On October 16, 2024, news from the Epoch Times: Peng Zaizhou (real name Peng Lifa), who hung a banner protesting on the Four-Link Bridge in Beijing, has been arrested and his whereabouts remain unknown. As the second anniversary of the “Four-Link Bridge Incident” approaches, several Chinese community groups in Los Angeles gathered in front of the Chinese consulate last Sunday (13th) to protest and submitted a letter demanding the immediate release of this warrior who sacrificed himself to resist tyranny.
The protest letter stated, “Mr. Peng Lifa was detained simply for hanging a banner expressing his demands in a public place, and there has been no information about him since then. As conscientious citizens, we cannot tolerate such violations of freedom of speech and basic human rights.” The groups expressed deep concern and outrage, protesting against the unjust treatment Peng Lifa has faced.
Participating organizations in the protest included the United Headquarters of the China Democratic Party, the Full Committee of the China Democratic Party, the China Social Democratic Party, and the Visual Artists Association. Following the gathering, hundreds of Chinese individuals marched and demonstrated on the streets in front of the consulate.
Liu Yinquan, Chairman of the China Social Democratic Party, praised Peng Lifa stating that he bravely stood up in the darkest moments, with the spirit of “willing to be cut down and daring to pull down the emperor.” “He is a true hero, representing the fearless spirit of the Chinese people in resisting tyranny and fighting for freedom and justice.”
After Peng Lifa hung the banner, he was immediately taken away by the police, and his family has also faced harassment and persecution. Liu Yinquan emphasized that hanging a banner is a form of freedom of speech and should not only be encouraged and protected but Peng Lifa’s disappearance to date reveals the evil nature of the Chinese Communist Party regarding human rights.
Democratic activist Sheng Xue in Canada voiced her support through video link on the day of the protest. She mentioned that after the events of “June 4th”, many Chinese people gave up the fight, some indulged in wealth accumulation, some hoped for self-reform within the CCP, only to realize that China had entered a new dark age. The emergence of Peng Lifa, however, shattered this darkness and gave many people a new sense of hope.
Sheng Xue thanked and encouraged every Chinese individual participating in the protest, stating, “We must speak up for those who cannot speak, share their stories, and make the world understand their situation. We must make the world hear their cries in the darkness. We have this responsibility, so let’s all work together.”
During the rally, the song “For Us, Peng Zaizhou” performed by American musician “Mr. Gray” was played. Mr. Gray stated during the video call that after studying in China, he became a social media influencer, but the (CCP virus) pandemic made him realize that he could not do wrong things for personal economic gain. Therefore, he left China and produced many anti-Chinese Communist Party songs.
“We may not all be heroes, but we can all act heroically,” he said. “I’m not an idealist, but I believe that once the Communist Party falls, anyone who dares to step up and help the Chinese people will be rewarded.”
“Your innocence and future generations are waiting; let’s break through their nightmares together,” Mr. Gray’s poignant message to Peng Zaizhou in his lyrical song, “They may take away your freedom, but they cannot take away your words. The world will spread your story.”
Apart from Los Angeles, support activities were also held in New York, San Francisco in the United States, New Zealand in Australia, the Netherlands, London in the UK, and other European cities, making the event on the 13th in Los Angeles one of the largest gatherings.
In recent years, many Chinese people have ‘smoothly’ gone abroad, but some still fear retaliation from the authorities and dare not expose the CCP publicly. Many new immigrants who participated in the support for Peng Lifa on that day expressed how deeply moved they were by his courage.
“He is a solitary hero, like a lightning bolt cutting through the darkness, like a thunderous sound echoing through the earth. His courage inspires countless people,” said Zhou Yunlong, a former teacher at a key school in Chongqing, during his speech. “The Communist Party thought by ‘disappearing’ Peng Lifa, everything would be fine, but they did not expect more fearless individuals to step forward.”
A month after the Four-Link Bridge incident, China witnessed the “Blank Paper Movement”. In several major cities, numerous young people took to the streets or boldly voiced their opposition on social media against the extreme zero-COVID measures, forcing the CCP to change policies due to popular demand.
Deputy Chairman of the United Headquarters of the China Democratic Party, Jie Lijian, stated that after Peng Lifa’s arrest, his two daughters were also controlled and detained, deprived of their freedom, and even volunteers visiting his hometown were detained, “this is another blood debt owed by the CCP.”
“What does the global solidarity in support of Peng Lifa signify?” he asked. The CCP fears warriors like Peng Lifa, afraid of the power and spirit he conveys.
“Peng Lifa inspires us to move forward, step by step, to end the tyranny of the CCP,” Jie Lijian said. “As the force accumulates around the world, it’s the moment the Communist Party fears most, it’s their moment of destruction.” ◇