The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had previously opened the nation following the COVID-19 pandemic, however in recent months, they have gone back to a “zero-COVID” policy, meaning that any individuals who tests positive for the virus will be forcibly quarantined. The CCP has resorted to using incredible force in order to lock down entire buildings of people, they have separated families, even taking children from parents if they have tested positive for COVID-19.
One apartment building that was under lockdown in Urumqi caught fire, resulting in the death of at least 10 people who were unable to escape. According to the Post Millennial, social media users claim that the COVID-19 restrictions prevented firefighters from rescuing those stuck inside, CCP authorities have denied this claim.
“Demonstrations erupted in at least seven cities — including Shanghai, Nanjing and Guangzhou — with violence breaking out between local cops and furious protesters.
The largest demonstration appeared in Shanghai — home to 26 million residents — with many boldly demanding President Xi Jinping resign.”
Daily Mail
The deaths sparked the mass protests, as many people feared that the lockdowns would continue to result in more tragic deaths. The demonstrations have been dubbed the “White Paper Revolution” as many protestors have held blank sheets of white paper, which are representative of the oppressive censorship laws in the nation.
This is the largest citizen uprising in China since The Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in 1989, which resulted in the deaths of thousands, and the arrest of approximately 10,000 citizens. The 10,000 taken by the CCP were likely sent to slave labor or re-education camps, both of which are common in the communist nation. Many protestors today are risking their lives to stand against the lockdowns and the historically violent CCP.
Beijing police have been calling citizens who have attended the protests to interrogate them, attempting to use fear and intimidation to put an end to the demonstrations. Insider Paper reports that citizens who did not answer police calls would received in-person visits from officers, who “stressed that last night’s protest was an illegal assembly, and if we had demands then we could submit them through the regular channels.”
In videos circulating on social media, CCP police forces can be seen attacking protestors, reporters, and anyone who opposes the draconian lockdown measures. Protests also broke out at the largest iPhone factory in China, and videos show hundreds of workers storming out of the building. Some employees who were attempting to escape were beaten by authorities in hazmat suits and police in riot gear.
The manufacturing company, Foxconn, is rumored to have forced workers to share dormitories with COVID-19 positive individuals. “They changed the contract so that we could not get the subsidy as they had promised. They quarantine us but don’t provide food,” one manufacturing employee said, according to BBC.
In the months leading up to the massive demonstrations, the Chinese government deployed drones to survey people around the country. The technology is used to communicate with individuals who are not abiding by lockdown or masking orders.
Disturbing videos shared to social media reveal the drones making their way through cities, peering into homes, announcing the same dystopian slogan again and again, “The city is under lockdown, stay indoors.”
Despite the clear human rights violations being perpetrated by the CCP, the US government has not condemned the cruel tactics used against citizens to stop the anti-lockdown movement. A statement released by the White House simply noted that the US will not be pursuing the “zero COVID” policy, and recommended Americans take booster immunization shots to prevent disease. The statement also claimed that, “everyone has the right to peacefully protest, here in the United States and around the world. This includes in the [People’s Republic of China].”
Many social media users are criticizing the statement, frustrated by the lack of strength and resolve demonstrated by the White House.
