—旧金山民主人士纪念刘晓波逝世九周年
7月12日，全体与会人员合影留念，共同缅怀刘晓波先生逝世九周年（本文全部照片由关永杰提供）
作者：吕小静
【旧金山讯】 海风轻拂，潮起潮落。 2026年7月12日下午，旧金山湾区San Leandro Marina Park海边，没有喧闹的锣鼓，没有激昂的音乐，只有一束束洁白的鲜花,以及一群静静伫立的人们。来自中国民主党旧金山党部、中国民主教育基金会、中国民主党Fremont支部及湾区各界民主人士相聚于此，以默哀、献花、诗歌朗诵和主题发言等方式，深切缅怀诺贝尔和平奖得主、中国著名作家、人权活动家刘晓波先生逝世九周年。
九年前，中共不仅让刘晓波在囚禁与严密监控中走完生命最后一程，更将他的骨灰撒向大海。没有墓碑，没有墓园，没有可以凭吊的坐标。这一决定，至今仍被许多人视为试图抹去历史记忆的象征。
然而，九年后的今天，人们依然来到海边。 因为，他们相信，记忆不会因海浪而消散，良知不会因岁月而沉默。
活动开始，全体人员肃立，为刘晓波默哀一分钟。随后，与会者依次向象征刘晓波先生的“空椅子”敬献鲜花，现场朗诵了吴祚来、李英强、邹幸彤等人为刘晓波创作的纪念诗，以及刘晓波狱中最后陈述《我没有敌人》节选。
“表达自由，人权之基，人性之本，真理之母。封杀言论自由，践踏人权，窒息人性，压抑真理。”
一句句文字，在海风中缓缓响起，也让现场陷入长久的沉默。
主持人刘静涛和高应芬在开场中表示，在中国大陆，公开纪念刘晓波长期受到打压，不少公民仅因海祭、献花或发表悼念文字，就遭到拘留、判刑、约谈或长期监控。从广东江门海祭案，到近年来多起因悼念刘晓波而遭打压的事件，都提醒世人：在中国，记住一位追求自由的人，有时本身就需要勇气。然而，也正因为有人拒绝遗忘，坚持见证，刘晓波追求自由、民主、人权与法治的精神，才能不断传承、生生不息。
作为活动主讲嘉宾，中国民主党旧金山党部主席、六四幸存者方政首先发言。他深情回忆，刘晓波不仅是自己的老师，更是无数民主人士共同的精神导师。从1989年的天安门广场，到《零八宪章》，再到诺贝尔和平奖，刘晓波始终坚持和平、理性、非暴力的理念，即使身陷囹圄，也从未放弃对自由与良知的追求。
方政特别回顾了1989年6月4日凌晨那段刻骨铭心的历史。他表示，当时刘晓波与侯德健为避免更多学生流血牺牲，主动与戒严部队展开谈判，最终促成大批学生和平撤离天安门广场。然而，这位尽最大努力保护生命的人，却因此付出了漫长牢狱的代价，最终未能活着走出监狱。
针对外界长期存在的有关“刘晓波没有看到六四屠杀”的争议，方政也作出回应。他表示，刘晓波当时所说的是自己在撤离天安门广场过程中，没有亲眼看到学生遭到屠杀，这是基于当时所处位置的真实经历，并不意味着六四没有发生血腥镇压，更不应被中共断章取义，用来否定历史事实。
方政回忆，自己离开广场不到两个小时，便在西长安街亲眼目睹坦克碾压学生和平民，并因此失去双腿。他认为，每一位历史亲历者看到的都只是历史的一部分，而刘晓波后来也曾对此进行反思。令他最为感动的是，当刘晓波得知自己获得诺贝尔和平奖后说出的第一句话是：“这个奖献给所有六四亡灵。”在方政看来，这不仅体现了刘晓波对历史的铭记，更彰显了他始终没有放弃对真相、良知和逝者的敬意。
方政表示，中共不仅让刘晓波失去了生命，更试图抹去人们对他的记忆。他指出，当局将刘晓波的骨灰撒入大海，并非只是处理遗体，而是试图消灭一个可以让后人凭吊的坐标——没有墓碑，就没有祭奠；没有墓园，就没有聚集；没有实体，就难以形成持续的公共记忆。然而，他坚定地说：“只要有水的地方，就有刘晓波。”一句朴实的话，道出了无数民主人士共同的心声，也成为当天纪念活动中最令人动容的一句话。
民主党党员李树青在发言中几度哽咽失声，现场气氛凝重
相比激昂的口号，更令人难忘的是现场流露出的真情。在发言环节，民主党党员李树青谈到刘晓波为了自由、人权和民主，被中共关押十一年，最终未能活着走出监狱时，声音突然哽咽，几度停顿，久久无法继续发言。站在身旁的主持人刘静涛轻轻拍着他的肩膀安慰，现场顿时陷入一片寂静，不少与会者默默低下头，眼眶湿润。没有豪言壮语，没有刻意渲染，这一刻，人们用沉默表达着对一位良知者最深切的怀念。
随后，多位民主人士围绕刘晓波留下的精神遗产，从不同角度分享了自己的思考。
