“The Chair of Freedom” – In Memory of Liu Xiaobo (1955–2017)
— Pursuing Freedom, Upholding Conscience
报道：李聪玲
时间：2025年7月13日（星期日） 地点：美国加州洛杉矶Santa Monica海滩
编辑：胡丽莉 责任编辑：罗志飞 鲁慧文 翻译：鲁慧文
在刘晓波先生逝世八周年之际，由中国民主党全委会举办了一场题为《自由之椅：给未完成的中国自由留下一把椅子》的庄严纪念活动，来自各地的民主党员、民主人士、人权活动者和普通公民，于7月13日下午齐聚洛杉矶Santa Monica海滩。
本次活动旨在缅怀刘晓波先生不屈不挠的精神，呼唤仍在中国继续为言论自由、民主宪政奋斗的人们，并提醒世界——自由尚未实现，斗争仍在继续。
活动现场布置了一张象征“自由之椅”的巨椅，寓意刘晓波在2010年诺贝尔和平奖颁奖礼上那把因其入狱而无法亲临现场的椅子，也象征中国自由运动中那始终空缺的位置。这把椅子是由中国民主党全委会党员宋佳航耗时数天精心制作。
纪念活动开始前，志愿者们在圣莫妮卡海滩人流密集处向游客介绍刘晓波与《零八宪章》，现场反响热烈，获得了积极反馈。
开场致辞中，主持人赵杰向在场观众回顾了刘晓波先生从八九六四天安门学生运动“广场四君子”到《零八宪章》起草人，再到因言获罪、身陷囹圄，直至病逝狱中的生命轨迹。他强调“刘晓波”不仅是一个名字，更是一种精神——他用一生诠释了什么是为了自由而甘愿承受苦难的意志。
多位中国民主运动前辈与人权活动家亲临现场发言
中国民主党创党元老朱虞夫先生讲述在2024年的今天，国内七位民主人士昝爱宗、邹巍等因在钱塘江边悼念刘晓波，而被中共以“寻衅滋事”批捕羁押。朱虞夫先生表示相信刘晓波先生的理念在我们每个人的心里植根，让我们记住他，了解他，接受他的观念，让我们在新的中国社会里面去发挥自己的作用。
八九学运领袖、六四纪念馆馆长王丹先生，分享与刘晓波先生的往事。八九年刘晓波先生作为知识分子代表，参加了王丹先生与王军涛先生的联席会议。王丹先生和刘晓波先生一起被中共关押在秦城监狱。1991年中共大审判，王丹先生被提到北京市中级法院开庭。在开庭前与刘晓波先生相遇，两人不顾身后多名警察，紧紧拥抱，这是莫大的支持与温暖。刘晓波先生给我们留下的精神遗产：我们要有勇气去坚持，也要坚持我们的勇气。
多位民主人士深情发言：王中伟主委缅怀刘晓波与故友张卉蕾，称他们用生命诠释了信仰与良知；作家汐颜回忆曾因悼念刘晓波被捕，如今在自由中看见越来越多的人站到了一起；康慧女士表达对刘晓波及湖南良心犯支持者欧阳先生的哀思，并讲述自己投身爱心募捐的初心；民主斗士田永德则追述与刘晓波的交往，反思曾对温和抗争的误解，并强调今天的纪念是为了不忘、是为了继续抵抗专制暴政。
中国民主党洛杉矶地区委员会前任主委耿冠军先生回顾了多年筹办纪念的心路历程，对参与者表达感动与鼓励；本次活动总策划郑伟先生强调“纪念就是抵抗”，呼吁铭记自由未竟的道路，并以“空椅子”象征跨越海峡的良知与守望，表达对仍被囚禁者的关切与希望。
他们或回忆往事、或呼唤现实、或直面中共政权的打压与谎言，言辞动人、情感真挚。
活动进入高潮时，组织者邀请所有与会者向自由之椅献花，并集体默哀三分钟，缅怀刘晓波及所有因言获罪者。背景音乐《送别》低回婉转，许多参与者眼含热泪，将鲜花轻放在椅前，表达敬意与哀思。
随后，民主活动家杨晓女士朗诵了北岛1976年创作的名诗《回答》。这首诗以“我不相信”的铿锵语调，表达了对“文革”黑暗现实的质疑与抗争，成为一代青年觉醒的强音。杨晓以坚定决绝的朗诵，宣告对暴政与虚伪的拒绝，使这首诗成为当日最有力量的宣言之一。
接下来的自由发言环节中，来自各地的民主人士依次发言。他们共同表达了一项信念：刘晓波的牺牲不会被遗忘，中国自由的梦想不会终止。
蔡晓丽高呼拒绝恐惧、坚持发声！苏一峰呼吁揭露中共恶行、捍卫自由。倪世成称刘晓波为自省而坚韧的抗争者。张伟讲述了刘晓波去世后当局强行海葬、拒绝立碑的真相。今天大海成为他精神的象征，成为人们寄托追思与坚持自由的所在。陈恩得与李光芒重申刘晓波“我没有敌人”的信念，并深刻指出，这份温和背后，是对极权最无声却最坚决的抗争。林小龙、张荣鑫、马群与杨皓则从不同角度诉说：虽无墓碑可凭吊，但自由之梦仍在延续，我们因记得而不孤单，因坚持而不沉默。
活动尾声，全体与会者手持蜡烛，集体朗诵诗作《宣告》，以诗的语言表达承诺：“我只能选择天空，决不跪在地上，以显出刽子手们的高大。”星光、海风与烛光交织成一场庄严的自由仪式。
主持人郑敏在结语中说：“这场纪念，不只是悼念过去，更是为了照亮未来。自由之椅不会永远空着——只要我们还在，只要我们还记得。”
这是一场纪念，也是一场动员；这是一次哀悼，也是一种抵抗。在今日自由仍遭压制、暴政仍在蔓延的时代，刘晓波留下的不只是回忆，更是一份未竟的使命。正如活动所展现的——我们都可以成为接棒者。
“The Chair of Freedom” – In Memory of Liu Xiaobo (1955–2017)
— Pursuing Freedom, Upholding Conscience
Reported by: Li Congling Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Location: Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA
