June 4 - DC Rally at China Embassy- Remembering 1989 Tiananmen Square Freedom Fighters

http://www.realcourage.org/2009/05/june-4-rally/

On June 4, in remembrance of 20th anniversary of those who died calling for democracy in Tiananmen Square on June 3 and 4, 1989, we will hold a rally in the park in front of the Communist China Embassy in Washington DC.

This June 4 rally at the Communist China embassy is sponsored by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) organization. Our plan is to hold this rally from 1 to 3 PM ET on Thursday June 4. In addition, see this link on other events.

At the June 4 rally at the Communist China embassy, we will read out the names of those known individuals killed in the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, and we will be continue to be a voice for those who have called for democracy and freedom in China. We will remember those who stood for freedom against tanks, soldiers, and even against their own government.

Finally, we will not claim, as some do, that we should only look to the "progress" in Communist China while human beings continue to suffer under oppression. We will not be silent while our fellow human beings continued to be denied freedom and liberty. We will not be silent while there are an estimated 1,045 forced labor camps holding an estimated 6.8 million prisoners, and while Communist China continues its inhuman practices of organ harvesting of prisoners, the forced abortions, and the affront to the dignity of human bodies by selling and displaying human corpses.

We will continue to speak for those who don't have the freedom to speak. We will continue to tell the Communist China government "Long Live Democracy!" and "Free China Now!" We will continue to stand in defense of humanity's universal human rights, just like some of us did in front of the Communist China embassy on June 4, 1989, 20 years ago. Our love and support of our fellow human beings must be consistent and steadfast in the face of all anti-freedom ideologies.

For more information, contact:
realpublic@earthlink.net

Details and Logistics:

Location:
The Embassy of the People's Republic of China
3505 International Place, NW
Washington, DC 20008
(Important note - this is not where the old embassy used to be - it is a new location for those who have not been there in a while.)

Planned Rally Date and Times:
Thursday, June 4 - 1 to 3 PM ET

Rally Site:

We will be at the red brick walkway in the small "park" directly across the street from the Communist China embassy. If we get a significant turnout, we may be going up the stairs at that park to accommodate individuals. See the image below taken from this walkway in the "park" that shows where we are relative to the Communist China embassy.

"Park" Walkway in Front of Communist China Embassy

Getting There and Travel Logistics:

It is recommended that rally attendees come by the Washington subway ("metro") system to the Van Ness-UDC metro stop and walk over to the embassy. The parking near the embassies specifically states that such parking is by permit only. However, there are public parking facilities on nearby Connecticut Avenue NW and Veazey Terrace NW a block north of the Van Ness-UDC metro stop as an alternative. Details on the subway and parking options are provided in the following paragraphs.

Getting There by Subway

Take the DC subway red line (subway trip planner) to the Van Ness-UDC metro stop. For context, the Van-Ness UDC metro stop is three stops north of Dupont Circle and two stops north of the Zoo. So it is just a few minutes away from the center of the subway, Metro Center. Once arriving at the Van Ness-UDC metro stop, then following these walking directions:

VAN NESS-UDC METRO STATION to INTERNATIONAL PL NW:

1. Exit station through WEST SIDE OF CONNETICUT AVE NW & VEAZY ST entrance.
2. Walk approx. 1 block SE on Connecticut Ave NW.
3. Turn right on Van Ness St NW.
4. Walk approx. 1 block W on Van Ness St NW.
5. Turn left on International Dr NW.
6. Walk a short distance S on International Dr NW.
7. Turn right on International Pl NW.
8. Walk a short distance W on International Pl NW.

The Communist China embassy is in basically a courtyard that links International Drive and International Place together. You will see other embassies as you walk, and you will see the Communist China embassy notable by its distinct architecture and the red flag with yellow stars of Communist China.

Getting There by Car:

The embassy "courtyard" of International Drive and International Place can be reached by driving towards Connecticut Avenue NW, then turning onto Van Ness Street NW, and then from Van Ness Street NW you are able to turn onto either International Place or International Drive. The embassy address is 3505 International Place, NW, in Washington DC. Remember the parking by the embassy is by permit only, as previously mentioned.