中国民主党全委会河南工委主任蔡晓丽表示，九年前的今天，刘晓波最终在囚禁与监控中病逝，成为中国民主与人权事业无法抹去的伤痛。她指出，暴政或许能够夺走一个人的生命，却无法扼杀刘晓波亲手播下的自由种子，更无法熄灭人们对民主、自由与人权的追求。她同时呼吁社会持续关注仍遭打压的维权人士和青年学生，认为在独裁统治之下，许多年轻人的理想、正义与未来正不断遭受摧残，而纪念刘晓波，就是为了让生者更加勇敢，让追求自由的信念薪火相传。
民主党党员李小林则表示，纪念刘晓波不仅是缅怀一位知识分子和诺贝尔和平奖得主，更重要的是重新思考他留给中国社会的精神财富。他认为，刘晓波长期坚持和平、理性、非暴力，倡导自由、人权、法治与宪政，这些理念至今仍不断启发后来者。面对现实，人们或许会思考和平道路还有多大的实践空间，但无论答案如何，坚持独立思考，不放弃对公正社会的追求，本身就是纪念刘晓波最好的方式。
中国民主党旧金山党部活动部部长郭志军表示，刘晓波留下的不仅是一座诺贝尔和平奖，更是一种坚持和平、理性、非暴力的精神力量。他指出，刘晓波提出“我没有敌人，也没有仇恨”，不是软弱，而是在长期迫害中依然坚守人性与宽容的勇气。随后，郭志军现场朗诵了《我没有敌人》节选，再次唤起人们对言论自由、公民责任和法治精神的思考。
民主党党员郭鉴鑫表示，刘晓波是一位始终坚持和平、倡导人权、法治和政治改革的民主人士，却因此遭受长期关押，最终未能活着走出监狱。他认为，刘晓波的离世不仅是一位民主先行者的悲剧，更折射出中国人权与法治面临的严峻现实。他呼吁更多人继续为民主、自由与法治努力，并要求中共释放所有仍被关押的良心犯和政治犯。
民主党党员康嘉铭表示，纪念刘晓波不仅是缅怀一位逝去九年的民主人士，更是传承一种追求自由、尊严与良知的精神。他指出，一个真正文明和强大的国家，不仅体现在经济繁荣和科技发展，更在于是否尊重人权、保障法治、允许人民自由表达不同意见。沉默无法掩盖真相，遗忘无法改写历史，恐惧终将无法战胜良知。
来自北加州雷丁（Redding）的中国民主党党员袁霞，为了参加当天的纪念活动，独自驱车三个半小时来到旧金山。她说，一路上心情十分沉重，因为今天来到这里，不只是缅怀一位逝去九年的民主先行者，更是在守护一种永不熄灭的精神。她认为，刘晓波一生追求民主、自由、人权和法治，一个真正强大的国家，不是建立在经济和科技之上，而是建立在尊重人的尊严、公民权利和平等法治的基础之上。她表示，今天来到这里，不只是为了纪念，更是为了守护，希望刘晓波追求自由、人权与法治的精神能够继续传承。
与会人士向象征刘晓波先生的“空椅子”献上鲜花致敬
活动最后，全体与会者再次来到海边，献上鲜花，凝望着浩瀚的太平洋。有人默默低头祈祷，也有人久久望着远方，不愿离去。
九年前，中共把刘晓波的骨灰撒向大海，希望从此没有墓碑，没有坐标，没有一个能够让人聚集悼念的地方。然而，九年后的今天，人们依然来到海边，因为他们纪念的不仅是一位诺贝尔和平奖得主，更是一位始终坚持自由、人权、法治和良知的思想者。
海浪可以冲散花瓣，却冲不散记忆；风可以吹远骨灰，却吹不灭一个民族对自由与尊严的向往。
正如方政先生所说： “只要有水的地方，就有刘晓波。”
刘晓波虽然离开了，但他的名字仍回响在海风之中，他留下的思想、勇气与信念，也将继续激励后来者，在追求自由、人权、法治与民主的道路上坚定前行。
参加本次活动的民运人士名单：方政，刘静涛，李树青，高应芬，吕小静，李凯，关永杰，郭鉴鑫，周云龙，郭志军，刘忱忱，蒋书清，胡帅，胡丽莉，李小林，张善诚，吴志创，熊朝凤，袁强，张鹏展，康嘉铭，黄晓敏，卢占强，蔡晓丽，袁霞，陈所明，王一凡，李晓艳，姚荣涛，周晓俊，钟然（排名不分先后）
与会人士依次向象征刘晓波先生的“空椅子”前献花致敬（部分照片）
中国民主党文宣部副部长吕小静向象征刘晓波先生的“空椅子”献花致敬
民主党党员胡帅怀抱两个月大的宝宝，向象征刘晓波先生的“空椅子”献花致敬
中国民主党纽瓦克支部主任张善诚向象征刘晓波的“空椅子”献花致敬
与会人士向象征刘晓波先生的“空椅子”献花致敬
中国民主党洛杉矶全委会副主委周云龙向象征刘晓波的“空椅子”献花致敬
编辑：胡丽莉 校对：毛一炜 翻译：戈 冰
Remembering Liu Xiaobo, Defending Freedom
—San Francisco Democracy Activists Commemorate the Ninth Anniversary of Liu Xiaobo’s Passing
