Authored by Catherine Yang via The Epoch Times,
Despite facing protests and criticism from human rights activists and legislators, Philadelphia raised the flag of communist China at City Hall on Sept. 30.
The flag-raising event, co-organized by a group with ties to the Chinese regime, was held to commemorate the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) National Day.
October 1 marks the day the CCP declared its rule after a viciously fought civil war. Over the next few decades, the regime would become responsible for more deaths than both World Wars combined.
The Tibetan Association of Philadelphia organized a protest at the event, demanding the immediate removal of the flag.
“The red flag of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not a symbol of culture; it is the emblem of a brutal, totalitarian regime,” stated Tsering Jurme, president of the local association.
“This regime is responsible for the persecution and murder of millions, the destruction of thousands of monasteries, and the ongoing cultural genocide of my people in Tibet and the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. To fly their flag here in our Philadelphia city hall is to legitimize terror and betray the dissidents who seek freedom.”
Members of the Overseas Chinese Association at the flag-raising event commemorating the founding of communist China in front of City Hall in Philadelphia on Sept. 30, 2025. The Epoch Times
This is not the first time Philadelphia, where the U.S. Constitution was signed, has raised the five-star flag of communist China. Similar events took place in 2019, and Boston and San Francisco also participated. New York City followed suit in 2023.
A CCP-linked group had previously raised the flag in 2005 in Los Angeles to show support for “reunifying” China and Taiwan. Editorials in local publications noted that the last time this flag was raised, it was torn down immediately by anti-CCP onlookers.
The decision to raise the flag drew criticism from state and federal lawmakers when it was announced.
Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano called it a “terrible” idea to raise a flag representing the CCP.
“Raising a red flag over Philadelphia with a star in the corner is meaningless, forgetting the Cultural Revolution and then almost 100 million people killed in the various persecutions over the years when the communists took over,” Mastriano expressed.
Philadelphia United Chinese Coalition, an association that has hosted CCP United Front groups in Philadelphia, at the flag-raising event in front of City Hall on Sept. 30, 2025. The Epoch Times
Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) denounced the decision as “shameful.”
“The cradle of liberty flying the banner of tyranny,” he stated on Instagram. “This is the regime that jails dissidents, censors speech, and wages genocide against its own people. And now its flag will wave over the birthplace of American independence?”
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chair of the House Select Committee on the CCP, wrote to the mayor urging a reversal of the decision.
“The Five-Star Red Flag, embodying the totalitarian government led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), represents a regime that is persecuting spiritual people of all faiths, including the genocide of Uyghur Muslims,” the letter reads.
Moolenaar also highlighted concerning ties between Philadelphia and the CCP.
Philadelphia is currently in a sister cities partnership with Tianjin in China, a relationship that lawmakers have flagged as potentially advancing CCP’s strategic goals.
The city is home to the Pennsylvania United Chinese Coalition (PUCC) and Greater Philadelphia Fujian Hometown Association, co-organizers of the flag-raising event.
Chinese “hometown” organizations, originally formed as immigrant associations, are now part of the CCP’s United Front network, working to influence overseas opinions on the regime.
PUCC has hosted United Front groups and openly discussed advancing CCP interests, raising concerns over their ties with the regime.
The mayor’s office did not respond to inquiries by publication time.
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