Rally against the ‘zero corona policy’ in front of the Chinese Consulate General in New York
“Inspired by resistance movements around the world… It was unimaginable even a month ago.”
On the 29th of last month (local time), the streets near the Chinese Consulate General in New York, USA are filled with Chinese Americans who came to pay tribute to the victims of the Urumqi fire. Provided by Hwang Min-hyuk
Yu Yao (37), who lives in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA, visited the Chinese Consulate General in New York on the 29th of last month (local time) with her husband Hwang Min-hyeok (41). She was to attend the anti-coronavirus rally of Chinese Americans.
It was the first time Yu, who was born in China and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 10, took part in the protest. “I am deeply moved by the resistance movement in China and around the world,” said Ms. Yu. “If people in China can speak out at the risk of being arrested or beaten by the police, what excuse can we have for our silence? ” he said.
Citizens brought flowers, candles, blank paper or A4 papers with their own slogans written on them, and placed flowers on the floor one after another to pay tribute to the victims of the Urumqi fire in Xinjiang. A heated speech ensued. Those speaking from the podium usually gave their real names, although some wore masks because they were concerned about the safety of their families in China or because they were planning to return to China.
Ms. Hwang said, “One speaker who identified himself as Uyghur said, ‘I told the Han Chinese about the situation we were going through before, but no one believed me. “Do you believe now?” and the scene where everyone answered “I believe” out loud was impressive.”
Many spoke about their reasons for participating in the protests as Chinese living abroad. One attendee said, “I have friends who say what’s the use of talking here when no one is listening, but can people who died in a fire in Urumqi speak? Can people whose basic lives are threatened by poverty speak? That is why we are here speaking for them.” When another attendee asked the crowd, “Would you like to go back to China and still participate in the protests?” the answer was “yes”.
Criticism of the authorities’ quarantine policy and President Xi Jinping continued. In the field video provided by Hwang, a man said, “We want real science. But in our reality, one person controls science at will. Right now, we have no jobs, no food, and survival itself has become a problem.” Together, the demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Xi Jinping step down,” “Long live freedom,” and “Long live democracy.”
In a sympathetic speech he heard at the protest site, Mr. Wi said, “I have been to several protests so far, but they were all protests by Americans. I was ashamed to be Chinese, but I am proud that I am Chinese at last.”
“A month ago, no one would have imagined that the Chinese were encouraging resistance by using phrases like ‘Xi Jinping must step down’,” he said. However, the Si Tung Qiao banner protest showed the opposite,” he said. “I believe that those who are silent now will one day speak with their own voice.”
The Associated Press reported that about 400 people attended the protest in front of the Chinese consulate in New York on the same day, and protests led by Chinese students were also held at the Chinese consulate in Chicago and Harvard University. Chinese solidarity rallies were also held in Seoul and Tokyo.