State Department Voices Concern Over Attack on Protesters Outside Los Angeles Chinese Consulate

Wu Xian, a Chinese security guard, aims pepper spray at pro-democracy activists outside the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2026. Screenshot via The Epoch TimesThe State Department is “closely following” a recent incident involving a Chinese Consulate guard attacking peaceful protesters with pepper spray outside the diplomatic mission in Los Angeles, a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.“The right to peaceably assemble is guaranteed by the First Amendment of our Constitution. The repression of the exercise of this fundamental freedom will not be tolerated in the United States of America,” the spokesperson said in a statement.