Friend,
I'm writing to you today as the Director of the Dissident Project—and as someone deeply moved and outraged by the recent harassment faced by one of our own: Frances Hui.
Frances began her activism as a student in Hong Kong, where she made international headlines in 2019 with her bold declaration, “I am from Hong Kong, not China.” Her fearless stand against Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s autonomy made her a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement. After moving to the United States for her safety, Frances became the first Hongkonger granted political asylum here. Today, she serves as Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, working to protect those at risk and hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable on the global stage.
Last week, Hong Kong’s National Security Police summoned Frances’s parents for questioning. Her father was interrogated for over two hours, her mother for nearly one. They were not targeted for their own actions—but because their daughter dares to speak out from the safety of the United States. Police asked invasive questions about Frances’s work, travel, and daily life, even implying that her advocacy might be "funded by foreign forces." Most chillingly, they urged her parents to pressure her into silence, warning that she could face charges under the draconian National Security Law.
This was a blatant attempt to intimidate a peaceful advocate for democracy through fear and family coercion. But Frances will not be silenced—and neither will we.
The Dissident Project stands firmly with Frances and her family. Her courage inspires students across the country and reminds us of the personal cost so many dissidents pay simply for telling the truth.
You can read more in my recent piece for Independent Women’s Forum: Frances Hui Isn’t From China: One Woman’s Fight for the Hong Kong Identity.
Since joining Young Voices' Dissident Project as one of our inaugural speakers, Frances has brought her powerful story to classrooms across America. We've worked closely with her to craft a compelling message, refine her public speaking skills, and connect her with student audiences eager to learn from her experience.
Last year, we had the privilege of coordinating Frances’s national speaking tour alongside The Hong Konger—a powerful documentary produced by the Acton Institute about imprisoned media tycoon and freedom fighter Jimmy Lai. At every stop, Frances helped audiences connect the film’s themes to the real-life consequences of standing up to authoritarianism. Her presence made the stakes of Hong Kong’s fight for freedom tangible and urgent.
Frances’s voice is a beacon for those fighting for liberty—and a reminder that authoritarian regimes fear nothing more than the truth, freely spoken.
To Frances: We stand with you. Your courage motivates us, and your story continues to inspire people across the world.
Warmly,
Grace Bydalek
Director of the Dissident Project
