作者：卢超
编辑：李晶
校对：毛一炜
翻译：戈冰
2026年4月25日，我参加了“787次茉莉花行动——声援程方维”，心里想的其实是这是我们民主党人的命运。
程方维的事情，对我们在海外参加民运的人来说，不只是一个新闻，更像是一面镜子。他曾在悉尼求学，在自由的环境里表达对家乡的关心，参加过集会，说过心里话。然而，仅仅因为这些再正常不过的行为，回国后却换来了“分裂国家罪”和六年的刑期。这个代价，沉重得让人透不过气。
坐在台下或站在街头时，我们民主党人可能都闪过同样的念头：如果是我回国，会怎样？这种担忧是真实的。程方维案的意义，就在于它试图给每一个海外发声的人戴上一把无形的枷锁，让我们即便身在万里之外，依然感受到那种如影随形的压抑。
但我参与民主党活动这么久，和大家一起走过这么多次街道，我发现恐惧并没有让我们散去。相反，这件事让我们更清楚自己为什么站在这里。
其实，我们追求的东西很简单。呐喊不是为了出名，也不是为了某种宏大的口号，它仅仅是人的一种本能。就像人需要呼吸一样，当我们看到不公、看到同胞受难，表达异议是理所应当的权利。这种权利不应该因为跨越了一根国境线，就变成了一种罪名。
程方维用他的六年自由，提醒了我们海外抗争的实际处境。如果我们因为这种压力而退缩，那么这种“长臂管辖”就真的成功了。我们继续参加活动，继续声援，不是因为我们不害怕，而是因为我们深知，如果今天我们保持沉默，那么未来每一个留学生、每一个海外民主党人都将失去说话的安全感。
今天的行动，是对程方维的一份支持。我们要在自由的土地上，替他把没说完的话说完。这不仅是为了一个名字，更是为了守住我们做人的底线：呐喊是自由的，而自由是不该被审判的。
前路或许依然艰难，但只要我们民主党人还聚在一起，声音就不会熄灭。程方维，我们不仅记着你的名字，更会带着你的那份坚持走下去。
The Democratic Party Members’ Perspective on and Commitment to the Cheng Fangwei Case
Author: Lu Chao
Editor: Li Jing
Proofreader: Mao Yiwei
Translator: Ge Bing
On April 25, 2026, I participated in the “787th Jasmine Action—In Solidarity with Cheng Fangwei,” thinking to myself that this is, in fact, the fate of us members of the Democratic Party.
For those of us overseas participating in the pro-democracy movement, Cheng Fangwei’s case is not merely a news story; it is more like a mirror. He once studied in Sydney, where he expressed his concern for his homeland in a free environment, attended rallies, and spoke his mind. Yet, simply for these perfectly normal actions, upon returning to China, he was charged with “separatism” and sentenced to six years in prison. The price he paid is so heavy it takes one’s breath away.
Whether sitting in the audience or standing on the street, we Democrats have likely all had the same thought: What if it were me returning home? This concern is very real. The significance of the Cheng Fangwei case lies in its attempt to place an invisible shackle on every person speaking out from overseas, making us feel that ever-present oppression even when we are thousands of miles away.
But having participated in Democratic Party activities for so long and marched in the streets with you all so many times, I’ve found that fear hasn’t driven us apart. On the contrary, this incident has made us even clearer about why we stand here.
In truth, what we seek is simple. We do not raise our voices for fame, nor for some grand slogan; it is simply a human instinct. Just as we need to breathe, when we witness injustice or see our compatriots suffering, voicing dissent is a right we are entitled to. This right should not become a crime simply because we have crossed a national border.
Cheng Fangwei, with the six years of his freedom, has reminded us of the harsh reality of resistance abroad. If we retreat in the face of this pressure, then this “long-arm jurisdiction” will truly have succeeded. We continue to participate in activities and offer our support not because we are unafraid, but because we know full well that if we remain silent today, every international student and every overseas democrat will lose the security to speak out in the future.
Today’s action is a show of support for Cheng Fangwei. On this land of freedom, we will speak the words he was unable to finish. This is not merely for the sake of a single name, but to uphold the fundamental principles of our humanity: the right to speak out is a freedom, and freedom should never be put on trial.
The road ahead may still be arduous, but as long as we Democrats remain united, our voices will not be silenced. Cheng Fangwei, we not only remember your name, but we will carry forward the perseverance you embodied.
