“The CCP Took the Mask Off”: Transnational Repression in America — From Falun Gong Persecution to Shen Yun Threats

Date: July 21 2026
Event: Human Rights Religious Freedom Event
Interviewee: Mr. Tozzi, Former Staffer at the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Executive Summary
In a recent interview at the Human Rights Religious Freedom event, Mr. Tozzi, a veteran advocate for religious freedom with extensive experience in the U.S. Congress, discussed the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other minority groups by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The conversation highlighted the CCP's long-standing totalitarian nature, the growing threat of transnational repression on U.S. soil, and the urgent need for legislative action against forced organ harvesting.

Key Highlights
The Illusion of the "Reform Era": Mr. Tozzi argued that the CCP's supposed reform era in the 1990s was a deception. He noted that the violent crackdown on Falun Gong in 1999 occurred during this period, proving the regime's continuous totalitarian nature.

Failed U.S. Engagement Strategy: Admitting China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) was described as a "terrible mistake." The CCP utilized a strategy of Man Tian Guo Hai ("deceiving heaven to cross the ocean") to exploit international trade, steal intellectual property, and use forced labor to maintain an unfair economic advantage.

Transnational Repression in the U.S.: The CCP actively targets individuals on American soil, disregarding U.S. sovereignty. Examples include bomb threats against Shen Yun performances at the Kennedy Center, the destruction of property at the Liberty Sculpture Park in California, and physical attacks on students at universities like Columbia, Harvard, and Berklee.

Broadening the Coalition: The CCP's victims are not limited to one group. Mr. Tozzi emphasized that Falun Gong practitioners must make common cause with Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and average Han Chinese, as the ultimate victims of the CCP are the Chinese people themselves.

Legislative Action on Organ Harvesting: While federal bills like the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Bill are pending in the Senate, states like Texas are leading the way by targeting medical insurance payments for illicit organ transplants. International allies like Israel, Italy, and Taiwan have already implemented similar successful legislation.

Actionable Recommendations Discussed
Educate Local Law Enforcement: Federal, state, and local law enforcement must be educated on the specific threats posed by CCP rhetoric and agents. Language barriers within immigrant communities must be bridged so victims can report harassment safely.

Pass and Enforce Legislation: Enact pending federal legislation such as the Transnational Repression Policy Act.

Target Financial Pathways: Utilize state-level regulations to prevent medical insurance from covering illicit organ transplants performed abroad.