Hundreds marched from Manhattan to Brooklyn Sunday in support of a city councilwoman charged with biting an NYPD deputy chief — with the organizers linked to the Chinese Communist Party.
The massive march from Foley Square to Cadman Plaza Park backs Councilwoman Susan Zhuang (D-43), who was busted after allegedly biting the cop during a frenzied clash at a protest outside the construction site of a homeless shelter in her district.
“We urge the government to respect our community,” one protester told the crowd before the march kicked off. “We demand clear and effective communication, such as when adding a homeless shelter in our community.
“Our community is resilient,” the speaker said. “Support candidates who will stand for our community.”
Nearly 1,000 demonstrators chanted, “justice for all,” “no more disrespect for the Asian community” and “the government should listen to the wishes of the people” as it kicked off in Foley Square.
Several in the crowd held up signs reading, “save our community” and “equal justice of Susan Zhuang.”
A flyer for the event listed as a contact the number of John Chan — who heads BRACE — a non-profit group with ties to the United Front. The United Front is a group of organizations affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, whose mandate is to spread communism worldwide.
Chan — also known as Chen Shanzhuang — is a Chinese-born businessman who also runs the American Chinese Commerce Association.
The Post attempted to contact BRACE and Chan, who did not respond to request for comment.
Zhuang — who was booked on several charges including assault and resisting arrest earlier this month — has distanced herself from the organizers of the rally, saying while she “appreciates the Asian community’s support” she had “not been part of planning this event.”
“I am not part of BRACE or its leadership. This Democratic movement to stand up for the rights of the Asian community is the opposite of the CCP,” she told The Post.
In November, Chan led the charge to deafen the cries of protesters who claimed their relatives had been wronged by the Chinese government, the San Francisco Standard reported at the time.
Tensions had flared between dueling protest groups as they awaited Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in San Francisco ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
A month later the Chinese-born businessman sponsored a small group of New York Republicans, including Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R-Pulaski), to visit China.
According to the Diplomat, Chan sent open letters to members of Congress supporting Beijing’s crackdown on Falun Gong and hosting of the 2008 Olympics.
And to mark 50 years of Chinese communism organized to have the party’s banner flown in Trenton, New Jersey in 1999 and then again a year later in Flushing, Queens.
While Zhuang has tried to keep Chan at arm’s length — just days before her arrest it was revealed that the councilwoman’s office had tried to solicit donations for BRACE in February.
The incident was first reported by the Daily News, which cited detailed emails sent from official city email accounts.
The emails since obtained by The Post invited supporters and constituents to a February Lantern Festival Parade in Sunset Park — which was attended by several elected officials including Mayor Eric Adams.
“Additionally, we would like to extend an invitation for you to join as a sponsor for the event,” the email continued.
Zhuang’s office was also contacted for comment about the emails but did not immediately respond.
She defended her actions during the earlier arrest, saying she was coming to the aid of one protester.
“Susan Zhuang was a victim that day, she was trying to protect a senior citizen, she was trying to protect you all,” a speaker told demonstrators at the Brooklyn end of Sunday’s march.
“All of us are here to protect Susan Zhuang,” they said. “We are all protecting the American dream.”
