(Minghui.org) The scandal of Chinese people attacking Falun Gong practitioners in San Francisco's Chinatown has caused widespread concern. There is cause to believe that such attacks are instigated by Chinese Consulate officials. On July 18, 2012, US Congressman Ed Royce,senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, specifically concerning the attack case.
US Congressman Edward R. Royce from California
United States
House of Representatives
July 18, 2012
Edward R. Royce
Fortieth District-California
The Honorable Kurt Campbell
Assistant Secretary
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N. W.|
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Assistant Secretary Campbell:
For over a decade, the Chinese Communist Party has relentlessly and brutally cracked down on peaceful Falun Gong practitioners. Severe beatings and killings are commonplace. I fear that this type of persecution is spreading from China to our shores. I am writing you because it may involve official Chinese representation in the United States.
On June 10, 2012, several Falun Gong practitioners were attacked during their demonstration in San Francisco, CA, protesting the persecution of their adherents in China. A video of the event shows an individual punching an elderly man in the face. Reportedly, the assailant also taunted the group, saying, “If I were in mainland China, I would break your leg.” Six days later, on June 16th, a similar attack on Falun Gong practitioners occurred in the Chinatown neighborhood of San Francisco.
I understand that these attacks are not uncommon. Some have reported that there have been nine such attacks against Falun Gong practitioners in the Bay Area over the past eight months, seven of them occurring in Chinatown.
Especially troubling are accusations that the Chinese Government is involved these incidents. According to one report, Chinese Consulate officials have paid individuals to harass Falun Gong practitioners and disrupt their demonstrations. If true, this obviously is deeply troubling. Has the State Department investigated these claims against the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco? If so, have any actions been taken against members of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco?
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Tom Sheehy or Hunter Strupp in my office at (202)225-4111.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce
