However, demonstrators point out that their protest of Jiang's visit does not indicate a protest against China or Chinese culture.

"There's a difference between being a friend of the Chinese people and a friend of Jiang Zemin," Pan says. "He is not a true representative of the Chinese people."

Tang expresses concern that the protest will hinder relations between the two countries.

"By protesting, you're not going educate Jiang, you're just going to build thicker and higher walls between us," she says.

But Shen is hopeful that the visit will spur renewed international interest in China.

"I think this will raise curiosity of what's really going on in China and the government's lack of legitimacy," he says.

"It will show that this is not simply a feel good cause for the American people, that Americans have a long term interest in a free and democratic China," he says.