On Saturday, November 6 from 1:00-3:30 pm CDT, the Victims of Communism-St. Louis Commission (VOC-STL) hosted a free film screening and immersive event designed to engage attendees with the lived history of communism around the world. This third annual event continued VOC’s long tradition of recognizing Victims of Communism Memorial Day. From the Soviet gulags to the present-day suffering of the Cuban and Chinese people, the history of communism is one that has resulted in more than 100 million deaths worldwide. By looking closely at this terrible history, this event commemorated the victims of communism, recognized its survivors, and encouraged the pursuit of freedom of those still living under totalitarian regimes.
Powerful documentary shorts, blended with panel presentations from local experts and witnesses of communism, provided historic and personal facts about the implementation, and destruction of Marxism around the world.
Our speakers included:
-The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in St. Louis, Dr. Wojciech L. Golik;
-VOC-STL witness and Voices for Freedom coordinator Lena Fish (Soviet Union);
-VOC-STL witness Dr. Juan Torres (Venezuela);
-VOC-STL witness and Cuba Specialist Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo;
-VOC-STL witness Karen Tian (China); and
-VOC-STL witness Sam Geng (China)
