Action Alliance to Redress 1219 and Tai Ji Men protest against Taiwan’s violations of Tai Ji Men’s human rights in New York City landmarks
September 11, 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. On this historic day, over 30 volunteers from Action Alliance to Redress 1219 (ACT 1219) and representatives of Tai Ji Men members gathered in front of the United Nations building and other locations in New York to pray for the city, the U.S. and the world, praying that everyone’s conscience will be awakened, disasters will be prevented, and a world of love and peace will be realized.
Three of the volunteers witnessed the 911 attacks 20 years ago. Pamela Chen, a Tai Ji Men member from Los Angeles, arrived in New York on the morning of September 11. Shortly after landing in the Big Apple, she and other Tai Ji Men members gathered in front of the United Nations building to spread positive energy and blessings to New York, the U.S. and the world through their dancing and singing. They also visited Times Square, the Manhattan Neighborhood Network TV Station, Ground Zero, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York and other locations to spread the idea of conscience, love, and peace.
Pamela said that 20 years ago, she witnessed the two planes crashing into the Twin Towers. The city was instantly engulfed in terror and confusion, and everyone was desperate to flee. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the grand master of Tai Ji Men, and Tai Ji Men members did not leave New York. On September 12, 2001, at the invitation of the Manhattan MNN Television, he led Tai Ji Men to host a ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love to pray for the victims, New York, and the U.S. He prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in peace, as well as for the living to be comforted. Many roads were blocked at the time, and thus walking was the most convenient method to get about. Several UN ambassadors had to trek for hours to reach the MNN TV Station in order to ring the Bell and make wishes for peace, and their actions were concrete steps to protect love and peace!
Another Tai Ji Men member from San Jose Academy in Northern California Lung Ogle also witnessed the 911 attacks. Although she is over 80 years old, she still went to New York to send her best wishes to the victims, the city, and the U.S. on this significant day. She and other volunteers visited the MNN TV Station. In addition to sharing her vivid memory of the ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love 20 years ago right after the 911 attacks, she also expressed her gratitude to the TV station for broadcasting the program produced by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze titled “Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks with Love, Peace and Conscience.” The 90-minute program was aired on September 11 and 12 and will also be aired on September 15 on several channels of the TV station.
In addition to promoting the message of love, peace, and conscience, the volunteers also held signs protesting against the Taiwanese government’s disregard for the rule of law, violation of their human rights, and allowing a few rogue bureaucrats to persecute Tai Ji Men’s master and disciples for nearly 25 years. They chanted slogans in Times Square, such as, “The Taiwanese government has persecuted Tai Ji Men and violated their human rights. The Taiwanese government robbed the leader of Tai Ji Men of his property and failed to return his money. Taiwan’s democracy, Go! Go! Go! Rectify the false Tai Ji Men case. Return to Tai Ji Men its sacred land.” Many spectators took pictures of the protest and were surprised this unjust case happened in Taiwan.
Their demonstration also attracted police officers near them. The volunteers explained the purpose of their protest and shared that they have been fighting for justice while promoting love and peace over the past 20 plus years. The police officers were deeply touched by their efforts and asked whether the volunteers needed any assistance.
This group of volunteers stayed in New York for only 10 hours. During its revisit of New York 20 years later, the volunteers used real actions to support New Yorkers. They hope global citizens will care for one another, transcend differences and hatred, work together to overcome the current challenges the world faces, and usher in an era of conscience with love.
