Los Angeles Roars Again: Support for Fang Yirong, Civic Resistance Unceasing
— Report on the 748th “Jasmine Action”
作者：李聪玲
编辑：罗志飞 责任编辑：鲁慧文 翻译：鲁慧文
【洛杉矶讯】2025年7月26日下午四点整，第748次“茉莉花行动”如期在中共驻洛杉矶总领事馆前举行。本次集会以“声援方艺融”为主题，由中国民主党全国委员会主办，程铭与林养正共同担任主持，活动聚集了众多关注中国人权、民主、法治前景的各界人士。
此次集会旨在声援因言获罪的中国异议人士方艺融与彭立发。两人分别因在街头表达对中国政府的不满、呼吁宪政民主，而遭当局秘密逮捕、长期监禁，甚至生死未卜。
彭立发早在2022年10月以“天桥勇士”身份在北京四通桥拉起横幅，抗议习近平连任，呼吁“不要核酸要吃饭，不要封控要自由”，震惊世界。三年过去，据传他已被秘密重判九年，关押地点与健康状况不明。
2024年7月30日，方艺融在新化县一座人行天桥上悬挂一条白底红字巨幅横幅，内容改编自2022年北京“四通桥事件”的标语，写着：“不要特权要平等，不要文革要改革，不要封控要自由，不要领袖要选票，不要谎言要尊严，不做奴才做公民”同时，他用音响播放“要自由、要民主、要选票！罢课罢工罢免独裁国贼习近平”的口号。方艺融，作为近年来罕见的公开抗议者，勇敢走上了街头，质疑高压统治，最终遭秘密审讯与羁押。
主持人程铭在开场致辞中讲到，方艺融用血肉之躯对抗谎言与暴政，是我们的榜样，更是这个民族尚未灭绝的希望。
在庄严肃穆的氛围中，发言环节陆续展开。发言人包括杨皓、马群、张东灏、倪世成及刘敖等人。他们在集会中慷慨陈词，谴责中共政权对言论自由、公民权利的持续打压，并特别呼吁国际社会关注近日遭到迫害的方艺融，以及四通桥勇士彭立发等人。
发言结束后，全体与会者集体合唱纪念彭立发的歌曲，声援这位未曾屈服的公民。随后大家拉起横幅，围绕中共驻洛杉矶总领事馆门前展开和平示威游行，高喊：“不做奴隶做公民！”、“释放良心犯！”、“打倒中共暴政！”、“End CCP！”口号声此起彼伏，引来路人驻足关注，有人拍照记录，也有人竖起大拇指表示支持。
主办单位中国民主党全国委员会表示，第748次茉莉花行动既是对“天桥勇士”们的致敬，也是对中国公民社会精神的守护。面对日益收紧的言论空间与极权主义扩张，只有海外的自由之地，才是保存民主火种的希望之所。“我们不会停止，哪怕是每周一次，哪怕是只有几个人，我们也要继续站出来，为他们发声，为未来铺路。”，主持人林养正说到。
活动在傍晚平和有序地结束。参与者陆续离去，但他们手中的横幅、他们坚定的眼神，却在洛杉矶烈日下投下长长的影子。从北京四通桥到洛杉矶领事馆，从孤身抗争到集体呐喊，这些行动昭示着：即使铁幕尚在、长夜未明，但有良知者就不会忘记呐喊，有公义者就不愿屈从于沉默。天桥勇士不是孤独的——在世界的另一端，还有无数人正在接力奔跑。
Los Angeles Roars Again: Support for Fang Yirong, Civic Resistance Unceasing
— Report on the 748th “Jasmine Action”
By: Li Congling
Editor: Luo Zhifei Chief Editor: Lu Huiwen Translation: Lu Huiwen
[Los Angeles] — At precisely 4:00 p.m. on July 26, 2025, the 748th “Jasmine Action” was held as scheduled in front of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles. Centered on the theme “Support Fang Yirong,” the rally was organized by the China Democracy Party National Committee, with Cheng Ming and Lin Yangzheng serving as co-hosts. The event drew numerous participants concerned with the future of human rights, democracy, and rule of law in China.
This gathering aimed to support Chinese dissidents Fang Yirong and Peng Lifa, both of whom were arrested and detained for expressing dissatisfaction with the Chinese government and calling for constitutional democracy. Their whereabouts remain unknown, and they have reportedly been subjected to long-term secret detention.
Peng Lifa, known as the “Bridge Man,” shocked the world in October 2022 when he unfurled a banner on Beijing’s Sitong Bridge protesting Xi Jinping’s reappointment. His slogans included: “We want food, not COVID tests; we want freedom, not lockdowns.” Three years later, it is reported that Peng has been secretly sentenced to nine years in prison. His place of detention and health condition remain unclear.
On July 30, 2024, Fang Yirong hung a large white banner with red characters from a pedestrian bridge in Xinhua County. The message, adapted from Peng Lifa’s slogans, read:
“We want equality, not privilege; we want reform, not a Cultural Revolution; we want freedom, not lockdowns; we want votes, not a supreme leader; we want dignity, not lies. We will not be slaves, but citizens.”
He also broadcast slogans through a loudspeaker: “We want freedom, democracy, and votes! Boycott classes, boycott work, recall the traitorous dictator Xi Jinping!”
As a rare public protester in recent years, Fang bravely took to the streets to challenge authoritarian rule and was eventually subjected to secret interrogation and detention.
In his opening speech, host Cheng Ming said, “Fang Yirong used his own flesh and blood to confront lies and tyranny. He is our role model, and a symbol of hope that our nation’s spirit is not yet extinguished.”
The speeches then began in a solemn and respectful atmosphere. Speakers included Yang Hao, Ma Qun, Zhang Donghao, Ni Shicheng, and Liu Ao. They passionately condemned the CCP’s ongoing suppression of free speech and civic rights, and called on the international community to pay attention to the persecution of Fang Yirong and other activists such as Peng Lifa.
Following the speeches, participants sang a song in memory of Peng Lifa, showing solidarity with this unyielding citizen. Attendees then unfurled banners and marched peacefully around the entrance of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, chanting slogans such as “Be citizens, not slaves!”, “Free prisoners of conscience!”, “Down with the CCP tyranny!”, and “End CCP!” The chants drew attention from passersby—some stopped to take photos, others gave thumbs-up in support.
The organizing body, the China Democracy Party National Committee, stated that the 748th Jasmine Action was both a tribute to the “Bridge Warriors” and a defense of the spirit of Chinese civil society. In the face of tightening speech control and authoritarian expansion, only the free lands overseas can serve as sanctuaries for preserving the flame of democracy.
“We will not stop,” said co-host Lin Yangzheng, “even if it’s only once a week, even if there are only a few people, we will keep standing up, speaking out for them, and paving the way for the future.”
The event concluded peacefully in the evening. Participants gradually dispersed, but the banners in their hands and the determination in their eyes cast long shadows under the blazing Los Angeles sun. From Sitong Bridge in Beijing to the consulate in Los Angeles, from lone resistance to collective outcry, these actions proclaim: even if the iron curtain still stands and the long night has yet to lift, those with conscience will not forget to cry out, and those with justice will not succumb to silence.
The Bridge Warriors are not alone — on the other side of the world, countless people are running the next leg of the relay.
