Ürümqi Massacre Commemorated with Worldwide Protests

On the 16th anniversary of the Ürümqi Massacre, protests were held in numerous cities around the world. Demonstrators commemorated those who lost their lives and condemned China’s ongoing genocide against the Uyghur people.

Sixteen years ago, on July 5, 2009, peaceful protests by Uyghurs in the city of Ürümqi, East Turkistan, were met with brutal violence by the Chinese regime. Hundreds were killed and thousands were severely injured during the military crackdown. In the days that followed, Chinese police and soldiers raided Uyghur homes throughout Ürümqi, arbitrarily detaining tens of thousands of young people. Most of those detained were never seen or heard from again.

To mark this tragic anniversary, demonstrations were held on July 5, 2025, in cities including Munich, Istanbul, Washington, Tokyo, and Amsterdam. The courage of those who stood up in Ürümqi was honored, the victims were remembered, and China’s long-running genocidal policies were condemned.

PROTEST AND EXHIBITION IN MUNICH

Led by the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), Uyghurs gathered in Munich’s central Marienplatz for a protest and also opened an exhibition highlighting the ongoing Uyghur genocide.

— Uygur Haber (@UygurHaber) July 6, 2025

“The goal was to raise public awareness of China’s ruthless campaign against the Uyghurs. This tragic event must never be forgotten. The genocide in East Turkistan continues, and until justice is achieved, the Uyghur cause must remain on the international agenda,” the WUC stated.

MARCH AND PRESS STATEMENT IN TOKYO

Despite the heat, Uyghurs and Japanese supporters organized a protest march in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, followed by a press statement denouncing the massacre and calling for accountability.

— Uygur Haber (@UygurHaber) July 6, 2025

PROTEST IN WASHINGTON

A demonstration was held in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC. The Uyghur American Association stated:
“We have gathered to honor the victims, to demand justice, and to cry out for an end to the Uyghur Genocide. The Uyghur people will never forget — and we will not be silenced until our flag flies freely in our homeland of East Turkistan!”

— Uygur Haber (@UygurHaber) July 6, 2025

DEMONSTRATION IN AMSTERDAM

Uyghurs in the Netherlands staged a protest at Amsterdam Central Station to denounce China’s crimes of genocide in East Turkistan. Participants declared:
“We call on people across the world to take action against the genocide in East Turkistan and the tyranny of the Chinese regime.”

— Uygur Haber (@UygurHaber) July 6, 2025

PROTEST IN ISTANBUL

In Istanbul, Uyghurs held a protest near the Chinese Consulate General in the city’s Sarıyer district, demanding justice for the victims and condemning China’s ongoing repression in East Turkistan.