The bridge where yesterday’s event took place is now under guard. – © AFP
Someone who publicly protested and mocked the president, hadn’t seen much in China before. Yesterday, the activist climbed to the Sitong Bridge and hung two large banners calling for the overthrow of Xi Jinping. The work sparked praise and hatred among the Chinese people. An intense online manhunt has been launched to find out the identity of the man.
Jill Lissenburgsource: BBC
Not only the protest itself, but also its timing, infuriated Xi Jinping supporters. This action occurred on the night of the historic Congress of the Communist Party where President Xi Jinping usually announces his third term as party leader.
The activist hung two banners on the Sitong Bridge. In one, he made clear that China’s strict anti-virus policy should be ended, and on the other hand, he called for the overthrow of President Xi Jinping. The footage shows how police officers surrounded a man in construction worker’s clothing and eventually arrested him.
The man received a lot of praise on social media. Some Chinese on Twitter praise him as a “hero”. Meanwhile, online investigators have tried to identify the activist and believe they have found him. The suspected “perpetrator” had previously written a 23-page manifesto calling for civil disobedience.
Chinese state media completely ignore this measure. Not a single word was spoken on TV or online. The Communist Party online also tries to censor as much as possible. Many Chinese said their social media accounts were temporarily closed after expressing support for the protest.
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