From Communist China to the United States: Stories of Pursuing Freedom

Falun Dafa Club at Harvard Griffin GSAS aims to provide an open environment for members and affiliates of Harvard Griffin GSAS to freely practice Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) on campus, which is a traditional Chinese spiritual practice for the mind and body centered on the moral principles of Truthfulness "真" (zhen), Compassion "善" (shan), and "Forbearance "忍" (ren).

Sadly, due to widespread disinformation, Falun Dafa still faces misunderstanding and hostility from some of the citizens from today's China and beyond. This is why we also host events to raise awareness of the institutionalized oppression it faces in today's China, while clarifying any disinformation propagandized on the practice.

Since its establishment, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been engaging in the world’s most comprehensive campaign of transnational repression, targeting exile communities, members of the diaspora, and supporters in dozens of countries around the world with digital surveillance, attempted censorship, and even physical attacks.

A recent study found that at least 45 US universities have Falun Gong practitioners or clubs on campus and that many encounter suspicious surveillance, intimidation from Chinese officials or their proxies, and even demonizing depictions in Chinese-language textbooks used in American classrooms. Join experts on transnational repression and the persecution of Falun Gong as they shed light on how CCP surveillance, slander, and censorship impinge upon free expression and belief at American societies, and what we can do in the United States to respond.

Under the intense silencing efforts from the CCP, The Epoch Times published an editorial series “Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party” in November 2004, detailing the Chinese regime’s totalitarian rule and human rights abuses. It provides a thoroughed examination of the history of the Chinese Communist Party’s consolidation of power through violence, disinformation, and social division that that dismantled traditional culture rooted in Confucianism and suppressed religious beliefs—most notoriously the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976.

The Nine Commentaries corrects the false historical narrative, distorted culture, and misguided moral values established by the CCP. This is why it is strictly banned in China—because once people read it, the regime’s disinformation and lies lose their grip on society.

Since many in the West do not understand the methods and tactics employed by the CCP to do harm, we feel that hosting this symposium is a peaceful and powerful way to convey the message to our classmates and colleagues, especially those living under the terror, censorship, and surveillance of the Chinese Communist Regime, that a future of China without Communism and the distorted rule of the Chinese Communist Party is not only possible, but wonderful.

We understand and respect different perspectives of the audience. Regardless of the perspectives, we believe the utmost fear to a Totalitarian regime is a public with independent thought. Therefore, we aim to build a collaborative and open discussion with the audience and the panelists. We welcome any questions from the audience, even critical ones.

Hope to see you in person!

*As a Student Group at Harvard Griffin GSAS, we maintain our local autonomy. Our policies and decisions are made by students alone and are not influenced by any outside organizations.

* Funding for this event was made possible, all or in part, due to funding from the Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Council (GSC).

Host or Publisher Falun Dafa Club at Harvard GSAS