Roll Call of Nations 2025

On April 24th, representatives from 16 embassies, 3 delegations, and 41 ethnic and human rights organizations gathered together with leaders of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation for the 18th Annual Roll Call of Nations Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Victims of Communism Memorial on Capitol Hill.

The event began with a prayer delivered by Margaret G. Kibben, the Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. Roll Call attendees were then welcomed by VOC’s President and CEO, Dr. Eric Patterson, before opening remarks by Dr. Elizabeth Edwards Spalding, Chairman of the VOC Board, who explored why we must continue to fight for those still oppressed under communism today.

This year, VOC was honored to be joined by Professor Chen Guangcheng, Chinese human rights activist, lawyer, former prisoner of conscience, and VOC’s 2015 Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom awardee.

Professor Guangcheng spoke on his harrowing activism for the voiceless in communist China, and his subsequent persecution for seeking justice. Since escaping the CCP, he continues his fight against the deadliest ideology the world has ever known.