Leader of Chinese democratic movement to speak at Rockford College Nov. 29

Yang Jainli at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, June 3, 1989.

Online Staff Report

Yang Jainli, Ph.D., a leader of the Chinese democratic movement and co-author of a constitution for a democratic China, will be speaking at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Rockford College Clark Arts Center in Maddox Theatre.

Dr. Yang was part of the protest for democratic reform in China at Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, when Chinese military forces attacked and killed protesters. Because of his involvement in the protest, Dr. Yang was banned from China by the Chinese government. Dr. Yang did attempt to return to China, and he was caught in his attempt to re-enter and was jailed for five years. He was released in 2007.

Dr. Yang has since spoken to audiences world-wide regarding Chinese democracy and is frequently consulted by the national media for his views. He has also earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from The University of California, Berkley, and a second Ph.D. from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required. For more information, contact the Rockford College Box Office at (815) 226-4100.

The talk is park of the college’s Forum Series. To see the Fall 2011 series line-up, visit http://www.rockford.edu/?page=ForumSeries.