5. The Mistrial of Professor Anming Hu under the "China Initiative"

On June 16, 2021, a mistrial in Professor Anming Hu’s case was declared after the jury deadlocked and failed to reach a verdict.  After two years of failing to find any evidence of economic espionage, federal prosecutors built a case against Professor Hu rooted in racial bias and profiling under the Department of Justice’s “China Initiative.” This is a telling outcome for the first case of a university professor tried under the “China Initiative,” indicating the deep flaws in the investigations, surveillance, and other efforts under this initiative.  The defense attorney for Professor Hu will provide a briefing of the trial.  Civil rights organizations, the academic community, and local community leaders, who organized activities to support Professor Hu and his family, will speak out on their concerns with the “China Initiative” and the deeply concerning investigation and surveillance of Professor Hu.  We will also hear actions being taken by Congress.