Staff from the Chinese Epoch Times newspaper in Vancouver have been working overtime in recent weeks to catch vandals and newspapers thieves who appear to be bent on damaging their business.
This week a man was caught on camera removing stacks of newspapers from a box and throwing them in a nearby trash bin. Last week, staff recorded a man on video taking entire bundles of newspapers.
Staff of the Chinese Epoch Times believe the paper is being targeted due to its independent and uncensored approach to news pertaining to China. Founded in 2000, the Chinese Epoch Times is an independent Chinese media that, unlike many others, does not shy away from topics sensitive to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Running their business has not been easy. Seen by the CCP and its supporters as a threat, it has been a challenge for the Chinese Epoch Times to win advertising revenue from Chinese clients who worry about raising the ire of the Party. Despite a lack of real repercussions, Chinese are generally very sensitive to a perceived need to toe the party line.
On March 11, Chinese Epoch Times distributor Ms. Sun witnessed a man removing piles of newspapers and throwing them in a garbage bin. Ms. Sun quickly took a picture and confronted the thief, saying, “Stop stealing newspapers,” as she approached.
The individual allegedly punched her camera, damaging it, before fleeing. Ms. Sun followed the man into a nearby store where she called 911 and was able to talk to a Chinese-speaking police officer. She said that once the man realized she was speaking to the police, he swiped at the phone, knocking it to the ground.
After Constable Brendan Ellis, who was dispatched by 911, appeared on the scene, the man fled out the back door but was caught and questioned by the officer.
The man argued that he was not doing anything wrong since the Chinese Epoch Times is a free newspaper and he was given a warning by Constable Ellis before being released. “The man involved was spoken to and understood that he could be charged with an offense if he commits a crime against The Epoch Times,” said Constable Lindsey Houghton, Vancouver police media relations officer, in an e-mail.
Cases of newspaper theft and vandalism of Chinese Epoch Times newspaper boxes have been reported in most major cities in North America, including Montreal, Toronto, and New York.
In a case in Los Angeles in February 2005, police arrested a man for removing more than 1,000 newspapers from boxes daily. Prior to his arrest, the man identified as Mr. Lum, attempted to run over a Chinese Epoch Times cameraman with his pickup truck. A dramatic 10-minute armed standoff with police ensued before the man was arrested.
In California it is unlawful for anyone to remove, take, or appropriate more than 25 copies of the current issue of a free or a complimentary newspaper if done with the intent to deprive others of the opportunity to read or enjoy the newspaper.
Ms. Liao says her office often receives tips from readers and members of the community regarding people who have been seen either vandalizing boxes, using the paper for purposes other than reading, and/or stealing papers.
“Most people believe that people have a right to read the newspaper,” she said.
This week a man was caught on camera removing stacks of newspapers from a box and throwing them in a nearby trash bin. Last week, staff recorded a man on video taking entire bundles of newspapers.
Staff of the Chinese Epoch Times believe the paper is being targeted due to its independent and uncensored approach to news pertaining to China. Founded in 2000, the Chinese Epoch Times is an independent Chinese media that, unlike many others, does not shy away from topics sensitive to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Running their business has not been easy. Seen by the CCP and its supporters as a threat, it has been a challenge for the Chinese Epoch Times to win advertising revenue from Chinese clients who worry about raising the ire of the Party. Despite a lack of real repercussions, Chinese are generally very sensitive to a perceived need to toe the party line.
On March 11, Chinese Epoch Times distributor Ms. Sun witnessed a man removing piles of newspapers and throwing them in a garbage bin. Ms. Sun quickly took a picture and confronted the thief, saying, “Stop stealing newspapers,” as she approached.
The individual allegedly punched her camera, damaging it, before fleeing. Ms. Sun followed the man into a nearby store where she called 911 and was able to talk to a Chinese-speaking police officer. She said that once the man realized she was speaking to the police, he swiped at the phone, knocking it to the ground.
After Constable Brendan Ellis, who was dispatched by 911, appeared on the scene, the man fled out the back door but was caught and questioned by the officer.
The man argued that he was not doing anything wrong since the Chinese Epoch Times is a free newspaper and he was given a warning by Constable Ellis before being released. “The man involved was spoken to and understood that he could be charged with an offense if he commits a crime against The Epoch Times,” said Constable Lindsey Houghton, Vancouver police media relations officer, in an e-mail.
Cases of newspaper theft and vandalism of Chinese Epoch Times newspaper boxes have been reported in most major cities in North America, including Montreal, Toronto, and New York.
In a case in Los Angeles in February 2005, police arrested a man for removing more than 1,000 newspapers from boxes daily. Prior to his arrest, the man identified as Mr. Lum, attempted to run over a Chinese Epoch Times cameraman with his pickup truck. A dramatic 10-minute armed standoff with police ensued before the man was arrested.
In California it is unlawful for anyone to remove, take, or appropriate more than 25 copies of the current issue of a free or a complimentary newspaper if done with the intent to deprive others of the opportunity to read or enjoy the newspaper.
Ms. Liao says her office often receives tips from readers and members of the community regarding people who have been seen either vandalizing boxes, using the paper for purposes other than reading, and/or stealing papers.
“Most people believe that people have a right to read the newspaper,” she said.
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