As Christmas approaches, the organization “Humanity China,” which provides humanitarian aid to those persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party, recently held its annual meeting in Los Angeles. They wrote and sent greeting cards to political prisoners and prisoners of conscience illegally detained in China and Hong Kong, thanking them for their efforts and sacrifices for human rights and dignity. Families in China who received support expressed heartfelt gratitude for the justice and assistance provided by overseas Chinese supporters in their time of need.
On November 30th (Saturday), hundreds of Chinese residents in Los Angeles attended the annual meeting of “Humanity China.” The venue was adorned with photos of justice advocates who have been persecuted by the CCP in recent years. Some are still in prison, some have been “disappeared,” and others, even after being released, suffer from severe health issues due to torture. Some of these individuals received assistance from “Humanity China” during their most challenging times.
One dissident in Hunan, who was recently released from prison, is in extremely poor health and requires dialysis to sustain his life. His family is in dire straits, with his wife unemployed and two children to support. Grateful for the $10,000 humanitarian assistance provided by “Humanity China,” the dissident entrusted a friend in Los Angeles to convey his appreciation.
According to the head of the organization, Zhou Fengsuo, since its establishment in 2007, “Humanity China” has provided assistance to thousands of individuals, totaling millions of dollars in aid, with over 150 people supported just this year. In order to maximize efforts to help prisoners of conscience, the organization does not allocate funds for administrative expenses, and all staff members are volunteers.
Although the assistance provided by “Humanity China” covers almost all known prisoners of conscience, Zhou Fengsuo admitted that those supported by the organization represent only a small fraction of political prisoners in China. He hopes for greater participation in providing assistance.
“We hope that overseas Chinese do not forget about China’s democratization, as it is our common cause,” Zhou Fengsuo said. He emphasized that Chinese prisoners of conscience may be the future Vaclav Havels of China (dissidents during the Czech Communist rule who later became the president of Czechoslovakia), and regardless of their loneliness in prison, there are many people both domestically and internationally who care about them.
Feedback from overseas human rights advocates is a great source of encouragement and support for the conscience prisoners enduring captivity.
One of the founding members of the China Democracy Party, Mr. Zhu Yufu, who attended the annual meeting, expressed that “Humanity China” was the first overseas democracy organization he encountered after leaving China. During his medical treatment in Japan, “Humanity China” promptly organized fundraising activities to ensure he could receive treatment without worries.
Mr. Zhu Yufu recalled the encouragement he received when he learned about overseas individuals sending Christmas cards while he was in prison. He mentioned the significance of these messages, as the Chinese authorities aim to isolate prisoners and weaken their will by preventing direct communication with them.
Sculptor Chen Weiming, founder of the Freedom Sculpture Park, spoke at the annual meeting, emphasizing the importance of sending greeting cards to prisoners of conscience before Christmas. He highlighted how these individuals sacrifice and endure imprisonment for democracy and all Chinese people. Knowing that many support them even in the darkness serves as crucial encouragement for them to persevere – a vital source of strength.
Due to the repression by the CCP, many overseas activists hesitate to openly voice their support for persecuted individuals in China but quietly offer financial and other assistance to the human rights cause.
Chen Weiming stressed the importance of not compromising principles despite concerns for the safety of loved ones back in China. “We pursue democracy and freedom for the happiness of our families, but at the same time, we cannot abandon our principles,” he said. “Only by standing firm on our principles will we achieve our goals; otherwise, the Communist Party will continue to advance, and in the end, even if you kneel, they will still trample upon you.”
Chen Weiming added, “In dealing with an evil regime like the Communist Party, we must resist unflinchingly. The more we concede, the greater the losses, eventually losing all freedom.”
Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who defends political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, has endured torture without compromising his stance, spending over seven years in enforced disappearance with his whereabouts still unknown. His safety remains a concern for the international community. His wife, Geng He, specifically sent over a hundred handcrafted Christmas cards to the annual meeting, featuring Gao Zhisheng’s inked portrait.
As introduced by Jielijian, Deputy Chief of the China Democracy Party United Headquarters, each event receives widespread support from the Chinese community. “We are at the forefront, while they quietly provide us with funds, technical support, and various assistance,” he stated.
During the meeting, Zhang Junjie, a member of the China Democracy Party and the event host, asserted that despite the CCP’s vast power, it is essentially a coward, fearing even a blank piece of paper.
“As more and more people dare to stand up and show conscience and courage to the Communist dictatorship, it is the best resistance against the CCP. Dictators tremble when faced with courage and conscience,” Zhang Junjie remarked.