In this two part episode, Dr. William Saunders’ interviews Raleigh Adams, a first-place winner of the 2025 Human Rights Essay Contest at the Catholic University of America. Raleigh discusses her award-winning essay on the grave moral, cultural, and political threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to American democracy.
The conversation also highlights the depth, clarity, and accessibility of her work, which draws on both Catholic social teaching and broader principles of human dignity and the common good. Listeners will also hear about related programs at the university, including the Center for Human Rights and its master’s program in human rights.
Click here to read Raleigh Adams' Award Winning Essay: https://humanrights.catholic.edu/renewing-the-moral-ecology-of-freedom/
Part 2 coming soon!
Thank you for your support this year!
In this message to listeners during the Christmas season, Chen Guangcheng shares a reminder that political prisoners in China remain unjustly detained and separated from their families. He calls on the international community to continue advocating for human rights, freedom, and democracy in China and around the world.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
In this episode of The Barefoot Lawyer Reports on China, Chen Guangcheng discusses breaking developments in the case of Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai.
The episode examines Lai’s sentencing to life in prison, the political use of law by the Chinese Communist Party, and what the case reveals about freedom, democracy, and the rule of law in Hong Kong. Chen also highlights a notable shift in public reaction inside mainland China, where online support for Jimmy Lai briefly surged before being censored.
Check out our interview with Fr. Robert Sirico: https://youtu.be/oivGC5shzL0
Born from the devastation of WWII, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls the world to recognize one truth: every person carries inviolable dignity.
Chen Guangcheng, William Saunders, and fellows of the Center consider the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its eternal relevance.
Today we’re re-releasing our 15-minute mini-documentary exploring the UDHR’s origins, its 30 essential rights, and why these principles still matter — especially for those living under oppression today.
Human rights are for everyone.
In this episode, Chen Guangcheng exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s coordinated efforts to discredit human rights activists abroad. He shares how he and Pastor Bob Fu, founder of ChinaAid, have faced online harassment, false accusations, and even death threats aimed at silencing their advocacy for freedom and truth.Guangcheng reveals how fake social media accounts are being used to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion.
In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Barefoot Lawyer Reports, Chen Guangcheng reflects on 13 years of living in the United States and shares why he remains deeply grateful for the freedoms and safety he’s found here.
He discusses the importance of standing up to the CCP’s influence, the growing global awareness of its human rights abuses, and how social media is reshaping public understanding. Happy Thanksgiving!
In part two of her conversation with Dr. William Saunders, 2025 Human Rights Essay Contest winner Cristina Cevallos outlines the final steps of her six-part strategy to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights abuses. She discusses how diplomacy, advocacy, and economic pressure can be used to promote accountability and protect human dignity.
Drawing on real-world examples of forced labor and global supply chain violations, Cristina offers a practical framework for confronting oppression through law, policy, and public action.
Click here to read Cristina Cevallos' Award Winning Essay: https://humanrights.catholic.edu/how-do-you-eat-a-chinese-dragon-one-bite-at-a-time/
In this two part episode, Dr. William Saunders speaks with Cristina Cevallos, one of the first-place winners of the 2025 Human Rights Essay Contest. Cristina discusses her award-winning essay, “How Do You Eat the Chinese Dragon? One Bite at a Time,” which explores strategies to counter human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party through indirect yet effective action.
Together, Dr. Saunders and Cristina examine the role of U.S. leadership in promoting democracy and defending freedom, the importance of law enforcement and policy in addressing human rights violations, and how nations can unite to confront global threats to liberty.
In this episode of The Barefoot Lawyer Reports on China, Chen Guangcheng exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to infiltrate American institutions—particularly universities—through manipulation, bribery, and blackmail.
Guangcheng discusses the recent case of Elsa Johnson, a Stanford student targeted by a CCP operative who attempted to recruit her with promises of money and travel to China. He also recounts how similar tactics have been used to entice academics and officials with lucrative offers and lavish treatment, all designed to gain influence within the U.S.
To view the interview with Elsa Johnson, click here
In the conclusion of this two-part tribute, Chen Guangcheng reflects on the later years of his friendship with Jerome Alan Cohen (1930–2024) — from Cohen’s bold advocacy during Chen’s house arrest to his steadfast support during Chen’s escape from China in 2012 and eventual resettlement in the United States.
Guangcheng recounts the moment he learned of Jerry’s passing, sharing his shock, sorrow, and deep gratitude for a man who had stood beside him through some of the most dangerous and defining moments of his life.
Jerome A. Cohen was a professor at NYU School of Law and one of the world’s foremost experts on Chinese law. A trailblazer in U.S.–China legal studies, he founded NYU’s U.S.-Asia Law Institute and was known for his unwavering commitment to fairness, freedom, and human dignity.
