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In Beijing, a Permit to Protest Only After Games End
Hong Kong resident Wang Wenjin returned to Beijing with others after being turned down the first time.
(By Jill Drew -- The Washington Post)
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After about 90 minutes, Wang and his group left the building to get something to eat. He said the authorities had asked each of them to write out a lengthy application letter stating the objectives of their protest, the number and identities of participants, the protest location and any expected protest routes, and the slogans and banners that would be used.
"We did all that, and then the officials said they wanted more," Wang said.
After dinner, Wang returned. He was told that if the application were approved, he would be able to protest on Aug. 26 or 27, after the Olympics are over.
"What's the point of that?" Wang fumed. "These so-called 'protest zones' are a kind of show, to show a good image to the outside world. But they use all kinds of excuses to decline all requests."
Although Wang vowed to stay in Beijing and continue to fight for his right to protest, he said police warned him that if he holds an unapproved protest, he "will be deeply responsible for it."
Researcher Liu Songjie contributed to this report.
