Washington DC: 150 Chinese Americans and Supporters Rally for Chinese Freedom | Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

On Sunday, April 11, 2010, in Washington DC’s Freedom Plaza (named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’ s struggle for human freedom in America), an estimated 150 Chinese Americans and their supporters rallied to show their solidarity and support for those Chinese citizens who have left the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as a stand for freedom in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Activists held large banners in English and in Chinese languages with messages such as “Support 71 Million People Resigning from Chinese Communist Party,” “Nine Commentaries Motivated 71 Million Chines to Resign from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party,” “U.S. House Passes Resolution 605: Supports Falun Gong, Condemns Prosecution,” and “Help Stop the Persecution Against Falun Gong,” and other had smaller placards and signs with messages calling for freedom in the PRC.

April 11, 2010 - Washington DC - China Freedom Activists Banners Recognizing Chinese People Leaving Chinese Communist Party

The event coincided with the arrival of PRC leader Hu Jiantao to the United States of America for a nuclear security summit, beginning on April 12, 2010, which was also protested by China freedom activists, Falun Gong activists, and the Tibetan activists (see separate reports).

At the April 11, 2010 Freedom Plaza rally, China freedom supporters, Falun Gong practitioners, and other freedom activists joined in solidarity to applaud the efforts of the Taidung (“Quit the Party”) movement in leading the way for 71 million Chinese citizens who have voluntarily left the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) (see earlier report on the Taidung movement). China freedom activists sang songs on the Taidung movement, the oppression of the Falun Gong, and also provided traditional Chinese dance and drum routines at the Freedom Plaza rally.

Among those speaking at the Freedom Plaza rally was a former official of the CCP, who renounced the CCP upon coming to the United States of America. In addition to China freedom activists and Falun Gong supporters, freedom activists in Asia from Vietnam, Laos, Tibet, and Japan also spoke at the Freedom Plaza rally for freedom in China and supporting those who left the CCP. Multiple speakers remarked on the March 16, 2010 passing of House Resolution 605, which acknowledges the oppression and suffering of the Falun Gong in Communist China and advises the U.S. President to meet with Falun Gong leaders.

Freedom Plaza Rally Speakers for China Freedom (Photo: AFP)

China freedom activist and leader of the China Support Network John Kusumi called upon U.S. President Barack Obama to make freedom in the PRC a priority as part of American foreign policy objectives on issues such trade, currency, and security. John Kusumi also urges the world community to take a stand on the Communist Laogai forced labor camps. John Kusumi also manages the China Support Network blog on China human rights and freedom issues.

Freedom Activist and Musician Sings "Taidung" Song at Rally

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)‘s Jeffrey Imm recognized that the Freedom Plaza rally was taking place on Holocaust Remembrance Day, and that while much of the world was saying “never again” to the history of the Holocaust, “never again is now” in the PRC for those suffering in Communist Laogai forced labor camps, for men, women and children in China that seek to live in freedom, and for the Chinese people whose culture has been systematically been undermined and destroyed by the Chinese Communist Party. Jeffrey Imm noted that near the Freedom Plaza where the event was being held, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worked on his historic speech “I Have a Dream.” Jeffrey Imm stated that “I have a dream that all of the Chinese people will someday be free… but we all have a responsibility to make that dream a reality.” Jeffrey Imm noted that those struggling for freedom in the PRC must use their passion to educate the world on the abuses against the Chinese people, with a single message to the world “Free China Now,” which Imm and the other participants chanted together “Free China Now!”

The event was covered by Asian media sources as well as the AFP News. An earlier AFP News report included photographs of the April 11, 2010 Freedom Plaza rally in their subsequent report on the Tibetan and Falun Gong protesters outside of the DC Convention Center where Hu Jinato was meeting with other world leaders. The updated AFP News report only showed photos of the April 12 protest.

Washington DC: Chinese Rally on April 11 to Support 71 Million Leaving Chinese Communist Party

Additional Photographs of April 11, 2010 Event:

Tibet Freedom Activist Speaks on Behalf of Freedom in PRC

Vietnam Freedom Activist Speaks on Need for Freedom in PRC

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April 11, 2009 – Tuidang Rally, “Freedom Plaza,” Washington DC, USA – Jeffrey Imm

MP3 Audio Version Link

Good afternoon. My name is Jeffrey Imm, and our group’s name is Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.).

I appreciate all of you here today fighting for freedom.

We share your fight for freedom around the world.

Today is “Holocaust Remembrance Day.” Around the world, people say “Never Again.”

But “Never Again” is not just history. In the People’s Republic of China (PRC), “Never Again” is now.

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, people talk about concentration camps.

But that’s not just history, in the PRC that’s now.

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, people talk about cultures being destroyed.

But in the PRC, “Never Again” is now.

So when we stand in solidarity with those that remember the Holocaust today, we say to them that in the PRC, “Never Again” is now.

Compassion is passion. We share your passion for freedom.

This is “Freedom Plaza.” It was named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Near here, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worked on a speech called “I Have a Dream.”

I have a dream – that the people in China will be free.

I have a dream – that the Tuidang – will be remembered as heroes.

I have a dream – that the 71 million who have left the Chinese Communist Party – are just the start of waves of freedom – that will Free China Now!

Share with me: Free China Now, Free China Now, Free China Now! (crowd chants in unison).

We have a dream, but we also have a responsibility.

President Obama, you have a responsibility, under House Resolution 605, to meet with the people fighting for freedom and the Falun Gong.

President Obama, you have a responsibility, to have a foreign policy where human rights are our first priority, not our last.

(Holding up poster of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

These represent the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They were signed by the Republic of China on December 10, 1948.

Less than a year later, the People’s Republic of China broke these (speaker tosses sign of Declaration of Human Rights to the ground, indicating the PRC’s rejection of them).

We must pick this Declaration of Universal Human Rights up. We fight for these human rights.

We fight for universal human rights for China.

With its original signature of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, China has signed a promissory note, a promise guaranteeing human rights.

We tell the PRC government today – Free China Now!

Chant with me: Free China Now, Free China Now, Free China Now! (crowd chants in unison).

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Resources:

Tuidang Web Site – Chinese Language

Tuidang Facebook Page – English Language

Quit CCP Web Site – English Language

Nine Commentaries on CCP – English Language

January 5, 2010 – NDTV: Former Chinese Official Renounces Communist Party Membership