On April 29th, the 58th anniversary of the assassination of Chinese dissident writer and thinker Lin Zhao was commemorated by the China Democratic Party in Times Square, New York. They paid tribute to Lin Zhao and called for refusal to forget or remain silent, safeguarding truth, and pushing China towards a future without fear, lies, or persecution.
Over 20 members of the China Democratic Party braved the drizzling rain, holding banners and chanting slogans such as “Conscience is not guilty, faith is not guilty!” and “Conscience never dies, freedom is eternal!”
Chairman of the China Democratic Party, Wang Juntao, stated that Lin Zhao was the epitome of the “clearest and most steadfast conscience” during the era of authoritarian rule. Despite being under high-pressure governance, she “used her pen as a sword, blood as ink,” defending human dignity and freedom of thought. It was her pure beliefs and noble character that made the tyranny afraid and ultimately subjected her to cruel persecution.
The statement further pointed out that the tyranny not only took Lin Zhao’s life but also attempted to erase her name and history, block her deeds, and suppress her spirit. “To this day, in her beloved homeland, she has not received the recognition and respect she deserves. The suppression of truth and burial of conscience are signs of the tyranny’s continuation.”
Emphasizing that a regime that persecutes faith and censors truth to maintain its rule has lost its legitimacy and moral basis, the statement declared that history will not forget Lin Zhao, and justice will eventually judge the tyranny. Paying tribute to Lin Zhao signifies the declaration that the Chinese people’s pursuit of freedom and dignity will not be stifled, truth will not be silenced by violence, and conscience will not perish due to fear.
Several participants spoke at the event to express their respect for Lin Zhao and expose the human rights situation in China.
Member Hao Fangfang pointed out that Lin Zhao’s experience presents a profound question to all those who long for freedom: When a society does not allow dissent and even suppresses truth at the cost of lives, are people still willing to uphold their beliefs? She stated that as long as lies and tyranny persist, awakening more people blinded by deception remains an unfinished mission.
Member Wu Pingqi mentioned that in China, every year, people still risk visiting Lin Zhao’s grave on Lingyan Mountain in Suzhou, despite facing obstacles and suppression. “We are in a free society, and we should expose persecution to the world and urge the international community to pay attention to the human rights situation in China.”
Additionally, members Fang Yanyong and Liu Ya expressed that Lin Zhao’s courage continues to inspire hearts, enabling them to speak the truth without fear – truth is innocent, truth is guiltless.
Attendees stated that commemorating Lin Zhao is not just a reflection on history but also a commitment to the future – safeguarding truth and refusing to forget.
According to historical records, Lin Zhao, originally named Peng Lingzhao, was born in Suzhou in 1932. In 1954, she scored the highest in Jiangsu Province and was admitted to the Chinese Department of Journalism at Peking University. In 1957, Lin Zhao was labeled a rightist for speaking out for a classmate who had been wrongly accused. In 1960, she was arrested in Suzhou on charges of counter-revolution, and her father committed suicide shortly after. On April 29, 1968, Lin Zhao received a death sentence following a change from a 20-year prison term, and she immediately pierced her veins, writing “History will declare me innocent” with her own blood. On that day, she was secretly executed at the age of 35. Authorities went to Lin Zhao’s home demanding payment for the five bullets used to kill her. After Lin Zhao’s tragic death, her mother Xu Xianmin continued to be persecuted during the Cultural Revolution, leading to mental deterioration and her suicide in Shanghai in 1975. Some accounts suggest she was left injured on the streets. The back of Lin Zhao’s tombstone bears the inscription “Freedom is priceless, life is finite; rather be shattered as jade, than endure for China.”
(continued in next message)