The Story of Harry Wu

Harry Wu was a political prisoner in China for nineteen years after being labeled as a counter-revolutionary by the government. Originally from Shanghai, he was part of the so-called bourgeoisie class and was a university student in Wuhan before he was unjustly imprisoned, without even a trial. He spent much of his time working in extremely treacherous conditions in a prison mine.

His family fell apart while he was in prison, and he had no freedom during the prime years of his life because of Mao’s regime. When he was released from prison, he went to the United States to become a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Even though he was teaching at a world-famous institution, he had to work night shifts at a doughnut shop to get by.

Through it all, he never gave up hope. His harrowing tale is a testament to the millions of others who were imprisoned by this brutal communist government and those who were killed simply because the government had the power to do so.

Interview with Mr. Harry Wu
“How can I survive? I just lived as a beast. Any life, including humans, they want to live. Even dogs, even small ants. Everyone wants to live. I just wanted to live.”

Interviewer: Tomáš Bouška
This interview's English transcription has been gratefully edited by Ms. Victoria Lee Norris volunteering for Political Prisoners.eu, and the Laogai Research Foundation.