Harassment Against Falun Gong in Hong Kong Escalates

Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong say they are facing increasing threats from individuals associated with the Communist regime.

For years, adherents have set up banners exposing the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of the spiritual practice. In June, a newly registered group called Hong Kong Youth Care Association Limited began moving in on these displays.

This escalated on Wednesday evening, when dozens of the Association's members turned up at a tourist attraction where Falun Gong practitioners had already set up banners.

The Association members put up their own banners, labeling Falun Gong as an "evil cult". This is a term frequently seen in Communist propaganda, and is meant to discredit Falun Gong.

One woman in the group retaliated when Falun Gong practitioners claimed that the Communist Party itself was an evil cult.

[Member of Hong Kong Youth Care Association Limited
"I am [part of] the evil cult, I'm here to specifically target you who aren't an evil cult, is that okay with you?" [this was a fierce statement]

The Vice Chairman of the association obstructed NTD's reporter who was there to cover the incident.

Later, another woman was spotted waving a saw around. A nearby policeman was alerted, but he said he couldn't do anything because the woman did not injure anyone.

In recent months, Falun Gong practitioners outside of China have reported increased incidents of harassment and attacks by people they believe are linked to the Chinese regime. Four practitioners were physically assaulted in San Francisco in June. One of the attackers faces a court hearing at the end of July.