By The Epoch Times | Created at 2026-08-16 23:56:53 | Updated at 2026-08-17 00:09:56
15 minutes ago
Geng He, wife of Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, members of the San Francisco branch of the China Democracy Party, representatives of the China Democratic Education Foundation, and Falun Gong practitioners held a “Where Is Gao Zhisheng?” rally outside the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, on Aug. 13, 2026, marking the ninth anniversary of Gao’s forced disappearance. Lin Ruoshui/The Epoch Times
Supporters of Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng gathered outside the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco on Aug. 13, marking nine years since he was forcibly disappeared and demanding that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) free him and stop persecuting his family.
Gao was a prominent Chinese lawyer. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times and is widely known for defending religious freedom in China.
Gao first drew widespread attention for defending people persecuted by the CCP, including practitioners of Falun Gong, a spiritual practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The CCP launched a nationwide persecution campaign against Falun Gong in 1999, with practitioners subjected to detention, torture, and forced ideological reeducation.
In 2005, Gao sent an open letter to China’s leaders calling for an end to the torture and inhumane treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. He and his family were subsequently placed under constant police surveillance.
Later that year, after Gao issued a second open letter concerning Falun Gong-related legal cases, the regime then shut down his law firm. He was arrested in 2006 and sentenced to three years in prison.
After his release, Gao continued advocating for religious freedom, representing Falun Gong practitioners and members of China’s underground Christian churches. He also authored the books “Unwavering Convictions” and “2016 Human Rights Report for China” and drafted a proposed constitution for a future China.
In January 2009, Gao’s wife, Geng He, and their two children escaped from China with the assistance of underground faith networks.
The rally calling for Gao’s release was jointly organized by the San Francisco branch of the China Democracy Party and the China Democratic Education Foundation. Geng joined Chinese pro-democracy groups and Falun Gong practitioners in calling for information about her husband’s whereabouts and physical condition.
She said she simply hopes that Gao can be freed and return home.
Li Jin, a Falun Gong practitioner and host at Sound of Hope Radio, said Gao had simply done what a lawyer should do—“speak for the weak [and] speak out for people who have been wronged.”
Li said Gao had investigated the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, interviewed practitioners, and spoken publicly on their behalf when they were being persecuted and portrayed negatively by CCP propaganda.
“Nine years have passed, but our questioning will not disappear, our memories will not disappear, and our demand for the truth will certainly not disappear,” Li said.
Chen Chuangchuang, a practicing attorney in the United States and a member of the China Democracy Party, said that Gao’s Christian faith was closely connected to his longstanding commitment to defending vulnerable people.
Chen said that more people need to know about Gao’s resistance to the CCP’s oppression.
Lin Ruoshui contributed to this report.