Articles about Jerry Cohen:WSJ - Jerome Cohen, the First American to Practice Law in China, Dies at 95
In this special two-part episode, Chen Guangcheng honors the life and legacy of Jerome Alan Cohen (1930–2024) — a pioneering scholar, lawyer, and lifelong advocate for human rights and the rule of law in China.
Guangcheng shares personal stories from their decades-long friendship: how they first met in 2003, their many conversations about justice and reform, and how Cohen’s mentorship and compassion helped shape generations of legal scholars and activists around the world.
Jerome A. Cohen was a professor at NYU School of Law and one of the world’s foremost experts on Chinese law. A trailblazer in U.S.–China legal studies, he founded NYU’s U.S.-Asia Law Institute and was known for his unwavering commitment to fairness, freedom, and human dignity.
Articles about Jerry Cohen:WSJ - Jerome Cohen, the First American to Practice Law in China, Dies at 95
In this final part, Elsa Johnson emphasizes that Chinese nationals—both in the U.S. and in China—are victims of the Chinese Communist Party. She also highlights her year-long investigation with Garrett Malloy into CCP influence at Stanford, detailing how some students are coerced into sharing research and experiences with the Party.
Their findings, published on The Stanford Review and The Free Press, reveal the broader threat to academic freedom and democratic discourse, urging awareness and vigilance on campuses everywhere.
Check out Elsa's report in The Stanford Review: https://stanfordreview.org/investigation-uncovering-chinese-academic-espionage-at-stanford/
In this third installment of our interview series, Elsa Johnson shares her personal experiences with CCP influence efforts on campus, including academic exchanges and social events designed to sway students’ perspectives.
She emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activities to authorities, highlights the breadth of CCP targeting—from technology and engineering programs to universities nationwide—and stresses the need for Americans to remain vigilant about foreign influence.
Check out Elsa's report in The Stanford Review: https://stanfordreview.org/investigation-uncovering-chinese-academic-espionage-at-stanford/
Check back next week for part 4!
In part two of this interview, Stanford student and Stanford Review managing editor Elsa Johnson continues her story about an unsettling encounter with a man who at first seemed to be a fellow student.
She details how he pressured her to travel to China without proper documents, aggressively pushed her to join WeChat under CCP monitoring, and displayed suspicious knowledge about other Stanford students abroad.
Check out Elsa's report in The Stanford Review: https://stanfordreview.org/investigation-uncovering-chinese-academic-espionage-at-stanford/
Check back next week for part 3!
In this first episode of a four-part series, Dr. William Saunders, Director of the Center for Human Rights at The Catholic University of America, sits down with Elsa Johnson, a Stanford University student, Managing Editor of The Stanford Review, and President of the Stanford Republican Club.
Elsa shares her eye-opening experience of being approached online by someone connected to the Chinese Communist Party. What began as a seemingly ordinary Instagram message soon revealed deeper attempts at influence and recruitment.
Check out Elsa's report in The Stanford Review: https://stanfordreview.org/investigation-uncovering-chinese-academic-espionage-at-stanford/
Check back next week for part 2!
The Chinese Communist Party has long paid online commenters in China, known as the “50 Cent Army,” or, "The Five Dimes." to spread propaganda and drown out dissent. But now, they are taking this strategy global.In this episode, Chen Guangcheng discusses how the CCP is expanding its influence by reportedly paying foreign commenters up to $5 per post to attack activists, manipulate public opinion, and interfere in democratic processes abroad.
In this episode Chen Guangcheng tells the story of a 14-year-old girl in Jiangyou, Sichuan Province, whose brutal bullying was caught on video and spread online.
When her father turned to the police for help, they refused to act — and soon after, the girl disappeared.
As the video went viral, thousands of citizens flooded the streets demanding justice, only to be met with crackdowns, arrests, and censorship.
In this episode of the Barefoot Lawyer Reports, Chen Guangcheng exposes the suspicious death of Luo Shuaiyu, a young medical intern in Hunan Province, whose story reveals chilling evidence of forced organ harvesting in China.
After Luo’s death was labeled a “suicide,” his father uncovered thousands of deleted transplant documents, secret recordings of doctors, and a video in which Luo insisted he would never take his own life.
This episode investigates how the CCP covers up organ trafficking, silences families, and profits from corruption at the highest levels of the medical system.
Check out the interview with a survivor of organ harvesting: https://youtu.be/muCNGkJ3GQE
In this episode of the Barefoot Lawyer Reports on China, Chen Guangcheng discusses a deadly car attack in Kunming, Yunnan Province, and how the Chinese Communist Party quickly censored the story.
He explains why many in China no longer trust the courts or government to protect their rights, and how censorship fuels desperation and unrest.
In this episode, Chen Guangcheng exposes a new tactic in the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda campaign: AI-generated videos impersonating him. He explains how these fake clips spread quickly online, fueled by suspicious accounts and coordinated comments, and warns about the growing danger of an information war on social media.