Chinese authorities crush online call for Middle East-style revolution
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chinese police staged a show of force yesterday to stifle a mysterious online call for a "Jasmine Revolution", apparently echoing pro-democracy demonstrations in the Middle East.
But the campaign did not gain much traction among ordinary citizens and the chances of toppling the Communist government remain slim, considering Beijing's tight controls over the media and the internet. Police detained known activists, increased the number of officers on the streets, disconnected some mobile phone texting services and censored internet postings about the call to stage protests in Beijing, Shanghai and 11 other major cities. A student-led pro-democracy movement in 1989 was crushed by the military and hundreds – perhaps thousands – were killed.
Police detained at least three people in Beijing, one of whom tried to lay down white jasmine flowers, as hundreds of people milled about the rallying place, outside a McDonald's. In Shanghai, three people were held near the planned protest spot after they scuffled in an apparent bid to grab the attention of passers-by.
Many activists said they did not know who was behind the campaign and were not sure what to make of the call to protest, which circulated first on Saturday on the US-based, Chinese-language news website Boxun.com.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments