Dear John,

After years of controversy, PBS is still censoring the film Voices from the Frontlines: China's War on Poverty. Why? Because it shows how China successfully lifted 100 million people out of poverty. When the media stops us from hearing the success stories of other countries, we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from them. PBS censoring the documentary just plays into the US cold war on China– we need cooperation, not division!

PBS claims they “serve the American public [by] using media to educate, inspire, entertain, and express a diversity of perspectives,” but continues to censor films outside their narrow anti-China sentiments. Our trusted media networks need to see beyond borders and always raise up the truth rather than hide it behind divisive political agendas.  

👉Tell PBS to LIBERATE THE FILM!

We need the truth now more than ever, especially as global poverty rates persist at staggering levels and the US plunges into another economic recession. Currently, over 140 million Americans are living in poverty, contributing to the fourth leading cause of death in the US.* Meanwhile, China’s poverty alleviation programs have been an unprecedented movement of people-to-people dialogue, displaying the human benefits of localized, bottom-up methodologies. We, as a global community, need all the tools we can get to face poverty head-on. 

Not only is PBS violating its values by censoring this important documentary, but it's also participating in the spread of hate and misinformation during one of the most heightened climates of anti-Asian hate and violence in US history. If we cannot share the truth about China’s successes, we will never be able to achieve collective peace and equality. 

👉Tell PBS to stop censoring the documentary about China’s war on poverty!

Peace and solidarity, 

Megan, Jodie, and the CODEPINK Team 

PS: Sign the petition to receive a link and password to a private viewing of the documentary.

PPS: Interested in visiting China? Join our community trip to China this November. You can also check out our China Travel Page for more information. 

PPPS: Contact [email protected] to schedule a meeting and learn more about China Is Not Our Enemy biweekly meetings, including our upcoming one on Monday, May 27th at 7pm ET. 

**See data about US poverty levels here.