The Epoch Times has become a global beacon of free speech. And unfortunately, also a target for many hate crimes.
The recent brazen assault of a reporter from the Hong Kong Epoch Times occurred the morning of May 11th.
Unsurprisingly, it seems to have been organized by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Sarah Liang was hit with a softball bat outside her apartment building in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and suffered bruises to both legs.
When asked why the culprit attacked only her legs, The Epoch Times reported Liang stated:
I believe the attack was a warning rather than an attempt to take my life.
The Epoch Times broke the news on Twitter this morning, calling for International Condemnation of Attack on its reporter in Hong Kong:
Attack on #PressFreedom: A reporter for @EpochTimesHK was beaten by an unidentified man wielding a softball bat on May 11 in #HongKong, in an attack believed to be orchestrated by the #CCP in its latest attempt to silence the publication’s reporting. https://t.co/5H4feLtGon
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) May 11, 2021
The Epoch Times is banned in mainland China due to its critical government coverage.
And this isn’t the first time they have been targeted.
Four men came into the newspaper’s printing plant on April 12 in Tsuen Wan and created havoc, pouring concrete rubble over a printing machine and smashing computer screens with hammers.
Condemnation for this brutal attack on press freedom has started appearing on Twitter:
CCP has been attacking truth for a long time They attack reporters, destroy property and anyone who opposes them on social media courtesy of big tech
Epoch Times Calls for International Condemnation of Attack on its Reporter in Hong Kong https://t.co/A56e7AYzil
— Suze Michelini (@emilia_suze) May 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/IwasGodsbratty1/status/1392155974677327875
Marxists are destroying free speech all over the world.
The Dems are in the process of becoming the CCP in the USA.
Epoch Times Reporter Attacked by Man With Softball Bat in Hong Kong https://t.co/VsmyLheRfl
Download our app to read more for free at https://t.co/zPyit7EIwl pic.twitter.com/ZGqE13lp36
— Hiding In Lying Jacks Beard (@4JOC1) May 11, 2021
The erosion of free speech has just taken a sharper turn due to the attack in Hong Kong.
It is imperative everyone rallies to defend press freedom in whatever way they can.
Otherwise, will we ever find out what Liang was investigating and reporting?
Furthermore, what does the CCP have to hide?
South China Morning Post has more on the story:
A Hong Kong journalist with a newspaper linked to the Falun Gong spiritual group banned by the Chinese government was beaten with a baseball bat in a brazen attack in Kowloon on Tuesday, sparking a citywide police manhunt for two perpetrators.
The assault on The Epoch Times reporter came almost a month after its Tsuen Wan printing plant was damaged by a gang of men. According to the Hong Kong Journalists Association, the victim is also the chairwoman of a local Falun Gong organisation.
The 49-year-old victim said one of the culprits jumped out of a black Mercedes-Benz and hit her repeatedly with the bat just after she had left her residential block near the campus of Open University on Good Shepherd Street in Ho Man Tin shortly after 11.30am. The man attacked her without warning, she said.
“I was beaten on the legs about 10 times. He only targeted my legs in the attack,” she said.
The culprit fled in the same car after the assault, which lasted about one minute, she added.
Police arrived after she made a report and although officers scouted the area, no arrests were made.
The victim was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei for treatment.
A force spokesman said two men were wanted in connection with the attack and detectives from the Kowloon City criminal investigation unit were handling the case.
The Hong Kong Epoch Times Director June Guo said that the CCP is making use of the underworld to attack the Epoch Times.
Biden should come out and condemn this hate crime against free speech in Hong Kong.
Unless, of course, he only condemns hate crimes that align with his identity politics.
Staying silent sends the message we don’t care about the attack on press freedom. And will welcome more of that behavior to occur on our doorsteps.
https://twitter.com/Mene_Mene_Tekel/status/1392127740191465473
The Epoch Times has more about the CCP’s intimidation tactics:
The actions against The Epoch Times are part of a campaign of intimidation, violent attacks, illegal arrests, and stigmatization by CCP officials and in CCP-controlled media directed against the free press in Hong Kong.
The CCP seeks to intimidate journalists and citizens, making honest reporting more difficult to do in Hong Kong, and to force the free press to abandon working there.
For twenty years Liang’s program “Cherished Words, True Words” has attracted a loyal audience that respects her truthful reporting.
The attack on her in broad daylight just outside her home is a vivid example of how the free and peaceful environment of Hong Kong has deteriorated and how any individual’s personal freedom is now at risk.
The attack also highlights, though, how much the CCP fears a free press and fears The Epoch Times truthful reporting.
The Epoch Times solemnly declares that it will not back down and will continue to report truthfully and to serve the best interests of Hong Kong.
The Epoch Times calls on press freedom and human rights organizations, free governments, and free people everywhere to rally to defend press freedom in Hong Kong.
Join us in condemning these hate crimes against free speech in Hong Kong.
We wholeheartedly support press freedom in Hong Kong, the USA, and worldwide.
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