Guangxi Villagers Detained After Protesting Illegal Quarry, Sparking Outrage
GUILIN, CHINA – A late-night raid byriot police on August 17th in Lequn Village, Guangxi province, has sparked outrage after dozens of villagers were detained for protesting an illegal quarrythat has been causing environmental damage and displacing residents. The incident, which saw police breaking into homes and forcibly removing residents, has raised concerns about the use ofexcessive force and the suppression of peaceful protests in China.
The quarry, operated by Yanggu Mining Products Development Company, has been a source of contention since 2019. Villagers allege that the company, with the support of localofficials, illegally seized over 30 acres of farmland and forestland to construct the quarry. They claim the quarry has caused significant environmental damage, including ground subsidence, water contamination, and noise pollution, making their lives unbearable.
The villagers,led by local party members Liao Hongqing and Jiang Jilin, had repeatedly attempted to raise their concerns with local authorities, but their efforts were met with arrests and imprisonment. Jiang Jilin, a veteran who had served in the military, was sentenced to three years and six months for disrupting social order in 2021. His brother, Jiang Jiuhua, a retired teacher, was also sentenced to one year and six months for attempting to hire a lawyer for his brother.
In June 2024, the Guilin Intermediate People’s Court overturned Jiang Jilin’s conviction, citing unclearfacts, and ordered a retrial. However, the villagers, who had been detained for nearly two years, remain in custody, with some, like Jiang Jiuhua, having already served their sentences.
The recent raid, which saw police break into homes in the middle of the night, was triggered by the villagers’attempt to peacefully protest the quarry’s illegal activities. They had gathered with a court ruling that confirmed the quarry’s illegal land acquisition, demanding the restoration of their land.
The police response was swift and brutal. Hundreds of riot police descended on the village, breaking down doors and seizing residents, including elderly peopleand women. Witnesses reported that police confiscated money and cell phones during the raid, with one villager, Jiang Jichu, collapsing from high blood pressure after witnessing the police break into his home.
At least 23 villagers have been confirmed detained, including He Xiuxiang and Tang Meilan, who werecharged with disturbing public order and sent to the Guilin Second Detention Center. However, their families have not received any legal documents regarding the charges.
The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2016 raid on the notorious Taizhai Village in Guangdong province, where police used heavy force todismantle a criminal organization. The similarities have fueled concerns about the Chinese government’s increasing reliance on heavy-handed tactics to suppress dissent and silence critics.
The situation in Lequn Village highlights the ongoing struggle between local communities and powerful businesses in China. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of China’s legal system inprotecting the rights of ordinary citizens, particularly when they come into conflict with powerful interests.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and international media outlets, who are calling for the immediate release of the detained villagers and a thorough investigation into the use of excessive force by the police.
As the story unfolds, itremains to be seen whether the authorities will address the villagers’ grievances and ensure their right to peaceful protest. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the future of environmental activism and the protection of human rights in China.
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