Some report the use of tanks.
QUICK FACTS:
- China’s government has threatened to “resolutely crack down” on what they have called “hostile forces” protesting in the streets.
- Riot police in hazmat suits have been sent by Communist Party leadership to push anti-COVID-lockdown protesters to return to their homes.
- This protest is believed to be the largest show of dissent to take the country in 33 years since the Tiananmen Square demonstrations came to a horrific, bloody end.
- Images and video footage show tanks being rolled into the cities, believed to be working their way toward protesters.
FROM THE CCP:
- The party’s senior body in charge of law enforcement agencies claimed in a statement on Tuesday that maintaining “effective measures” to “resolutely safeguard national security” was a major priority.
- “We must resolutely crack down on infiltration and sabotage activities by hostile forces in accordance with the law, resolutely crack down on illegal and criminal acts that disrupt social order and effectively maintain overall social stability,” the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission said.
BACKGROUND:
- Protesters in Shanghai have demanded the end to COVID-19 lockdowns following widespread outrage over the death of at least 10 in an apartment building fire, as American Faith previously reported.
- The fire took place in Uramqi Xingiang and conflicting reports about the mortality rate indicate that as many as 40 citizens trapped in their homes might have died in the fire.
- Reports from locals indicated that at least 100 police were blocking off roads and as many as a dozen were beating one female protester.
- One participant described the scene in Shanghai as “shocking,” saying that some citizens got into scuffles with police, some were beaten, and some were taken away in police vehicles.
- “I was very moved. The people have been suppressed for too long. It was not fear. I felt that my blood was boiling,” she said. “I felt that I was witnessing history in the making. I had goosebumps.”