See this Mapquest view of China Embassy and nearby streets

In terms of parking, we found that if go up Connecticut about half a block from the Van Ness-UDC metro stop (4201 Connecticut Avenue), that there is parking on the right of Connecticut Avenue going North when you turn right onto Veazey Terrace NW. There is a public parking lot called the Van Ness Center parking lot that is next to a Giant food store. The Van Ness Center lot is run by Landmark Parking, and it shows an address of 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, but my GPS said that it was 3046 Veazey Terrace NW. (There is also another lot advertised on that block of Connecticut Avenue next to an "Embassy Cleaners.")

Walking back down the Connecticut Avenue from the parking lot exit, you will see a Pizza Hut, Jerry's Sub shop and Bank of America on the corner. Then basically follow the walking directions from the Van Ness-UDC Metro stop above.

Assembly Plan and Coordination with Authorities:
Washington DC Metropolitan Police Dept received our Assembly Plan on April 10; we have confirmed this. They have stated thus far they have no problem with our assembly plan. Their official rules are to notify us no later than 4 days before an event. We have also contacted the U.S. Secret Service to make them aware of our detailed plans.

Other Events:
In addition, there are other remembrances of the Tiananmen Square massacre that we will attending and promoting, including a candlelight vigil on Saturday night May 30 (7-9) at the Washington Monument in Washington DC sponsored by the Remember64.org group (see also event program). In addition, the Laogai Foundation has informational events on June 2 (9 AM-2 PM) and June 4 (10:30 AM), and there is also a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night June 3 at the Victims of Communism memorial starting at 7 PM.

Note to Other Human Rights Groups:
– We have an assembly plan from 12 Noon to 7 PM ET, and we can accommodate other times beyond the core 1 to 3 PM rally time if some are interested.

For more information, contact:
realpublic@earthlink.net

DC: Tiananmen Square Candlelight Vigil May 30 and Other June 2, 3, 4 Events

http://www.realcourage.org/2009/05/dc-tiananmen-events/

Activities remembering the 20th year since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre that we will attending and promoting include:

– Saturday night, May 30, 7-9 PM: a candlelight vigil at the Washington Monument in Washington DC sponsored by the Remember64.org group (see also event program). The Washington Monument is nearby the Smithsonian Metro subway stop (Blue/Orange) line, just a short walk away. The following are walking directions to the Washington Monument from the Smithsonian Metro subway stop:

SMITHSONIAN METRO STATION to WASHINGTON MONUMENT:

1. Exit station through 12TH & JEFFERSON (THE MALL) entrance.
2. Walk approx. 2 blocks W on Jefferson Dr SW.
3. Turn right on 14th St NW.
4. Walk approx. 1 block N on 14th St NW.

– Tuesday June 2 and Thursday June 4 events sponsored by the Laogai Foundation :
— On June 2 (9 AM-2 PM), the Laogai Foundation has a panel discussion at the National Endowment for Democracy, Suite 800, 1025 F Street NW, Washington DC 20004 . For the Tuesday June 2 event, the Laogai Foundation asks you to RSVP by email to laogai@laogai.org or by calling 202-408-8300 by May 29. It is about two blocks away from the Metro Center subway stop.
— On June 4 (10:30 AM), Laogai Foundation has press conference on Capitol Hill at the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer, 50 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC 2004. No RSVP is necessary. See this link for Capitol Complex map, streets, and metro stops near Rayburn "HOB."

– Wednesday night, June 3 - there is a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night June 3 at the Victims of Communism memorial starting at 7 PM. The Victims of Communism memorial is in Washington DC - at the intersection of Massachusetts Ave., NW, and New Jersey Ave., NW. See the following web link for directions to the Victims of Communism memorial. Per the web site, "It is just a couple of blocks from Union Station. You can take the Metro (Red line) to Union Station. Or if you drive, you can park at Union Station and walk easily to the statue. It is a couple blocks northwest from Union Station and on the left side of Massachusetts. Ave." See also this web link with map of the area

– Thursday afternoon, June 4 - Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) rally from 1-3 PM at the China Embassy at 3505 International Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008. The rally will take place in a "park" walkway across the street for the embassy. The R.E.A.L. website has details on driving, subway, and walking logistics to this event. The subway is recommended, and after exiting the Van Ness-UDC metro stop (Red Line), follow these walking directions:

VAN NESS-UDC METRO STATION to INTERNATIONAL PL NW: