The protests were led by Yun Fei Zhu, who also published pamphlets that named Gao’s address and accused him of being a spy for the Chinese Communist Party. Chanting in English and Mandarin, the demonstrators called him a “CCP spy” and spread other false claims.

Gao, who has worked as a journalist and previously opposed the Chinese Communist Party, testified that the campaign caused distress to his wife, young daughter and elderly mother‑in‑law.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Richard Hewson found Zhu liable and ordered a $275,000 award – $250,000 in general damages, $25,000 in aggravated damages, a $5,000 court‑cost order and an injunction against further defamation.

The judgment matters because it demonstrates that courts can hold online harassers accountable, giving journalists a legal tool to protect their reputation and free speech. Injunctions and monetary damages send a clear signal that false, damaging campaigns will not be tolerated.