SAN FRANCISCO—About 100 pro-democracy activists gathered in Chinatown’s Portsmouth Square on Aug. 16 to call for the flag of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to be removed from the city.
Their white shirts read, “Deport All CCP Agents!” Their black signs read, “Free Hong Kong.”
Several speakers explained the event’s significance. They expressed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) does not represent the Chinese people.
They have two goals, he told The Epoch Times. One is to write letters to San Francisco city officials urging them not to raise the red flag anymore. Between now and Oct. 1, the National Day of the People’s Republic of China, they will host events with mainstream media and advertise.
The other goal is to urge pro-communist associations to remove the red flag.
“We just saw [an association] already lowering the flag. Perhaps they feel that it should not be flown anymore. It’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Zheng said. “If everyone tries a little and builds momentum, there will be change, they will feel pressured, and they will change.”
Hong Kong Supporters
The banner lists 10 of the CCP’s evil deeds as well as reasons why the flag should not fly in the United States.Rick Weyrich, from Vallejo, California, is a Hong Kong supporter and has been attending the annual Tiananmen Square Massacre candlelight vigil for the last 10 years.
“Over the years and through the last few events and the last few months, I think we’ve really seen the true character of the Chinese Communist Party,” Weyrich told The Epoch Times. “I think for years a number of Americans have been slightly naive about China and the Chinese Communist Party ... because of all the economic benefits that the United States has gotten.”
Weyrich believes the event is good because it means people have a voice to criticize the CCP. He attended the event to support the real people of China, not the CCP.
“The Chinese Communist Party does not really represent people that live in the United States that are of Chinese descent. And I think that’s really important,” he said.
Alex Leung, originally from Hong Kong, drove up from Los Angeles to show his support.
“This event is very meaningful. We want to tell the world that even though there is a pandemic going on, we still need to stand out,” Leung told The Epoch Times.
Refugees from China
In 2017, Tianshi Chen escaped from China to California. He was the head of a student propaganda department in 1989. After the Tiananmen Square Massacre, the government pursued him. He has been jailed three times.“Those in my generation who were born and raised under the red flag know its true nature,” Chen told The Epoch Times. “The CCP is an evil spirit that came from Europe. It has harmed Chinese citizens for almost 100 years. It is an evil cult, a people’s religion. In the name of serving people, they torture us, persecute us, and deprive us.”
Jiaqi Zhang came to the United States three years ago for freedom and democracy. She hopes that the CCP agents will leave the United States so the Chinese in America can relax.
Back in China, Zhang was taken in for questioning and put in jail for voicing her opinion against the CCP’s actions.
“I really cherish the opportunity to escape from China and come to the U.S.,” Zhang told The Epoch Times. “I hope everyone can get together to support democracy and reject the CCP. Only this way will China have hope, and its citizens will not have to endure such long-term oppression and corruption.”
After the rally at Portsmouth Square, they walked around Chinatown and left flyers for associations, urging them to take down the red flags.
They intend to keep doing so every week until the flags are removed.
