[Special Report] Aftermath of Violence at Legislator Cheng Li-wen's Los Angeles Speech; Victim Threatens Legal Action
bellala 央廣4h agoEdited
During a speech by KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen at the West Coast Chinese Association in Los Angeles, members of the anti-communist Chinese organization "Chinese Democratic Party International Alliance" publicly questioned her. During the questioning, the individuals were violently driven away, beaten, and choked by event staff. The victims later released videos and photos from the scene, criticizing the KMT's brutal methods. Cheng Li-wen, upon returning to Taiwan, responded that the protesters' actions disrupted the event, and security personnel had to take control. However, this explanation was strongly protested by the Chinese Democratic Party International Alliance, which emphasized that they have completed evidence collection and will pursue legal action for criminal and civil damages against the assailants.
KMT Legislator Cheng Li-wen's Los Angeles Speech Turns Violent
Although Cheng Li-wen's visit to the US has concluded, the violent incident that occurred during her special lecture "Journey for Peace and Prosperity between China, America, and Taiwan" at the West Coast Chinese Association in Los Angeles on the 14th continues to reverberate.
Because Cheng Li-wen claimed that "Taiwan's smooth democratization was because KMT members generally truly believed in democracy," Su Yifeng, a member of the Chinese Democratic Party International Alliance attending the event, questioned Cheng Li-wen during the Q&A session. After asking, "The KMT claims to be a democratic party, why doesn't it help China achieve democracy? Why does it collude with the Communist Party?" he was immediately escorted out by staff. Another member of the Chinese Democratic Party, Le Zailin, was beaten to the ground, choked, had his mouth covered, and his phone snatched, with demands to delete the video.
Chinese Democratic Party Accuses Cheng of Aiding Violence by Silence
What was even more unacceptable to the Chinese Democratic Party International Alliance was that Cheng Li-wen witnessed the violence but did not intervene, effectively condoning the violence, which they found unbelievable.
Jie Lijian, Chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party International Alliance, said: "What saddens and surprises us is that Cheng Li-wen, the chairperson of the KMT, saw all of this, but did not stop it, nor did she immediately try to persuade them to stop fighting. She just watched. While they were fighting, she numbly continued her speech, continuing to say her words. I think as a chairperson, this is a severe disregard for others' lives and safety, and it is aiding the perpetration of violence."
According to Jie Lijian, several victims suffered concussions, cerebral edema, rib sprains, and cervical spine dislocations, affecting their work and lives. They also believe that the attackers were not only KMT security personnel but also unidentified individuals with Zhejiang and even Fujian accents from mainland China, leading them to suspect CCP involvement.
Cheng Counter-Accuses Questioner of Excessive Actions, Citing Need for Control
However, regarding these accusations, Cheng Li-wen explained at a press conference upon her return to Taiwan that the individual did not ask questions in a rational manner. Instead, he engaged in protests and actions that disrupted the event, leading security personnel and organizers to escort him away.
Cheng Li-wen emphasized that she hoped there would be no extreme remarks or actions at the venue and that no one would be physically harmed. However, due to the protester's strong resistance and significant physical movements throughout the process, certain measures had to be taken.
Cheng Li-wen said: "He basically did not ask questions at the scene in a rational manner. He was protesting and taking actions that disrupted the event, so security personnel and the organizers escorted him away. Of course, I also hoped that everyone would refrain from any extreme remarks or actions, and I did not want anyone to be physically harmed. Throughout the entire process, because the protesting friend you mentioned was very resistant and made large physical movements, security had to take certain measures."
As for the identity of the attackers, there was no clear answer at the scene. However, it was reported that the event was organized by the West Coast Chinese Association, and Cheng Li-wen was invited. The KMT is unsure if the individuals were from the association or security, but confirmed they were not among the 14 members of the KMT delegation.
Chinese Democratic Party Threatens Legal Action
However, regarding Cheng Li-wen's statement, Jie Lijian issued a protest statement afterward, condemning Cheng Li-wen for lacking legal understanding and showing no respect for freedom and life. They have completed evidence collection and will pursue legal avenues to hold the assailants accountable.
He said: "We have further steps. We will use legal weapons to pursue the responsibility of the organizers of this event, including the KMT party headquarters, and the individuals who violently attacked us – these criminal thugs. We will pursue criminal responsibility and civil compensation. This is our work. Our lawyers have been hired, and the evidence, information related to the incident, and various aspects are being secured and are moving towards a legal process for us to seek redress."
As the victims collect evidence and hire lawyers to initiate legal proceedings, this violent incident is likely to continue to escalate, potentially damaging the image of the Kuomintang in overseas Chinese communities.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215263
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