Victims of Communism Memorial

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The Victims of Communism Memorial honors the more than 100 million people worldwide who lost their lives under communist regimes and those who continue to suffer under totalitarian systems today. Located at the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue NW, near Union Station, the memorial stands as a moral and historical statement about the human cost of political repression and the universal longing for freedom. Authorized by Congress in 1993 and dedicated in 2007, the memorial reflects a bipartisan commitment to remembrance, education, and the defense of fundamental human rights.

The memorial’s design centers on a bronze replica of the "Goddess of Democracy," a statue originally created by Chinese student demonstrators during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. The figure raises a torch skyward, echoing the Statue of Liberty and symbolizing hope, resistance, and the enduring aspiration for liberty in the face of oppression. Its deliberate resemblance to American democratic symbols reinforces the shared global values of freedom of expression, self-determination, and human dignity.

The statue stands atop a granite pedestal inscribed with the words, “To the more than one hundred million victims of communism and those who love liberty.” This inscription frames the memorial not only as a place of mourning, but also as a call to vigilance and moral responsibility. The restrained use of materials and the memorial’s compact footprint emphasize solemnity and focus, directing attention to the individual human stories behind the staggering historical toll.

Together, the memorial’s location, form, and symbolism create a powerful space for reflection within the nation’s capital. Positioned among monuments that celebrate democratic governance and national ideals, the Victims of Communism Memorial serves as a counterpoint—reminding visitors that freedom cannot be taken for granted and that the preservation of liberty requires memory, education, and resolve.