Cathedral to host memorial service for Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo

Washington, D.C. – Washington National Cathedral will host a memorial service for the late Liu Xiaobo on Thursday, Oct.19, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST.

Born in 1955, Liu Xiaobo was a Chinese intellectual and human rights activist who fought for a more open and democratic China for over 20 years. Mr. Liu took part in the student protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 “for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.” He was the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate to die in state custody since Carl von Ossietzky, the German pacifist and foe of Nazism who won the prize in 1935 and died under guard in 1938.

Mr. Liu, who died July 13 at the age of 61, had been suffering from late stage liver cancer while serving an 11-year jail sentence for demanding an end to one-party rule in China.

The service will be open to the public. Further details will be shared as they are finalized. 

News media wishing to cover the memorial service should contact Nora Langan at West End Strategy Team at (202) 765-8584 or via email at [email protected]. RSVPs will be required as space is limited.

Outlets interested in covering this service MUST be credentialed by the Cathedral in advance.

CONTACT: Nora Langan, West End Strategy Team • (202) 765-8584 • [email protected]