Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., on September 24 as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the U.S. capital to meet with President Donald Trump. The demonstrations brought together Southern Mongolians, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Chinese democracy activists, and supporters of other communities raising concerns about Chinese government policies.

The day’s protests began near the Chinese Embassy and continued with a march through Washington to the U.S. Capitol, where protesters gathered for a major rally. Southern Mongolian participants joined the demonstration carrying Mongolian flags and raising concerns over the future of the Mongolian language, culture, and ethnic identity.

The rally also focused on China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, which took effect on July 1, 2026. Protesters spoke out against forced assimilation, cultural erasure, and transnational repression.

“Give Southern Mongolian children back their right to native-language education! ” was among the slogans raised during the demonstration.

Protesters display a banner calling for the protection of Southern Mongolian children’s right to receive education in the Mongolian language during the September 24 rally in Washington, D.C.

MHRIC Director Enghebatu Togochog speaks at a protest against Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 2026.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) joined protesters at the U.S. Capitol. Pelosi addressed the crowd, while McGovern called on the Trump administration to make human rights part of its discussions with Xi.

“No Xi in D.C. without human rights,” McGovern told the crowd.

McGovern also called for the release of prisoners of conscience and urged the U.S. government to raise human rights concerns with the Chinese government.

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern speaks at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol during a demonstration against Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 2026. Photo by Tsering Dolka Gurung.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol during a demonstration in Washington, D.C., onSeptember 24, 2026.

The September 24 demonstration brought together communities with different histories and experiences, united by calls for greater attention to human rights and the protection of cultural and linguistic identities.

For Southern Mongolians, the rally provided an opportunity to make our voice heard in Washington and to reaffirm the importance of preserving our language, culture, and identity.