May 12, 2008
According to today’s Beijing News, four persons involved in the May 4 protest in Chengdu were detained under charges of “fabricating and spreading rumors, distortion (炒作), incitement to riot and illegal demonstration.” Chen Daojun, the man who allegedly masterminded the protest is so far the only one who has been formally arrested. He is facing charges of “inciting subversion of state power”. Another two suspects sought by the police are still at large. The above information was released at a press conference by Chengdu police.
The mainstream media has little coverage of the May 4 incident. One of the few reports was in the Ｍay 5 issue of The Beijing News. According to that report, about two hundred people gathered in downtown Chengdu for a “stroll” in protest against plans to construct a combined ethylene plant and oil refinery near the city . The protest lasted about two hours and during the whole process, no banner was carried, no threat of boycott was made, no slogan was yelled. People walked leisurely while policemen watched nervously. Everything went on peacefully, so much so that it was hailed by an editorial in The Beijing News on May 6 as a “rational expression of the public opinion”.
“Rational expression of the public opinion”? But the police did not feel that way.
- The Beijing News （Chinese): Chengdu “stroll”: a rational expression of public opinion
- The Beijing News (Chinese): Four detained for “strolling”
- Danwei: NIMBY protest hits Chengdu
- China Digital Times: Taking a Stroll — The Chinese Way of Demonstration