On July 12, all attendees gathered for a group photo to jointly commemorate the ninth anniversary of the passing of Mr. Liu Xiaobo. (All photos in this article are provided by Guan Yongjie)
Author: Lyu Xiaojing
Abstract: On July 12, 2026, people from all walks of life in the Bay Area held a memorial event at San Leandro Marina Park to mark the ninth anniversary of Liu Xiaobo’s passing. Through moments of silence, flower-laying, poetry recitations, and speeches, they recalled Liu Xiaobo’s life and expressed their commitment to the values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.
[San Francisco News] The sea breeze blows gently as the tide rises and falls. On the afternoon of July 12, 2026, by the shore of San Leandro Marina Park in the San Francisco Bay Area, there were no noisy drums or stirring music, only bundles of pure white flowers and a group of people standing in quiet contemplation. Democracy activists from the San Francisco Headquarters of the China Democratic Party, the Chinese Democratic Education Foundation, the Fremont Branch of the China Democratic Party, and various circles in the Bay Area gathered here. Through a moment of silence, flower-laying, poetry recitations, and keynote speeches, they deeply commemorated the ninth anniversary of the passing of Mr. Liu Xiaobo, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, prominent Chinese writer, and human rights activist.
Nine years ago, the Chinese Communist Party not only forced Liu Xiaobo to spend the final journey of his life in imprisonment and under strict surveillance, but also scattered his ashes into the sea. There is no tombstone, no cemetery, and no physical landmark to visit and pay respects. To this day, this decision is still viewed by many as a symbolic attempt to erase historical memory.
