The "Lift Lift Girl" of Shanghai
When middle school teacher Fan Meizhong dashed out of his classroom when the earthquake hit ahead of his student, he earned the nickname "Run Run Fan" from Chinese netizens. There have been many more public public figures since who have been crowned with nicknames like "XXX XXX something." The latest is the "Lift Lift Girl" of Shanghai. This came into the public consciousness through a series of photos posted on Internet forums showing a young female protestor being "lifted off" by the police from People's Plaza in Shanghai. Another Internet post then directed netizens to her personal blog which describes her particular grievance. Netizens are asked: Did she deliberately set up the situation for an accomplice to take those photos? In addition, does it matter if this was a deliberate set-up?
By the way, some Internet forums are deleting the posts related to this case right now.
(51.ca) The "Lift Lift Girl" Incident on National: A Shocking
On that day, I arranged to meet with friends and we planned to take photos of the lanterns. But I ended up with the following series of photos.
The girl was crying sadly. She stood there for some time. The law enforcement officers came quickly and they wanted to take her away. She cried and argued with them. The law enforcement officers had nothing to say.
Unfortunately, my own camera had been stolen and so I was using a borrowed one. I could not find the sound recording button. There were many people around, and I could not hear what this was about except maybe "You want to create a peaceful climate, but that doesn't mean that such things don't exist." "They caused my family to lose our property and our lives -- I speak the truth here but I am considered a criminal." I can't remember too much. I can't write about how I felt. I felt that it was a plaintive near-death plea.
I was feeling somewhat odd. Then the young woman was lifted away by four police officers, each holding one of her limbs. She was thin and frail. When the law enforcement officers surrounded her, I could not see her.
During the time, the law enforcement tried to take away her banner but she refused to yield. The spectators said that it was wrong to take away her stuff, but the police did it anyway. After she was taken away, some spectators said that she has been there for a while but nobody minded her. The law enforcement officer said, "If there is a problem, please tell us." A woman replied: "What good does telling you do?" The law enforcement officer did not say anyything.
Afterwards, my friend came. But I was in no mood to look at the lanterns. Sigh, I don't know what to say.
The city government forged for my signature to agree to the relocation.
While I was away i school, they began the demolition.
My mother was so upset that she died suddenly.
The relevant departments passed the buck and lied.
Today, it is the celebration of National Day while I mourn the death of my mother.
Whose fault is it!
(Tianya) Girl, we understand the reason for your tears -- a shocking scene at the People's Plaza in Shanghai. October 18, 2009.
She is Shanghainese. Her name is Jin Tingqian. I went to her blog ( http://chinagrudge.blog.163.com/blog/ ) recently out of curiosity and I saw this sentence which reflects her recent feelings: "I hope for a miracle that can avenge my mother!"
I don' t know what mind of grievance a 28-year-old woman might have to want to take revenge. But curiosity made me continue. After reading her blog, I cried. Yes, I cried. I saw the tears in her words. Each blog post was soaked with bright red blood and filled with the cries of despair! Every sound whipped my heart.
Her mother said her final words: "When I was young, I heard the adults say that after our Party and Army liberated Shanghai, they slept in the streets because they did not want to disturb the civilians. But why are things like this nowadays?" Her mother died because she was so upset by these lowly disgusting people. This occurred on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the nation in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai.
This is her latest blog post:
All these things are past. I stood in the street and raised my banner. The police took me down to the police station "so that I can meet with the leader." Then I was taken to make a statement. The police officer who took the notes was interesting. He asked me whether I had written to the relevant departments. I said that I wrote many times but seldom got a response. He asked me which leader I wanted to meet. I replied that I want to meet any leader who can solve my problem instead of staying "We only listen here but we can't solve any problems," "I can't do anything myself, so I'll have to make a report" and so on. He told me that I ought to see the city official in charge of urban construction. I said, "Yes. Ha ha, if you think that I can see him any time that I want to, what is the point of taking these notes?" Then I was told "Your problem should be addressed by the relevant department. You cannot just take a banner down to the People's Plaza. That is illegal and not permissible. Do you know that?" I was asked repeatedly whether I understood. It was such a joke.
The city relocation force used the authority of the state to take away my house and cause the death of my mother. They did not break the law. Instead, I break the law if I want to meet with a leader. Aren't the leaders of China the leaders of the people? Don't the signs in front of Chinese government offices say that they are the People's Government. Seeking out a leader to solve a problem is breaking the law? The lives of ordinary people aren't human lives? Do we deserve to be bullied and exploited?
What is the law? The police always ask me whether I understand the law. I don't think too many people understand this kind of law. If this is really the law, then does it serve justice or is it a tool with which to trample upon justice?