Editors: Hu Lili, Chief Editors: Luo Zhifei, Lu Huiwen Translation: Lu Huiwen
On the eighth anniversary of Mr. Liu Xiaobo’s death, the China Democracy Party Central Committee held a solemn memorial event titled “The Chair of Freedom: Leaving a Chair for China’s Unfinished Freedom.” On the afternoon of July 13, democratic party members, pro-democracy activists, human rights defenders, and ordinary citizens gathered at Santa Monica Beach in Los Angeles.
This event aimed to commemorate Mr. Liu Xiaobo’s unyielding spirit, to call upon those still fighting for freedom of expression and constitutional democracy in China, and to remind the world — freedom has yet to be realized, and the struggle continues.
At the event site, a giant chair symbolizing the “Chair of Freedom” was set up. It referenced the empty chair at the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, which Liu Xiaobo could not attend due to imprisonment. It also symbolized the ever-empty place within China’s freedom movement. The chair was meticulously crafted over several days by CDP Central Committee member Song Jiahang.
Before the memorial began, volunteers introduced Liu Xiaobo and Charter 08 to tourists in the crowded areas of Santa Monica Beach. The public response was enthusiastic, with many expressing positive feedback.
In the opening address, host Zhao Jie recounted Liu Xiaobo’s life path to the audience: from being one of the “Four Gentlemen of Tiananmen” during the 1989 student movement, to co-authoring Charter 08, to being imprisoned for his words, and eventually dying in prison. He emphasized that “Liu Xiaobo” is not just a name, but a spirit — he spent his life embodying the will to endure suffering for the sake of freedom.
Several pioneers of China’s democratic movement and human rights activists gave speeches in person.
Mr. Zhu Yufu, founding elder of the China Democracy Party, spoke about how in 2024, seven democracy activists including Zan Aizong and Zou Wei were arrested and detained by the CCP on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” after mourning Liu Xiaobo by the Qiantang River. Mr. Zhu expressed his belief that Liu Xiaobo’s ideals have taken root in each of us — let us remember him, understand him, accept his views, and fulfill our roles in a new Chinese society.
