Chinese pollution protesters turn violent in clash with police

[desrt]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/28/13002897-chinese-pollution-protesters-turn-violent-in-clash-with-police

QIDONG, China -- Angry demonstrators occupied a government office in eastern China on Saturday, destroying computers and overturning cars in a violent protest against an industrial waste pipeline they said would poison their coastal waters.

The demonstration was the latest in a string of protests sparked by fears of environmental degradation and highlights the social tensions the government in Beijing faces as it approaches a leadership transition this year.

.......

An AFP photographer described the scene, saying demonstrators seized bottles of liquor and wine from the offices, along with cartons of cigarettes -- all of which Chinese officials frequently receive as bribes.

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According to the AFP, searches including "Qidong" on China's popular microblogging site Sina Weibo were blocked Saturday. Sina Weibo has over 250 million subscribers.

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Environmental worries have stoked calls for expanded rights for citizens and greater consultation in the tightly controlled one-party state.
The outpouring of public anger is emblematic of the rising discontent facing Chinese leaders, who are obsessed with maintaining stability and struggling to balance growth with rising public anger over environmental threats.

.....

The leadership has vowed to clean up China's skies and waterways and increasingly tried to appear responsive to complaints about pollution. But environmental disputes pit citizens against local officials whose aim is to lure fresh investment and revenue into their areas.

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[brice1967]

Yeah, I don't get it either.  To me, if you're in this to make changes that will or potentially will benefit all, you lose all credibility when you act or react with violence.....  You've gone from activist to terrorist in one lousy act.  At that point, how do you expect to be taken seriously?

At any of these protests, it seems as if the protestors begin yelling and screaming, taunting the police or authorities to do something....  Don't yell, don't to anything to promote or provoke violence.  Get the smartest people in your group to step forward and begin some kind of dialog.  You yelling and screaming comes off as violence and it is always countered with violence..... do it right, came some respect and some momentum.

[adgal]

I think in most protests most are peaceful about it, with usually a few taking it to the next level.  At least that has been my experience with protests I have witnessed.  And of course, if the police try to shut it down it can turn violent too.  I understand folks defending themselves, and I understand frustration, however I'm just not a believer that violence really accomplishes much.  Just my opinion.

[orphanedhawk]

People often react violently out of frustration.
If they are going to poison your water, you might get very mad.
Hence the violence fueled from anger.

As you mentioned, violence makes the news.

[rivll]

I think the Chinese demonstrators are very brave. They have the foresight to see what this environmental degradation will do to their region and the courage to risk their lives to stop it.
If they don't, they will all face a lot more damage than broken computers and a few broken bottles of wine.
A moderate sounding like a radical? So be it. In this case, anyway.

[desrt]

"...demonstrators seized bottles of liquor and wine from the offices, along with cartons of cigarettes -- all of which Chinese officials frequently receive as bribes..."

This is the reason we are losing jobs to China. The US needs to set a cap for bribing public officials at one bottle of wine and one carton of cigarettes.

[teko]

I just cannot figure out what violence is supposed to accomplish. I guess maybe getting locked up and destroying everything gets the word out to further the cause?