Hi DJ, <<I understand Falun Gong protesters (16 peaceful if anything)>> I am quite vigilant about these matters, and in the case of the 16 on trial, they were causing an obstruction during a demonstration in March.
My daily bus rides pass the New China News Agency building in Happy Valley, and there are usually about 4 to 6 Falun demonstrators holding up various signs opposite the street.
They have a tent set up off the sidewalk in a clearing for in case of rain. They have been there, possibly on rotation basis, for about a year. They do not obstruct the sidewalk or entry ways, and no one bothers them. One police woman or man stands opposite the street to make sure they remain peaceful and do not obstruct the sidewalk and entryways.
So, all quite kosher, or zen like, as it should be.
While the Falun folks are not cared for by the majority of the population because they are, to put simply, flakey, but they are harmless when they do not block folks way, and so are left alone in Hong Kong.
On Mainland China, they get their brains scrubbed.
Chugs, Jay |