Yet, today, nine years later, people still come to the seaside. For they believe that memory will not dissipate with the ocean waves, and conscience will not fall silent with the passage of years.
As the event began, all attendees stood solemnly for a one-minute moment of silence in honor of Liu Xiaobo. Following this, participants took turns to respectfully lay flowers before the “empty chair” that symbolized Mr. Liu Xiaobo. At the venue, memorial poems written for Liu Xiaobo by Wu Zuolai, Li Yingqiang, Zou Hangtung, and others were recited, along with excerpts from Liu Xiaobo’s final statement in court, “I Have No Enemies.”
“Freedom of expression is the foundation of human rights, the source of humanity, and the mother of truth. To eliminate freedom of speech, to trample on human rights, and to stifle humanity is to suppress truth.”
Sentence by sentence, these words resonated slowly in the sea breeze, plunging those gathered into a long, reflective silence.
In their opening remarks, hosts Liu Jingtao and Gao Yingfen stated that in mainland China, public commemoration of Liu Xiaobo has long been suppressed. Many citizens have faced detention, sentencing, police summons, or long-term surveillance simply for conducting seaside memorials, offering flowers, or publishing eulogies. From the Jiangmen seaside memorial case in Guangdong to numerous recent incidents where individuals were persecuted for mourning Liu Xiaobo, these events serve as a constant reminder to the world: in China, simply remembering a person who pursued freedom sometimes requires courage in itself. Yet, it is precisely because some refuse to forget and insist on bearing witness that Liu Xiaobo’s spirit of pursuing freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law can be continuously passed down and remain forever alive.
As the keynote guest speaker of the event, Fang Zheng, Chairman of the San Francisco Headquarters of the China Democratic Party and a survivor of the June Fourth Massacre, was the first to speak. He recalled with deep affection that Liu Xiaobo was not only his own teacher, but also a shared spiritual mentor to countless democracy activists. From Tiananmen Square in 1989, to Charter 08, and to the Nobel Peace Prize, Liu Xiaobo consistently adhered to the concepts of peace, rationality, and non-violence; even when imprisoned, he never abandoned his pursuit of freedom and conscience.
Fang Zheng specifically looked back on that unforgettable period of history in the early morning of June 4, 1989. He stated that, in order to prevent more students from shedding blood and sacrificing their lives, Liu Xiaobo and Hou Dejian took the initiative to negotiate with the martial law troops, ultimately facilitating the peaceful evacuation of a large number of students from Tiananmen Square. However, this man, who made the greatest effort to protect human lives, paid the price of a prolonged imprisonment for it and ultimately failed to walk out of prison alive.
Addressing the long-standing external controversy regarding the claim that “Liu Xiaobo did not see the June Fourth Massacre,” Fang Zheng also responded. He explained that what Liu Xiaobo meant at the time was that during his evacuation from Tiananmen Square, he did not personally witness students being massacred. This was a truthful account based on his physical location at the time; it did not mean that the bloody crackdown of June Fourth did not happen, and it should certainly not be taken out of context by the Chinese Communist Party to deny historical facts.
Fang Zheng recalled that less than two hours after he left the square, he witnessed tanks running over students and civilians on West Chang’an Avenue with his own eyes, losing both his legs as a result. He believes that every eyewitness to history only sees a fragment of that history, and Liu Xiaobo himself later reflected upon this. What moved him most was that when Liu Xiaobo learned he had won the Nobel Peace Prize, his very first words were: “This prize is dedicated to all the martyrs of June Fourth.” In Fang Zheng’s view, this not only reflected Liu Xiaobo’s commitment to remembering history, but also demonstrated that he never gave up his respect for truth, conscience, and the deceased.
