The Power of Truth: Tom Wong and the San Francisco Screening of ‘State Organs
On July 20, 2025, I found myself among nearly 100 attendees at the San Francisco Downtown Library, gathered for the screening of “State Organs,” a documentary that exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) systematic harvesting of organs from Falun Gong practitioners. I attended not only as a concerned community member, but as someone who has seen firsthand the importance of standing up for human rights.
Shock and Disbelief
The film, directed by Peabody Award winner Raymond Zhang, was a harrowing 75-minute journey through testimonies and eyewitness accounts. As the lights came up, the room was heavy with shock. I was interviewed by The Epoch Times shortly after the screening, and I found myself grappling for words: the atrocities depicted were not just an attack on Falun Gong practitioners, but a violation of the fundamental rights of all people.
More Than a Chinese Issue
What struck me most was the film’s reminder that persecution for beliefs is a threat to everyone. The CCP’s crackdown on Falun Gong is not just a Chinese problem—it is an assault on the universal values of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. “When the CCP persecutes Falun Gong, it is actually persecuting each and every one of us,” I told the reporter. “This behavior is a great atrocity against humanity.”
The Urgency of Action
The screening was organized by the San Francisco Falun Dafa Association, who hoped to spread awareness beyond the Chinese community. The response was overwhelming—church groups expressed interest in showing the film, and audience members spoke passionately about the need for education and legislative action. During the Q&A, the urgency was palpable. We discussed the Falun Gong Protection Act in Congress, and I emphasized the importance of signing petitions and urging leaders like President Trump to act. “He has the ability to put pressure on China to release political prisoners and expose this matter,” I said. “This persecution has lasted too long, and too many people have lost their lives simply because of their beliefs. It must be stopped immediately.”
A Call to the International Community
The film’s impact extended beyond the Chinese or American audience. Attendees from Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Myanmar, and the Philippines spoke movingly about their own experiences with authoritarianism and the global implications of the CCP’s actions. One Japanese-American attendee expressed a desire to bring the documentary to her community, while a Kenyan student and a Burmese filmmaker reflected on the universality of the struggle for religious freedom.
Hope in Collective Action
As the event drew to a close, I felt a mix of sorrow and hope. The sorrow came from the stories of those who have suffered; the hope, from a room full of people determined to act. I left the library convinced that awareness is the first step to change. By telling the truth, supporting protective legislation, and refusing to remain silent, we can honor the victims and help end these crimes.
The struggle against the CCP’s atrocities is not just about Falun Gong, nor just about China. It is about safeguarding humanity’s conscience. As I said that afternoon, “No one should be persecuted for their beliefs.” This is a message I will continue to share, in the hope that it inspires others to stand up for justice.
We invite you to watch our insightful podcast episode, where we delve deeper into the powerful stories and urgent issues highlighted in the “State Organs” documentary.Don’t miss this important conversation—watch the podcast now on YouTube and be part of the movement for truth and justice.
For the original event coverage, see Epoch Times.
