Protesters gather in Beijing, Shanghai
February 20th, 2011 - 6:45 pm ICT by IANSBeijing, Feb 20 (IANS) Hundreds of people gathered Sunday in China’s major cities of Beijing and Shanghai but were dispersed by police in both places.In Beijing, people gathered in front of a restaurant in Wangfujing Street, but dispersed after police came to maintain order, Xinhua reported.
People started to gather at around 2 p.m. (0600 GMT). When police tried to take away two men from the crowd soon after, the protesters were surrounded by foreign journalists holding cameras.
Police began to clear out the traffic congestion, and most of the people left by 2.50 p.m.
In Shanghai, crowds gathered around the People’s Square at the same time - around 2.00 p.m. Three people were detained by police, after a man aged around 30 began a speech at the intersection of Yunnan Zhong Road and Hankou Road.
He, however, fled when police came. The crowd dispersed by 3.10 p.m.
DPA reported that the Hong Kong-based Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said more than 100 Chinese activists have been placed under house arrest or are in police custody.
A call for a “Jasmine Revolution” and demonstrations in 13 Chinese cities at 2 p.m. had earlier been issued over the internet.
Its initiators were unknown and it was not immediately clear how many people followed the call, which was accompanied by appeals for freedom and democracy.
The unrest that led to the ouster of Tunisian leader Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in January has come to be known as the Jasmine Revolution.
Internet censors in China reportedly blocked searches for the word “jasmine”.
- Arab world unrest spreads, scalds China (Roundup) - Feb 20, 2011
- Hundreds of police officers block Beijing protest - Feb 28, 2011
- Unrest spreads in Arab world, scalds China (Intro Roundup) - Feb 20, 2011
- 'China could have social turmoil if public governance fails' - Feb 21, 2011
- Be cautious of Internet mercenaries: China - Mar 02, 2011
- China asks foreign journalists to abide by laws - Mar 07, 2011
- US envoy to China 'flees scene' after being spotted at 'Jasmine Revolution' rally - Feb 24, 2011
- Chinese Police impose new media restrictions to prevent Mid-East type unrest - Mar 02, 2011
- Chinese online activists charged with subversion over calls for Jasmine revolution - Feb 25, 2011
- Scepticism rising in China, rues daily - Mar 01, 2011
- Ex-Chinese land official gets death penalty - Dec 30, 2011
- Egyptian protesters clash with police in anti-government protests - Jan 26, 2011
- Protests begin in Libya: Report - Feb 16, 2011
- Anti-government protests hit Libya (Lead) - Feb 16, 2011
- Congress workers protest outside BJP office - Mar 02, 2011
Tags: beijing, chinese activists, chinese cities, freedom and democracy, house arrest, information centre, initiators, internet censors, jasmine, major cities, ouster, police custody, protesters, rights and democracy, traffic congestion, tunisian, xinhua, zhong road, zine el abidine, zine el abidine ben ali