Despite significant opposition from human rights activists and lawmakers, Philadelphia’s City Hall proceeded with raising the Chinese Communist Party’s flag on September 30, 2025, in recognition of the CCP’s National Day celebration.
The event, which commemorates the CCP’s rise to power following China’s civil war, drew immediate protests from various groups, including the Tibetan Association of Philadelphia. The organization’s president, Tsering Jurme, condemned the flag-raising, describing the CCP flag not as a cultural symbol but as a representation of a brutal regime responsible for countless deaths and ongoing persecution.
Prior to the ceremony, the Campaign for Uyghurs had appealed directly to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, urging the cancellation of the event. The organization’s founder, Rushan Abbas, whose sister Gulshan received a 20-year prison sentence in China, emphasized that the flag symbolizes a regime engaged in genocide, mass surveillance, and religious persecution.
This is not an isolated incident, as several other major U.S. cities have conducted similar ceremonies in recent years. Boston, San Francisco, and New York City have all raised the Chinese flag, with New York doing so as recently as 2023. A previous Los Angeles flag-raising in 2005 ended dramatically when protesters removed the flag shortly after its installation.
The decision faced strong criticism from both state and federal officials. Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano voiced concerns about honoring a regime responsible for millions of deaths during events like the Cultural Revolution. Representative Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) expressed his disapproval on social media, questioning the appropriateness of displaying “the banner of tyranny” in the birthplace of American independence.
House Select Committee on the CCP Chairman, Representative John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), addressed additional concerns regarding Philadelphia’s ties to China. He highlighted the city’s sister city relationship with Tianjin and noted the involvement of organizations like the Pennsylvania United Chinese Coalition and Greater
Philadelphia Fujian Hometown Association, which have connections to the CCP’s United Front network.
The flag-raising was co-organized by Chinese “hometown” organizations, which, while originally established as immigrant community groups, now function as part of the CCP’s global influence operations. These associations frequently promote the Chinese government’s agenda and participate in transnational activities aligned with Beijing’s interests.
Critics argue that such events legitimize a regime that not only suppresses human rights within its borders but also contributes to the American fentanyl crisis through the supply of precursor chemicals. The ceremony has sparked particular controversy given Philadelphia’s historical significance as the birthplace of the U.S. Constitution and its role in American independence.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining cultural ties with Chinese communities and avoiding the appearance of endorsing the Chinese Communist Party’s policies and actions. Similar flag-raising ceremonies have consistently drawn criticism from human rights advocates and political figures who view them as inappropriate recognition of an authoritarian regime.
At the time of the event, Mayor Parker’s office had not responded to requests for comment on the decision to proceed with the ceremony despite the widespread opposition and concerns raised by various stakeholders. The event continues to generate debate about the appropriate balance between cultural celebration and political symbolism in American civic spaces.