August 9th, the New York division of the “Chinese Democracy and Human Rights Alliance” held a protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Manhattan, in support of young activist Fang Yirong from Hunan, China. They also called for the release of all political prisoners and denounced the Chinese Communist Party’s latest round of internet censorship.
Protesters displayed banners featuring Fang Yirong’s image and his famous slogans alongside messages demanding the release of all political prisoners, disclosure of overseas assets of Chinese officials, and opposition to CCP infiltration. They chanted slogans such as “Down with the Communist Party,” “Communists get out of the United States,” “To love the country is to oppose the Party, opposing the Party is true patriotism,” and “Demand the U.S. disclose assets of Chinese officials and their families.”
“Fang Yirong is a young post-2000 generation warrior. He knew he could be disappeared, killed, or labeled as mentally ill, so he first recorded a video and then bravely spoke out – this spirit is worthy of our admiration and learning,” said Chen Weijie, chairman of the “Chinese Democracy and Human Rights Alliance” in New York. “We hope to see more figures like Peng Zaizhou and Fang Yirong come forward, as the CCP becomes more unpopular and evil.”
Fang Yirong, a 22-year-old college student from Loudi City, Hunan Province, recently hung a banner on a bridge in Xinhua County, Loudi City, with speakers playing slogans calling for freedom, democracy, and elections, and denouncing the regime of Xi Jinping.
His action is seen as mirroring the bold move of Beijing activist Peng Lifa (Peng Zaizhou) in October 2022, when he hung banners on the Sihuitong Bridge in Beijing with slogans advocating for basic rights and freedoms.
Fang Yirong has since been arrested, prompting widespread support from overseas Chinese communities. The protest in front of the New York consulate is the latest show of solidarity for Fang Yirong by overseas Chinese.
Chen Weijie expressed that the CCP fears the truth being known by the people, hence the implementation of measures like real-name registration for internet use.
“This is a cage,” Chen Weijie stated. “The CCP fears people going online, so they have erected a firewall, blocking our vision, covering our ears and eyes. Many of us have been brainwashed by the CCP for decades.”
While expressing support for Fang Yirong, Chen Weijie also urged the U.S. to help the Chinese people dismantle the CCP’s internet blockade. “When the Chinese people understand what the CCP truly is, how they transfer huge assets overseas, and the nationalities of CCP officials’ families, there will be countless Fang Yirongs stepping forward, naturally leading to the collapse of the CCP.”
Wang Mingyi, a young man from Suizhou, Hubei, who arrived in the U.S. last year seeking freedom, also participated in the protest. He shared his joy at being able to freely express himself in the U.S., saying he wakes up with a smile, even in his dreams.
Having been indoctrinated by the CCP from childhood, Wang Mingyi recognized the regime’s deception during the pandemic lockdowns, witnessing inhumane acts by the CCP, which led him to perceive the party as a deceitful regime. This realization prompted his decision to come to the U.S.
“I feel very good now,” said Wang Mingyi. The access to healthcare and support for those in need in the U.S. made him feel like a respected individual for the first time. The freedom in the U.S. has been like “sweet air” to him, and he feels extremely happy and content, even joking that he can laugh in his dreams.
“I greatly admire Fang Yirong; they have true courage. In the past, I didn’t understand the truth in my country, so I didn’t take such actions. But now, if given the chance, I would. I have fully awakened, and my wish now is to end the rule of the CCP, overthrow the Party, and liberate all of China. When China is free, I am willing to return,” Wang Mingyi declared.