US Rally Calls For Release of Democracy Activist Yang Jianli
"The Chinese government's behavior does not accord with the way a leading nation should act"

Bi Ruzong

On September 21st, the parish, where Yang practiced his Christian faith, held a dinner event to raise money for Yang's legal defense and drew a great variety of people, who came both to demand his immediate release and to show support for his suffering wife, Christina Fu.

Yang Jianli was born in the Northeast of China and was a participant in the 1989 Tiananmen Square student demonstrations. He came to the United States shortly after and obtained Ph.D's from both the University of California at Berkley and at Harvard University. He then founded the Foundation for China in the 21st Century, becoming one of the more famous overseas Chinese democracy activists. He was detained when returning to China in April 2002 using a friend's passport in order to observe labor unrest. He has been charged with "espionage" and "illegal entry", but Chinese authorities have yet to issue a ruling on his case.

Massachussetts Congressman Barney Frank stayed for the whole duration of the event and at the end was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by Rev. Frank Killian of the First Parish for his diligent efforts working for the release of Yang Jianli over the past year and for his contributions to China's human rights situation.

Shortly after Yang's detention, Congressman Frank issued a joint letter with other letters from Massachusetts to Secretary of State Colin Powell, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Yang Jiechi, and to other leaders of the PRC, and held a press conference to call for Yang’s release.

In his speech at the fundraising event, Congressman Frank stated, "China's position in the world is becoming more and more important, but the Chinese government's behavior does not accord with the way a leading nation should act." He continued by saying, "Along with the fact that he loved his native China, Mr. Yang Jianli didn't do anything wrong; the Chinese government shouldn't persecute someone who loves China." He also felt that even though Yang's passport had already expired that "he shouldn't receive such treatment", referring to Yang's detention, trial and possible future sentencing. Congressman Frank also praised Mrs. Fu for her tireless efforts, encouraging her to keep her spirits high.

Also invited to speak was Wang Dan, one of the leaders of the 1989 student movement. Wang spoke of his own experience of long-term detention as well as his shock at the circumstances facing his close friend Yang Jianli, whom he praised for his contribution to Chinese democracy over the last 14 years. Wang also attacked the PRC government's failure to grant Chinese citizens the right to return to their motherland.

Mrs. Fu used her speech to offer thanks to all of the local members of her community and her friends for their support, including fundraising, signature-collecting, and preparing for the dinner event. She recounted a few stories about her husband to help people understand his willingness to help others. According to her, during his year long detention without charges, Yang had discovered that his lawyer could often transmit news for him to his family, and he hoped that the news would help his son get through the tough times as well. Ms. Fu also recounted how Yang's elder siblings, not having seen their younger brother for over ten years, would wait outside the court for him to arrive. Ms. Fu, expressing her son's wish to see his missing father, hoped that Yang Jianli could come home soon.

Many of Yang's neighbors and the principals of local schools attended the dinner event as well. One neighbor expressed that although she did not know Yang very well, upon hearing of his detention and his democracy work, she immediately stood up to support him and to demand his release. The principal of the school where Yang's son studies, Carol Schraft, expressed her deep love for Chinese culture, saying how students at her school from kindergarten up until the sixth grade all studied Chinese. Schraft felt that the Chinese government's behavior was incomprehensible and wished for his quick release.

Reference site: www.yangjianli.com

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Source: "The Epoch Times".