National Captive Nations Week

The ¡No Che Noche rally crowd stands in solidarity on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on July 19.

Each July, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC) marks Captive Nations Week, first observed in 1959 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, by recognizing those peoples and nations suffering under communist and other totalitarian regimes.

The week began early with the tragic death of Chinese dissident and Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo. We held a candlelight vigil at our Memorial statue on July 17 to commemorate his life, which inspired so many Chinese to stand up for democratic reform.

On July 19, VOC honored slain Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá by organizing a ¡No Che! Noche rally on the steps of the US Capitol. We passed out t-shirts with Che Guevara’s face marked out to symbolize his brutality, and reflected on the legacy of Payá, a true Cuban hero. Two hundred people joined us at the Capitol, and 3,500 tuned in online. Ofelia Acevedo, Oswaldo Payá’s widow; Enrique Altimari, a Venezuelan pro-democracy advocate; and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) delivered remarks during the rally.

“Millions of more victims live ignored by many today. You are called to be a voice for them,” said Acevedo.

During the week, VOC engaged with Members of Congress to build bipartisan support for the Captive Nations. Ofelia, Enrique, and Cuban-American activist John Suarez met with Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) to discuss how the US can help the people of Cuba and Venezuela.

Reps. Dennis Ross (R-FL) and Ros-Lehtinen delivered speeches on the House floor on July 20 in support of the captive people’s aspirations for freedom.

VOC also hosted a public phone conference and private luncheon where activists reported on the ongoing struggles for freedom in China, Cuba, Hong Kong, Laos, North Korea, occupied Eastern Ukraine, Crimea, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

Dr. Lee Ae-ran, the first North Korean defector to earn a doctoral degree and run for the Republic of Korea’s National assembly, visited our office on Capitol Hill to brief staff on her work to raise awareness about the strategic importance of the Korean Peninsula.

Millions of people around the world still live under brutal, repressive communist regimes. During Captive Nations Week, we united Americans in solidarity with them.