About Us
Initiatives for China Formed to Facilitate Peaceful Transition To Democracy in China
New Forum for Advancing Democracy in China Established
Initiatives for China to serve as a bridge between pro-democracy groups inside China and overseas human rights advocates
Boston, March 4, 2008. Noted Harvard PhD. and democracy activist, Dr. Yang Jianli announced today the formation of a new organization for advancing a peaceful transition to democracy in China. Initiatives for China (GongMinLiLiang 公民力量 or “Citizen Power” in Chinese) will be headquartered in Boston and will serve as a bridge for coordinating programs and forums between pro-democracy groups in China and overseas human rights advocates.
A survivor of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, Dr. Yang returned to the United States in August of 2007 after serving five years as a political prisoner in China. His only offense was to speak to the workers in northern China about labor unrest in the area. Dr. Yang was tortured and spent long periods in solitary confinement. An international outcry called for his freedom, including a UN Resolution and a unanimous vote of both houses of Congress. Because of his experiences and his international standing as a respected scholar, Dr. Yang was entrusted by activists and opinion leaders he met in China to create and lead this organization. “Initiatives for China will empower the citizens of China by giving voice to their struggles for the restoration of human rights and for a peaceful transition to democracy” said Dr. Yang. “I am forever thankful to the American people for their tremendous support. The continued moral leadership of America is vital to the peaceful emergence of a true democracy in China.”
A reception for Dr. Yang will be held at the Massachusetts State House on April 1st at 3:00pm. State Legislators, leaders and friends will welcome Dr. Yang back to Massachusetts. At that time Dr. Yang will announce a major event regarding the importance of continued American support for democratic reform in China.
