Blind Chinese Dissident Chen Guangcheng Arrives in New York City

Under the circumstances that surround blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng and the availability of this "media opportunity" the moment was shrouded in its rarity for the media and absolute joy for the dissident and his family as he stepped with one bad foot into the United States.

After tracking Chen Guangcheng's movements for the last month, the visual media had finally gained an opportunity to document the man that captivated much of the media's attention since his escape from home confinement. Now instead of editors having to work with the few handout images from the United States Embassy in Beijing and glimpses of him being wheeled through a hospital, the media had finally gained almost open access to record his arrival on the campus of New York University in Manhattan on Saturday. Now he begins his new life in Greenwich Village.


Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng gestures with his wife, Yuan Weijing, beside him before making remarks to the media upon arriving on the campus of New York University on May 19, 2012 in New York, New York. China allowed the activist to leave a hospital in Beijing and board a plane for the US, a move that could signal the end of a diplomatic standoff between the two countries. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng steps out of a van with his wife, Yuan Weijing, beside him before making remarks to the media. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


Through a translator, blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng makes remarks to the media, while standing beside NYU professor Jemore Cohen. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


The injured foot of Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng stands next to a group of recorders while Chen makes remarks to the media. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


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While being taken away Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng yells back at a women screaming at him after Chen made remarks to the media upon arriving on the campus of New York University. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


Media and escorts of Chen Guangcheng surrounds him while being taken away as he yells back at a women screaming at him after making remarks to the media upon arriving on the campus of New York University. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


A father and daughter walk through the area of New York University where Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng made remarks to the media upon arriving in the United States. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)