnamed Wu, who attacked peaceful demonstrators, resulting in eight injuries and three individuals being urgently taken to hospitals. The security guard was arrested by the police after the incident and has been released on bail.
According to the rally organizer Jielijian, due to concerns about the security guard potentially attacking protesters again, six individuals among the organizers and victims have jointly requested the court to issue a restraining order, including restrictions on the security guard’s possession of weapons, contact with demonstrators, and visiting the victims’ residences and workplaces.
“The court hearing is scheduled for January 29, and we are seeking to convert the restraining order into a permanent or 3-5 year protective order. Civil rights organizations have also become involved in this matter,” Jielijian said.
Meanwhile, the victims and rally organizers are seeking legal remedies to hold accountable the Chinese Consulate, individuals involved, and relevant security companies for the physical and psychological harm caused.
“Chinese diplomatic officials have a history of such actions in the United States,” noted Chen Chuangchuang during the speech, emphasizing how Chinese influence continues to perpetrate transnational repression, with consulate security or pro-Communist individuals committing acts of violence in multiple cities, including the recent use of pepper spray.
In 2016, a Shanghai petitioner, Fu Yuxia, and several others protested in front of the Chinese Consulate in New York and were beaten by security personnel hired by the Chinese government, leaving Fu with permanent shoulder disabilities. It is known that the security company was willing to settle for millions of dollars, an offer Fu Yuxia rejected.
In 2022, in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., protester Qiao Jie was severely injured by consulate staff and hospitalized in intensive care. The following year, she filed a lawsuit against China in a Washington court, seeking $25 million in compensation.
In November 2023, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in San Francisco, pro-Communist thugs assaulted numerous protesters and used pepper spray to attack Chen Chuangchuang himself. Legal proceedings related to this incident are ongoing.
Chen Chuangchuang explained that before the January 4 attack, a protester had told the security guard standing on the sidewalk, “This is American territory, your threats are challenging the United States, challenging its sovereignty,” which provoked the guard.
“He thought being employed by the Chinese Communist Party allowed him to enforce laws on Chinese territory, granting him immunity, but that’s not the case,” Chen Chuangchuang pointed out. Firstly, the sidewalk is outside Chinese territory, so the guard does not enjoy immunity; secondly, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) clearly states that immunity protection does not extend beyond the consulate walls.
Pepper spray primarily contains capsaicin, causing immediate severe pain, coughing, tears, and difficulty breathing. While considered non-lethal, it can still cause serious harm to the human body, and medical professionals believe it may pose a life-threatening risk to individuals with certain conditions.
Chen Chuangchuang believes that legally, the victims have a strong case, with full rights to sue the Chinese authorities, the Los Angeles consulate, the security company, and individuals under U.S. law. He is confident in winning the lawsuit.
Organizations participating in the rally that day included the International Alliance of Chinese Democracy Party, Chinese Social Democratic Party, Full Committee of the Chinese Democratic Party, Taiwan Public Affairs Council Los Angeles Chapter, LAM2 Los Angeles Burmese Movement representative, Southern California Tibetan Association, Korean-American Alliance, Los Angeles Chinese Democratic Platform, Overseas Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Alliance, China Dialogue Think Tank, Hong Kong Liberal Democratic Party, Far East Youth Freedom League, among others. Attendees collectively condemned the consulate security’s violent actions.
Dr. Namgyal Wangdu, president of the Southern California Tibetan Association, expressed outrage after watching the footage of the event, stating that he cannot accept such incidents occurring within the United States borders.
Human rights lawyer Xu Silong remarked that the incident was shocking, stating, “The Chinese Communist Party extending violence and terror to the United States is a very serious issue and a huge violation of the democratic world and U.S. sovereignty.”
Jielijian expressed gratitude for the support and attention from U.S. congressional members and all guests, affirming plans to unite with more organizations to hold the perpetrators of this international persecution accountable, ensuring the Chinese authorities pay a heavy price.