Protesters Rail Against Xi Jinping Policies Near White House During Trump Visit
Demonstrators voiced concerns over human rights in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong, and tensions over Taiwan, as President Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
President Donald Trump offered Chinese leader Xi Jinping a personal airport greeting, a tour of his new helipad, and a candlelit dinner during his state visit. However, protests against Xi's policies continued outside the White House throughout Thursday.
The demonstrators represented a variety of causes, including demands for religious autonomy and greater freedoms in Tibet, Hong Kong, and the Xinjiang region. Others called for Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, to remain self-governed.
Protests against visiting Chinese leaders are not new, but Xi has become a focal point for criticism due to his tightening control over Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and the Chinese military's assertive stance toward Taiwan. Chants of "Xi Jinping has got to go" and "Shame! Shame on Xi Jinping!" grew louder as the state dinner ceremony commenced.
The protesters gathered behind a fence in Lafayette Park, waving flags and holding signs. Many waved Tibetan flags and called for a "Free Tibet." Others displayed flags with Chinese characters for "freedom" and "democracy," alongside signs reading "Keep Taiwan Free" and "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times," a slogan prominent during Hong Kong's mass protests in 2019.
Anjali Tenzin Sonn, 17, participated in a protest calling for a free Tibet, motivated by stories of her mother's escape from Tibet and her grandfather's imprisonment. "I hope Emperor Xi won’t remain in power," said Zhang Na, a 31-year-old worker from Los Angeles who traveled to the protest. "I hope he can give Chinese people real freedom — freedom of speech and religion."
Yang Fan, a Christian, attended with his family, holding a sign advocating for "freedom of religion" and an "end to dictatorship." He expressed a desire to advocate for Christians in China and called for the release of those imprisoned for their religious beliefs.
"I would like to see the liberation of Hong Kong and the complete restoration of its freedoms," said Melody Calkins, 30, who spent part of her childhood in Hong Kong.
On the other side of the city, approximately 200 supporters of Xi gathered outside his hotel. Waving Chinese and American flags, they chanted "Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome" and displayed banners expressing support for his visit.