Resisting Tyranny – Part 27: The 16-Second Standstill

jiejing

Resisting Tyranny – Part 27: The 16-Second Standstill

Xuefeng

July 11, 2025

In the face of the overwhelming machinery of tyranny, any form of resistance carries risk. But while resistance is risky, not resisting means living without dignity. To achieve the greatest impact with the least risk, I propose that every ordinary person oppressed by tyranny take part in the 16-Second Standstill.

Here’s how it works:

No matter what you’re doing—writing an article, browsing online, commenting on a post, working in a field or factory, sitting at a desk, driving a car, serving passengers on a flight, operating a bus on the road, shopping in a mall, running a small restaurant, eating a meal, walking your dog in the park, or simply walking through the streets—at 10:00 a.m. every Tuesday, stop everything.

If you're walking, stop and stand upright.
If you're driving, pull over and sit quietly in your car.
If you’re checking out at a store, pause before paying.
If you're eating, set down your utensils.

Whatever it is—stop for 16 seconds.
Say nothing. Do nothing.
Just stand quietly and calmly.
After 16 seconds, resume what you were doing.

This is how we express our disgust and resistance toward tyranny—with a 16-second pause. It is how we show Heaven and all deities our wish for justice and a better life.

Heaven sees, Earth sees, and every person has eyes. Above each of us, the gods are watching. Let the world hear the voice of our hearts and witness our resolve to pursue light and a life of dignity.

A 16-second pause is not a crime.
The evil regime has no legal grounds to suppress it.
Police cannot react in time.
And when it happens everywhere at once, they can’t control it.

Even if surveillance cameras record it and someone tries to come after you later, you can give a thousand reasons:
“I felt unwell.”
“I was upset and had to stop.”
“I needed to calm down to keep myself from losing control.”

When one-third of the people across the country pause for 16 seconds at the same time, the evil regime will begin to fall apart.

The key to joy, happiness, freedom, blessedness, and a secure life with dignity lies in each person’s hands.
Taking part in the 16-Second Standstill every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. is like using that key to open the door to a better life.

If you’ve had enough of being oppressed…
If you see no hope for the future…
If every day feels worse than death…
If you constantly feel at risk…
If you live with worry, sorrow, and fear…

Then take 16 seconds every Tuesday morning at 10:00.
You can start now, or later—whenever you're ready.
Don’t look around to see if others are doing it.
Just do your part.

If you’re a Chinese person living overseas, and you do not wish to stand with tyranny, you too should take part in the 16-Second Standstill.

They say a saint from the East will appear to save the people from fire and water.
Let our 16-second pause be our way of showing our expectation and respect.

May the Eastern Saint not disappoint the people.
And may the people not let the Eastern Saint down.