Fang Zheng stated that the Chinese Communist Party not only took Liu Xiaobo’s life, but also attempted to erase people’s memories of him. He pointed out that the authorities scattering Liu Xiaobo’s ashes into the sea was not merely a way to handle his remains, but an attempt to eliminate a physical coordinate where future generations could pay their respects—without a tombstone, there can be no memorial rituals; without a cemetery, there can be no gatherings; and without a physical entity, it is difficult to form a sustained public memory. Yet, he said with conviction: “Wherever there is water, there is Liu Xiaobo.” This simple sentence spoke to the shared sentiment of countless democracy activists, becoming the most deeply moving statement of the day’s memorial event.
Democratic Party member Li Shuqing choked back tears several times during his speech, casting a solemn atmosphere over the venue.
Compared to rousing slogans, it was the genuine emotions displayed on-site that were most unforgettable. During the speech segment, when Democratic Party member Li Shuqing spoke of how Liu Xiaobo was imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party for eleven years for the sake of freedom, human rights, and democracy—ultimately failing to walk out of prison alive—his voice suddenly choked up. He paused several times, unable to continue speaking for a long moment. Host Liu Jingtao, standing beside him, gently patted his shoulder to comfort him. The venue instantly fell into complete silence, and many attendees silently bowed their heads, their eyes welling with tears. There were no grand words, nor any deliberate dramatization; at this moment, people used silence to express their deepest remembrance of a man of conscience.
Following this, several democracy activists shared their thoughts from different perspectives, focusing on the spiritual legacy left behind by Liu Xiaobo.
Cai Xiaoli, Director of the Henan Working Committee of the National Committee of the China Democratic Party, stated that on this day nine years ago, Liu Xiaobo ultimately passed away from illness under imprisonment and surveillance, becoming an indelible scar on the cause of Chinese democracy and human rights. She pointed out that while tyranny may take a person’s life, it can never stifle the seeds of freedom that Liu Xiaobo sowed with his own hands, nor can it extinguish people’s pursuit of democracy, freedom, and human rights. At the same time, she called on society to maintain sustained attention on human rights defenders and young students who are still facing suppression, noting that under dictatorial rule, the ideals, justice, and futures of many young people are continuously being destroyed. She emphasized that commemorating Liu Xiaobo is meant to make the living more courageous, so that the belief in pursuing freedom can be passed down from generation to generation.
Democratic Party member Li Xiaolin stated that commemorating Liu Xiaobo is not only about remembering an intellectual and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, but more importantly, about reflecting anew on the spiritual wealth he left to Chinese society. He believed that Liu Xiaobo’s long-standing adherence to peace, rationality, and non-violence, along with his advocacy for freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and constitutionalism, continues to inspire those who follow. Confronted with reality, people might ponder how much practical room remains for a peaceful path; yet, whatever the answer may be, maintaining independent thought and never giving up the pursuit of a just society is in itself the best way to commemorate Liu Xiaobo.
Guo Zhijun, Director of the Activity Department of the San Francisco Headquarters of the China Democratic Party, stated that what Liu Xiaobo left behind is not only a Nobel Peace Prize, but more importantly, a spiritual power of adhering to peace, rationality, and non-violence. He pointed out that Liu Xiaobo’s declaration, “I have no enemies and no hatred,” was not a sign of weakness, but rather the courage to still uphold humanity and tolerance despite long-term persecution. Following this, Guo Zhijun recited excerpts of “I Have No Enemies” on-site, once again prompting those present to reflect on freedom of speech, civic responsibility, and the spirit of the rule of law.
Democratic Party member Guo Jianxin stated that Liu Xiaobo was a democracy activist who consistently adhered to peace and advocated for human rights, the rule of law, and political reform, yet suffered long-term imprisonment for these actions and ultimately failed to walk out of prison alive. He believed that Liu Xiaobo’s passing was not only the tragedy of a democratic pioneer, but also reflected the grim reality facing human rights and the rule of law in China. He called on more people to continue striving for democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, and demanded that the Chinese Communist Party release all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners who remain detained.
