On May 13 (Wednesday), the Chinese Democratic Party held a commemorative gathering in Times Square, New York, in remembrance of the victims of the devastating “5.12” Wenchuan earthquake on its 18th anniversary. They particularly mourned the students who lost their lives in collapsed school buildings, emphasizing that this was not just a natural disaster but a tragedy magnified by the human-made disasters caused by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Participants at the event chanted slogans such as “Who will answer beneath the ruins?” and “Who is responsible for the fallen children?”, highlighting the need for accountability and justice. They also observed a moment of silence to honor the victims.
Wang Juntao, Chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party, stated in a declaration that the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan on May 12, 2008, claimed many lives, with a particularly shocking number of school buildings collapsing and resulting in the deaths of numerous students. While neighboring government buildings remained intact, the classrooms that should have protected the children turned into rubble. The collapse on that day not only affected the school buildings but also shattered the futures of many families. Wenchuan was not solely a natural disaster; commemorating it is not just about sadness but holding the CCP accountable for the truth.
During the event, several members of the Chinese Democratic Party pointed fingers at the CCP regime as the root cause of the calamity. The host of the event, Li Yonghong, mentioned that the CCP prioritizes power over lives, leading to human disasters caused by shoddy construction and corruption.
Fang Yanyong expressed that the CCP government turned a disaster that could have been mitigated into a ruthless tool for maintaining stability and a political show.
Wu Jiaojiao questioned why the school buildings for students were so fragile and why there was no accountability for regulatory failures. These questions have never received transparent answers.
The gathering concluded with a collective moment of silence to mourn the victims. Participants expressed the hope that the outside world would not forget those “children who should have grown up,” urged continuing the pursuit of accountability from the CCP, and desired that “such tragedies never happen again.”