Activists' Arrest Sparks Protest in Polluted Chinese Village
2009-10-27 9:40
Riot police descended upon Paibian Village in China’s Guangdong Province on October 22nd. As these photos from The Epoch Times show, more than 2,000 people surrounded the town hall. They were demanding the release of twelve local activists arrested that morning.
For months, the activists had led a grassroots movement to stop a local ceramics plant from polluting the air, soil and water. The pollution has caused villagers serious health problems.
Witnesses report that on the morning of October 22, unidentified police stormed the homes of the activists and dragged them off. There are reports of police stripping the activists of their cash and cell phones, and one report of a woman being taken into custody in her undergarments.
Local officials have not given any details as to the whereabouts or condition of the arrested activists. And so far, officials have so far refused to meet with the protesters.
For months, the activists had led a grassroots movement to stop a local ceramics plant from polluting the air, soil and water. The pollution has caused villagers serious health problems.
Witnesses report that on the morning of October 22, unidentified police stormed the homes of the activists and dragged them off. There are reports of police stripping the activists of their cash and cell phones, and one report of a woman being taken into custody in her undergarments.
Local officials have not given any details as to the whereabouts or condition of the arrested activists. And so far, officials have so far refused to meet with the protesters.
