On August 23, 2003, they gathered on Boston Common, about one hundred strong, to kick off the first public rally of the Global Coalition To Bring Jiang To Justice. "They" included representatives from various human rights groups, scholars, students, homemakers, and many conscientious individuals who want to see justice served on the former leader of China, Jiang Zemin, for his crimes of slander, torture, and genocide.

"Although you're not being persecuted right now, don't think it's irrelevant," said Mr. Chen Zhiqiang, who represents the Friends of Hong Kong and Macao Association. He continued, "As long as the regime holds onto power, it will continuously suppress the people. Over the past fifty-four years, various social levels in China have held onto this fantasy. When landlords were being cracked down on, capitalists thought, 'Who cares, I'm not a landlord.' A few years later, it was time for capitalists in urban areas to be cracked down on. And then intellectuals thought, 'So what, we are not mixed up with the capitalists.' Soon, in 1957, over five hundred thousand intellectuals were classified as 'Rightists.'" Mr. Chen concluded his speech by saying, "For those who think that the suppression of Falun Gong, the activists of China's democracy movement, and people of religious beliefs has little to do with you: it is time to take history into account. You will fall victim to this brutality, and your children will fall victim."

Dr. Wei Pengfei, a member of the outreach committee for the Global Coalition, kicked off the 2-hour rally by explaining the necessity of the Global Coalition To Bring Jiang To Justice. He said, "The coalition's mission is to expose Jiang's crimes and bring him to trial on the grounds of conscience, morality, and justice."

Meng Lang, a freelance poet from China residing in Boston, expressed his personal support: "In China's modern history, the vast number of victims abused simply for holding up freedom of belief and speech as well as the intensity of the persecution are something rarely seen anywhere else in the world." He added, "Whether you are a Chinese citizen or a Chinese living overseas, everyone has the right to express themselves clearly and hold firm to one's freedom of religion or belief, including the freedom to not having any religious belief. In China's modern history, the vast number of victims abused simply for holding up freedom of belief and speech as well as the intensity of the persecution are something rarely seen anywhere else in the world."

"...everyone present here...has a dream.
In his address to the rally, Mr. Tang Boqiao, chairman of a Chinese peace organization, eloquently expressed the purpose and the spirit of this global movement: "Today's gathering puts not only Jiang Zemin in the spotlight. Being a killer who pulls down a country, Jiang has headed an entire evil regime. Today's gathering has made it known that people from all walks of life in China are standing up and placing Jiang on trial."

Marcus Gale performing "The Trial", a song he wrote about bringing Jiang to justice.

Mr. Tang continued, "All the speakers at the podium have their various perspectives, and we are speaking our minds. This sends out a clear signal to Jiang that we are coming together, which is what Jiang is afraid of the most. Jiang and his followers have tried to segregate the public into little pockets, thus disintegrating the power of the people. Today they should have learned that their schemes are no longer working. I believe we are about to hear the true voice and feel the true impact of the people of China.

"What Jiang Zemin represents is degeneration, a reversal of social civilization, and a downward spiral of moral standards. What Jiang represents is corruption. Just like going after Nazis and other criminals whose days were numbered, placing Jiang on trial in the public spotlight itself shows the gathering of momentum by the power of justice. The evil forces are on the run, and eventually, they will have nowhere to hide."

Mr. Tang reiterated, "To publicly put Jiang on trial is not to overthrow a regime with violence. This is not to fight violence with violence, or to fight evil with evil. We are non-violent." "This non-violent movement is unprecedented throughout China's history. Here I would like to express my gratitude to our Falun Gong friends, who have pioneered this movement." At the end of the speech Mr. Tang Boqiao said, "Over forty years ago, Martin Luther King made his speech 'I Have a Dream,' and today everyone present here also has a dream. A dream of a China that is free. It is my belief that our dream is definitely going to come true."

The Global Coalition To Bring Jiang To Justice comprises over fifty groups and organizations in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. The number of individual members is also increasing daily. The coalition plans to hold more public events to raise public awareness.

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Elizabeth Wang, from the Association to Safeguard the Rights of Women & Children

Damon Noto and Ming Liu, co-hosts of the rally

Meng Lang, free-lance poet from China

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More Rallies

Global Coalition Rally in Toronto

Global Coalition Rally in Munich

Global Coalition Rally - United Nations

Global Coalition Rally in Sydney

Global Coalition Rally in Melbourne

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