By Stephen Stirling
Several hundred religious protesters led a rally against the Chinese government Sunday that briefly shut down a portion of Main Street, the latest in a string of anti-Communist rallies to be held in the area since mid-May.
Members of the anti-Communist religious group Falun Gong have appeared daily along the streets of downtown Flushing for several years, but their presence has become more controversial in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake that claimed more than 65,000 lives in central China last month.
Police said Sunday's protest, the largest of several to occur in recent weeks, was mainly peaceful and no arrests were made, though anti-Falun Gong protestors were in attendance.
Falun Gong is a spiritual practice introduced in China in the early 1990s by Li Hongzhi. It grew quickly, but was formally banned by the ruling Communist Party in 1999, creating a clash between the two groups that has lasted to this day.
Police said Chinese nationalists have sporadically engaged the Falun Gong members in Flushing since May 17, at times becoming violent, leading to several arrests. Police sources said the string of protests, which have been nearly daily, have put a strain on traffic and business in downtown Flushing and "are becoming a bit of a concern."
Police downplayed the violence that has occurred, however, calling it a series of isolated incidents that were quickly resolved.
Falun Gong members, however, believe something far more insidious is behind the attacks. They have accused the Chinese government of orchestrating attacks on their members during the rallies, arguing that the Communist superpower has recruited high school students from the area to disrupt their protests.
"These groups can be mobilized by the [Chinese] general consulate. People come on shifts, they are paid," said Crystal Liu, a Falun Gong supporter. "It's like a huge network and it can be very dangerous for us."
Calls to the Chinese Consulate-General in Manhattan were not returned for comment.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
