“Jasmine Revolution” Call For Change Hits China

David L. Chaplin II
Impunity Watch, Asia

BEIJING, China – The anonymous campaigners behind the so-called “Jasmine rallies”, a reference to the “Jasmine revolution” in Tunisia that sparked unrest across the Arab world, said their movement had support in dozens of cities. Chinese authorities deployed hundreds of policemen, blocked internet services and detained several dissidents by force to thwart ” Egypt-style’ ‘ protests in Beijing and Shanghai on Sunday.

China’s Jasmine Protest Organizers Call For Regular Sunday Strolls (VOA News)
China’s Jasmine Protest Organizers Call For Regular Sunday Strolls (VOA News)

Ambassador Jon Huntsman called the detention and beating of the foreign press “unacceptable and deeply disturbing.” He is urging the Chinese government to hold the perpetrators accountable and respect the rights of foreign journalists in the country.

Beijing’s Wang Fu Jing street, a busy shopping area was washed repeatedly with high-pressure water hoses to keep people away. The entry to the area was also restricted.

China’s leaders have watched developments in the Arab world nervously, as similar issues were among the root causes of the upheaval there.

Chinese authorities have reacted to these demonstrations by rounding up more than 100 known dissidents and rights advocates, activists said, and blocking references to the “jasmine” rallies on websites and search engines.

“We believe these deeds cannot stop the development of the Chinese Jasmine Revolution,” the organizers said.

On Sunday Premier Wen Jiabao promised action on top public concerns including soaring inflation, runaway economic growth and official corruption in an online chat with Internet users.

Hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes police had blanketed the city’s Wangfujing shopping street for the second week running, aggressively pushing away foreign reporters with cameras and briefly detaining several.

Bloomberg News said one of its correspondents was kicked and punched by at least five men in plainclothes, believed to be Chinese governmental security personnel. He required medical treatment.

“This type of harassment and intimidation is unacceptable and deeply disturbing,” U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman said in a statement.

The new statement was posted on Facebook, Twitter and other overseas social networking sites officially blocked in China, and came one day after security personnel turned out in force to thwart gatherings in Beijing and Shanghai.

Citizens have been urged to gather for subtle “strolling” demonstrations, but take no overt protest action, each Sunday afternoon at designated locations in cities across China, people protest to highlight public anger with the government.

The latest call urged “all social groups, intellectuals, unemployed college graduates, retired soldiers, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, laid off workers, victims of forced land seizures and building demolitions, and all people suffering from governmental injustice” to take part.

According to the feedback received by various new sources, on Feb. 27, 2011, this movement spread to over 100 cities, largely exceeding  initial expectations of 27 cities, it said, calling for people to “walk” for change again next Sunday.

“We send our salutations to all Chinese citizens supporting and participating in this noble movement!”

For more information, please see:

Vancouver SunOrganizers plan new rallies despite tough weekend clampdown – 1 March 2011

The Times of India – China cracks whip, crushes ‘jasmine’ stir – 28 February 2011

Voice of America – US Ambassador Decries Chinese Abuse of Journalists – 28 February 2011

CTV News – Diplomats criticize harassment of journalists in China – 28 February 2011

Author: Impunity Watch Archive