The Honorable Adam Schiff
U.S. Congressman
2447 Rayburn HOB
Washington D.C. 20515
RE: Request for meeting with Mr. Yang Haihan, U.S. Citizen. Forced confiscation, eviction, and demolition of family property by the Chinese Government.
Dear Congressman Schiff:
Initiatives for China is dedicated to advancing the peaceful transition to democracy in China through education, empowerment of Chinese citizens, and building trust and cooperation among the diverse ethnic and religious groups under the rule of the Chinese government. Our activities are funded, in part, by the National Endowment for Democracy and through private donations.
I am writing on behalf of your constituent, Mr. Yang Haihan. Mr. Yang is a U.S. Citizen who resides at 319 N. Huntington Ave., Apartment #C, Monterey Park, CA 91754
That attached statement by Mr.Yang is an objective but personal account of the Chinese government’s practice of forcible evictions of its citizens without regard for compensation or due process. As the enclosed New York Times article reveals, the situation with theYang family parallels the tens of thousands of Chinese citizens who have been dispossessed to clear 3 square miles of land for the Shanghai Expo, which opened on May 1. Exhibitions from international corporations and organizations, including the United Nations, now sit on the pulverized remains of the homes and businesses of Mr. Yang and his fellow citizens. This practice of forced eviction is a common occurrence in China. More than 300,000 citizens of Beijing were forcibly evicted in the name of Olympic “beautification projects.”
In an effort to appeal to the conscience of the world, Mr. Yang has joined “The Sparrow Initiative” with two other victims of forced evictions. These three courageous individuals are now camped out in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Mr. Yang has been there every day since May 8.
On behalf of Mr. Yang, I request an urgent meeting to fully brief you on this situation and to explore how your office might assist Mr. Wang in his struggle for justice. Accompanying Mr. Yang will be two other victims of forced eviction, myself, and our President, Harvard Fellow, Dr. Yang Jianli, who will interpret and provide the requisite background information you may need to put this situation in context.
I look forward to your prompt and positive reply.
Sincerely,
Initiatives for China (公民力量 Gong Min Li Liang)
Jim Geheran
Director
jgeheran@initiativesforchina.org