Account of the Splendid China theme park protest demonstration held on 02 June 1996.

We gathered on this day to demonstrate our solidarity with the vast majority of Chinese peoples that desire freedom and democracy for themselves and their children. We, as proud citizens of a democratic nation, hope and desire for the same democratic rights and privileges for all mankind and hope that through dialog and negotiation such a future is possible.
We also support the June Boycott on Chinese Goods. The purpose of this short term boycott is not punitive, but allows interested persons to send a message to Beijing about the human rights situation in Tibet and throughout China.
We selected this site because it is owned and operated by agents of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party and since the park is being used as a mouthpiece for propaganda purposes to legitimize the cultural genocide of Tibetan, Uighur, Mongolian, and other 'minority' peoples under the domination of People Liberation Army (PLA) troops.
The assembly of demonstrators from across the state of Florida and some from as far away as Maryland gathered at 9 AM in the Formosa Gardens Shopping Center and immediately noticed the close scrutiny of Osceola County Sheriff Deputies as they patrolled Formosa Gardens Blvd. and the parking lot where we gathered.
The banners and signs which read 'FREE TIBET', 'DEMOCRACY NOW', 'LONG LIFE DALAI LAMA" and other similar sayings were prepared for the short march to the main gate of Florida Splendid China. Tibetan National flags were also unfurled and prepared.
It was a joyous march to the main gate where seven patrol cars and a paddy-wagon awaited us across from the main gate. We were given to understand that Florida Splendid China was paying the dozen or so off-duty officers Sunday double overtime pay (not to mention the towing fee for the patrol car that got stuck in the sand.) Despite a firm no-nonsense approach (Bill 'Last Warning' Mitchell received 'one-and-only-one-warning' for crossing the street too slowly and handing out literature), we felt the officers conducted themselves quite professionally. In fact, our relationship grew to be cordial in the three hours we were there. Only two of the officers didn't wave when they left the site. We are certainly glad that the same rules didn't apply on Tibetan Uprising Day (March 10), when we had several signs mounted in the median and people walking all over.
The EMT cart, a normal fixture during demonstrations, was also tasked with taking pictures with a video camera this time. In the past, this recording function had been handled by individuals that either anonymously passed by with video cameras operating, hung out the windows of passing vehicles to get good shots, stopped at a distance and used telephoto lenses, or just walked up to us to ask to take a picture. We applaud the park's decision to take our pictures openly, since no demonstrator in any protest at Florida Splendid China has been masked or attempted to hide their identity. The members of Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda have no fear to be photographed while participating in a peaceful, legal protest demonstration. We find no negative stigma attached to standing up for the human rights of our Tibetan, Uighur, Mongolian, Taiwanese, or Chinese brothers and sisters.
We maintained a constant vigil at the main gate well after the park opened, noticing that only a few cars were going in and many of these were the local Chinese performers. They have taken the place of the PRC nationals that were to serve as the 'cultural exchange' element of Florida Splendid China. It is certainly sad that the PRC is unwilling or unable to allow their citizens to work in the US and provide a model of the new Chinese citizen without having to worry about his/her security.
The protesters then marched around to the rear of Florida Splendid China and had pictures taken with the Potala Palace replica. Due to the addition of some trees, this photo opportunity might not remain in the future. In the past it has been quite easy to photograph the Tibetan National flag against a backdrop of the Potala Palace, but the summer rains might assist the trees in covering up the replica from the street. Another observation was that we didn't see any visitors to the park, either around the Potala Palace replica or while we walked along the sidewalk on the way back. It was as though the park was deserted.
We returned to the main entrance where we remained vigilant until 12 noon and after the deputies left. We noticed most of the cars that had gone into the park had left before noon, much less that the recommended time of four to six hours to 'take in China'. We can only assume that the young children in the cars had a major stake in the decision or that some of the literature we handed out was read.
We are proud to have demonstrated our support for Democracy in China and self-determination for all peoples, especially those under Chinese Communist Party rule, such as Tibet, Eastern Turkestan, and Inner Mongolia.
We are also proud to have started off the June Boycott on Chinese Goods in Central Florida with a demonstration in front of one of the targets of that boycott and trust that our success will continue to be multiplied by the other many organizations supporting this action.