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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MARCH 25 - MARCH 31, 2022
BY BILL PARRY
A 73-year-old Chinese
scholar who lives in Flushing
is among five individuals who
were charged in Brooklyn federal
court with various crimes
including stalking, harassing
and spying on Chinese nationals
in Queens and elsewhere in the
United States.
Prosecutors alleged that Shujun
Wang, who helped create a
pro-democracy organization in
Queens, was arrested in Flushing
on March 16. Wang, a dissident
and human rights leader, is
charged with covertly operating
against Chinese activists at the
direction of the secret police of the
People’s Republic of China known
as the Ministry of State Security
(MSS), according to prosecutors.
At the direction of the MSS,
Wang used his position and status
within the Chinese diaspora
community in Queens to collect
information about prominent activists
to report that information
to the Chinese government. While
ostensibly lending a sympathetic
ear, Wang reported on statements
made in confidence to him, including
their views on democracy
in the People’s Republic of China,
as well as planned speech, writings
and demonstrations against
the Chinese Communist Party.
Prosecutors added that the
victims of Wang’s efforts included
Hong Kong pro-democracy activists,
advocates for Taiwanese
independence and Uyghur and Tibetan
activists in Queens, the U.S.
and abroad.
Five individuals were charged
by federal prosecutors, but two of
them are still on the run.
“The complaints unsealed
today reveal the outrageous and
dangerous lengths to which the
PRC government’s secret police
and these defendants have gone to
attack the rule of law and freedom
in New York City and elsewhere
in the United States,” U.S. Attorney
Breon Peace said. “As alleged,
all three cases involve campaigns
to silence, harass, discredit and
spy on U.S. residents for simply exercising
their freedom of speech.
The United States will not tolerate
blatantly illegal actions that target
U.S. residents, on U.S. soil, and
undermine our treasured American
values and rights.”
In a series of communications
on Nov. 22, 2016, Wang’s MSS handler
instructed him to meet with
a particular attendee at a prodemocracy
event in Queens and
to “accomplish the task” assigned
by the “Boss.” The MSS handler
emphasized that the attendee had
contacts with ‘Tibetans, Uyghurs
and Mongolians.”
Similarly, on Nov. 6, 2016,
Wang informed another MSS
handler that he “just finished
chatting” with a prominent human
rights activist and had asked
the “necessary questions” and
received “candid” answers. The
MSS officer responded great” and
with a thumbs-up emoji. Instructing
Wang to record that information
in his email diary.
If convicted, Wang faces a maximum
punishment of 20 years in
prison.
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Roberta Morris of Bay Terrace,
who has dedicated her life
to advocating for people impacted
by Alzheimer’s disease and other
forms of dementia, is this year’s
recipient of the Frank Carlino
Award.
“We are delighted to present
this year’s Carlino Award
to Roberta Morris. She jumped
into advocacy with both feet and
has demonstrated her flexibility
and positive spirit as advocacy
became virtual during the pandemic,”
said Christopher Smith,
executive director of the Alzheimer’s
Association, New York
City Chapter. “No matter the
challenge, Roberta rises to it on
behalf of every New York family
affected by Alzheimer’s or other
dementia.”
In the early 2000s, Frank Carlino
of Cornwall became the face
of Alzheimer’s at a time when
people with the disease did not
speak out about it. He was diagnosed
with early-stage Alzheimer’s
in his late 50s and shared
his experience living with the
disease in a variety of public settings
— including testimony before
Congress in 2000. His work
led to the establishment of the
Alzheimer’s Association’s Early
Stage Task Force. He lived with
Alzheimer’s for many years before
his death from lung cancer
at age 67.
The Frank Carlino Award celebrates
his visionary spirit and
is given each year to recognize
an advocate in New York state
who exemplifies the qualities of
dedicated perseverance and creativity
that help people with Alzheimer’s
and their families.
Morris became aware of Alzheimer’s
and dementia at a very
early age. When she was 8 years
old, she joined her mother as a
caregiver for her grandmother,
who had dementia. These early
experiences led her to become
an advocate for people impacted
by Alzheimer’s and to dedicate
her career to fostering health
and well-being. She is a certified
health coach with her own practice
that focuses on wellness for
women in midlife.
Morris remembers how difficult
caregiving was for her family,
particularly her mother.
“Women are most affected
by Alzheimer’s and other kinds
of dementia. We are more likely
to be diagnosed with these diseases
and to be unpaid family
caregivers,” Morris said. “I saw
firsthand the toll the disease
took on my grandmother and
my mother. They inspire me today
in my advocacy work and in
my wellness practice. My hope
is for everyone to age well and
to lead vibrant, positive, energetic
lives. I am honored to receive
the Frank Carlino Award
and to continue his legacy of
service.”
Morris began her advocacy
with the Alzheimer’s Association
in 2019 when she took on the role
of ambassador for Congresswoman
Grace Meng. Alzheimer’s Ambassadors
are grassroots volunteers
for the Alzheimer’s Impact
Movement — the advocacy arm of
the Alzheimer’s Association.
In her role, Morris developed a
productive working relationship
with Meng and her staff, providing
timely information on ways
to increase research funding and
improve care and support for constituents
affected by Alzheimer’s.
After moving from Bayside
to Bay Terrace, Morris was surprised
I saw firsthand
the toll the
disease
took on my
grandmother
and my mother.
They inspire
me today in
my advocacy
work and in
my wellness
practice. My
hope is for
everyone to
age well and to
lead vibrant,
positive,
energetic lives.
Roberta Morris
to learn that she now lived
in the district of Congressman
Tom Suozzi. She didn’t hesitate to
volunteer as the new ambassador
for Suozzi and to transition to a
replacement for her former district.
Morris also joined the advocate
team for Senator Charles
Schumer.
In New York state, there are
more than 410,000 people living
with Alzheimer’s disease and
586,000 caregivers who provide
7.74 million hours of unpaid care
to their loved ones with dementia
valued at nearly $15 million. Nationally,
more than 6 million people
are living with Alzheimer’s
and nearly two-thirds of them are
women.
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by e-mail at
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com or
by phone at (718) 260–4526.
Roberta Morris of Bay Terrace
was recognized by the Alzheimer’s
Association Chapter of New York
for helping people with Alzheimer’s
and other forms of dementia.
Photo courtesy of Roberta Morris
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace announces charges against five
individuals for spying on Chinese nationals in Queens including a
73-year-old Flushing scholar. Photo courtesy of EDNY
Flushing scholar accused
of spying on Chinese
nationals in Queens
Bay Terrace resident honored
for Alzheimer’s advocacy work
BAYSIDE TIMES (USPS#025088) is published weekly by Queens CNG LLC, 45-17 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck, N.Y. 11362, (718) 229-0300. The entire contents of this publication are copyright 2022. All rights reserved. The newspaper will not be liable
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