Campaign Launched to Support Forced Abortion Opponent Chen

International   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Oct 31, 2011   |   1:00PM   |   Washington, DC

Human rights campaigners have launched a new campaign to support Chen Guangcheng, the blind attorney who has stood up to the family planning officials in China who have enforced the one-child policy with forced abortions and sterilizations.

In China, in response to two beatings Chen and his family have endured and concerns that the activist may have been killed, citizens have started a sunglasses campaign to show solidarity with Chen. Because Chen always wears sunglasses, supporters inside China have been taking photos of themselves wearing sunglasses and posting it on a website.

Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, is starting a similar campaign for people across the glob to support the Chinese activist. Chen will turn 40 on November 12 and, in his honor, Women’s Rights Without Frontiers is launching a Sunglasses Freedom Campaign.

“The way the Chinese Communist Party has jailed, tortured and starved this innocent blind man is nothing short of hideous,” Littlejohn told LifeNews. “Chen is one of the greatest heroes alive today. He is the very heart and soul of China — the conscience of the nation. He has come to symbolize the brutal truth about human rights in China.”

Littlejohn added, “We are launching this international Sunglasses Freedom Campaign to support the brave people inside China who are putting their lives on the line to press for Chen’s freedom. There is a surge of people trying to visit his village, even though they know that they will be beaten and detained. Every one of them is a hero.”

“We’d like to get photos from all over the world to encourage the Chinese people and send a message to the Chinese Communist Party: People from every land are deeply concerned about Chen and want him to be free,” she said.

Littlejohn told LifeNews that human rights campaigners have not received any new confirmation on whether Chen has been killed, but want to proceed with the campaign regardless so Chinese officials know he has worldwide support.

“If the Chinese Communist Party thinks that it can crush all opposition by killing Chen Guangcheng, they have underestimated the spirit of the Chinese people,” she said. Chen has given up absolutely everything for the people of China — especially the women, who are victims of forced abortion. If Chen is dead, I have no doubt that the people of China will rise up in outrage. The CCP may find itself with national a citizens’ movement on their hands.”

Chen exposed the fact that there were 130,000 forced abortions and sterilizations in Linyi County, China, in 2005.  For that he has been jailed, tortured, and denied medical treatment.  He is now languishing, near death, under house arrest. 

Support the campaign here.