Democratic Party member Kang Jiaming stated that commemorating Liu Xiaobo is not only about remembering a democracy activist who passed away nine years ago, but more importantly, about passing down a spirit of pursuing freedom, dignity, and conscience. He pointed out that a truly civilized and powerful nation is demonstrated not only by economic prosperity and technological development, but even more so by whether it respects human rights, guarantees the rule of law, and allows its people to freely express differing opinions. Silence cannot conceal the truth, forgetting cannot rewrite history, and fear will ultimately fail to defeat conscience.
Yuan Xia, a member of the China Democratic Party from Redding in Northern California, drove three and a half hours alone to San Francisco in order to attend the memorial event that day. She said that her heart was extremely heavy all along the way, because coming here today was not just to remember a democratic pioneer who passed away nine years ago, but also to guard a spirit that will never be extinguished. She believed that Liu Xiaobo spent his entire life pursuing democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law; a truly powerful nation is not built upon economy and technology, but is instead established on the foundation of respecting human dignity, civil rights, and the equal rule of law. She stated that coming here today was not only to commemorate, but also to guard, hoping that Liu Xiaobo’s spirit of pursuing freedom, human rights, and the rule of law can continue to be passed down.
Attendees laid flowers before the “empty chair” symbolizing Mr. Liu Xiaobo to pay their respects.
At the end of the event, all attendees returned to the seaside, laid flowers, and gazed out at the vast Pacific Ocean. Some bowed their heads in silent prayer, while others looked into the far distance for a long time, reluctant to leave.
Nine years ago, the Chinese Communist Party scattered Liu Xiaobo’s ashes into the sea, hoping that from then on there would be no tombstone, no coordinate, and no place where people could gather to mourn. Yet, today, nine years later, people still come to the seaside, because they commemorate not only a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, but also a thinker who consistently upheld freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and conscience.
The ocean waves can scatter flower petals, but they cannot scatter memory; the wind can blow the ashes far away, but it cannot extinguish a nation’s yearning for freedom and dignity.
Just as Mr. Fang Zheng said: “Wherever there is water, there is Liu Xiaobo.”
Although Liu Xiaobo has departed, his name still resonates in the sea breeze, and the ideas, courage, and convictions he left behind will continue to inspire those who follow to march firmly on the road of pursuing freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and democracy.
List of democracy activists who participated in this event: Fang Zheng, Liu Jingtao, Li Shuqing, Gao Yingfen, Lyu Xiaojing, Li Kai, Guan Yongjie, Guo Jianxin, Zhou Yunlong, Guo Zhijun, Liu Chenchen, Jiang Shuqing, Hu Shuai, Hu Lili, Li Xiaolin, Zhang Shancheng, Wu Zhichuang, Xiong Chaofeng, Yuan Qiang, Zhang Pengzhan, Kang Jiaming, Huang Xiaomin, Lu Zhanqiang, Cai Xiaoli, Yuan Xia, Chen Suoming, Wang Yifan, Li Xiaoyan, Yao Rongtao, Zhou Xiaojun, Zhong Ran (names listed in no particular order)
Attendees took turns to lay flowers in front of the “empty chair” symbolizing Mr. Liu Xiaobo to pay their respects (selected photos)
Lyu Xiaojing, Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department of the China Democratic Party, laid flowers before the “empty chair” symbolizing Mr. Liu Xiaobo to pay her respects.
Democratic Party member Hu Shuai, holding his two-month-old baby in his arms, laid flowers before the “empty chair” symbolizing Mr. Liu Xiaobo to pay his respects.
Zhang Shancheng, Director of the Newark Branch of the China Democratic Party, laid flowers before the “empty chair” symbolizing Liu Xiaobo to pay his respects.
Attendees laid flowers before the “empty chair” symbolizing Mr. Liu Xiaobo to pay their respects.
Zhou Yunlong, Vice Chairman of the Los Angeles National Committee of the China Democratic Party, laid flowers before the “empty chair” symbolizing Liu Xiaobo to pay his respects.
Editor: Hu Lili Proofreader: Mao Yiwei Translator: Ge Bing