1989 student movement leader and June Fourth Museum director Mr. Wang Dan shared his memories of Liu Xiaobo. In 1989, Liu Xiaobo, as a representative of intellectuals, participated in a joint meeting with Wang Dan and Wang Juntao. He and Wang Dan were imprisoned together by the CCP in Qincheng Prison. During the mass political trials in 1991, Wang Dan was brought to the Beijing Intermediate People’s Court. Before the trial, he encountered Liu Xiaobo. Despite the many police officers behind them, the two embraced tightly — it was an immense show of support and warmth. The spiritual legacy Liu left us is this: we must have the courage to persist, and persist in our courage.
Many democracy activists gave heartfelt speeches:
• Chairman Wang Zhongwei commemorated Liu Xiaobo and his late friend Zhang Huilei, saying they embodied faith and conscience with their lives.
• Writer Xiyan recalled being arrested for mourning Liu, and now in freedom, sees more and more people standing together.
• Ms. Kang Hui expressed her grief for Liu Xiaobo and Mr. Ouyang, a supporter of conscience prisoners in Hunan, and shared her original motivation for engaging in charity work.
• Democracy fighter Tian Yongde recounted his interactions with Liu, reflected on his past misunderstanding of peaceful resistance, and stressed that today’s memorial is about not forgetting — and about continuing to resist authoritarian tyranny.
Former CDP Los Angeles Committee Chair Geng Guanjun reflected on his years of emotional effort organizing these memorials and offered his gratitude and encouragement to all participants. Chief planner Zheng Wei emphasized, “To commemorate is to resist,” urging everyone to remember the unfinished road to freedom. He pointed to the empty chair as a symbol of conscience and vigilance spanning the strait, expressing concern and hope for those still imprisoned.
Whether recalling the past, calling out the present, or directly confronting the CCP’s repression and lies, their words were moving and sincere.
As the event reached its climax, organizers invited all attendees to present flowers to the Chair of Freedom and observe a three-minute moment of silence to commemorate Liu Xiaobo and all those convicted for their speech. The background music “Farewell” played softly and wistfully. Many participants, with tears in their eyes, gently placed flowers in front of the chair, expressing their respect and grief.
Next, democracy activist Ms. Yang Xiao recited Bei Dao’s iconic 1976 poem “The Answer.” With its powerful opening line “I do not believe,” the poem expresses defiance and resistance against the dark realities of the Cultural Revolution. It became a rallying cry for an awakening generation. Yang Xiao delivered a firm, resolute performance, declaring a rejection of tyranny and hypocrisy — making the poem one of the most powerful declarations of the day.
During the following open mic session, democracy activists from all over took turns speaking. They expressed a shared belief: Liu Xiaobo’s sacrifice will not be forgotten, and the dream of freedom for China will not end.
• Cai Xiaoli shouted a call to reject fear and to keep speaking out!
• Su Yifeng urged the exposure of CCP atrocities and the defense of freedom.
• Ni Shicheng described Liu Xiaobo as a self-reflective and resilient fighter.
• Zhang Wei recounted the truth about how, after Liu’s death, the authorities forcibly cremated and buried him at sea, refusing to allow a tombstone. Today, the ocean has become a symbol of his spirit — a place where people entrust their mourning and ongoing commitment to freedom.
• Chen Ende and Li Guangmang reaffirmed Liu Xiaobo’s belief of “I have no enemies” and profoundly pointed out that behind such gentleness lies the most silent yet determined resistance to totalitarianism.
• Lin Xiaolong, Zhang Rongxin, Ma Qun, and Yang Hao spoke from different angles: though there is no grave to mourn at, the dream of freedom continues. We are not alone because we remember; we are not silent because we persist.
At the conclusion of the event, all participants held candles and together recited the poem “Declaration,” using the language of poetry to express their commitment:
“I can only choose the sky, never kneel to the ground, to make executioners look tall.”
Starlight, sea breeze, and candlelight wove together a solemn ceremony for freedom.
In her closing remarks, host Zheng Min said:
“This memorial is not just to mourn the past, but to illuminate the future. The Chair of Freedom will not remain empty — as long as we are here, as long as we remember.”
This was a memorial, but also a mobilization; a mourning, and also a form of resistance. In today’s world, where freedom is still suppressed and tyranny continues to spread, Liu Xiaobo leaves us not only with memories, but with an unfinished mission. As this event demonstrated — each of us can be the one to carry the torch.
