Hunger strike detentions continue in Shanghai

Shanghaiist found this report from Human Rights in China (to state the obvious, not accessible within China) about hunger strikers in Shanghai. Here are the first few paragraphs:

Human Rights in China (HRIC) has learned of a further string of detentions in Shanghai apparently related to participation in lawyer Gao Zhisheng’s hunger strike against official repression and violence.

Gao Zhisheng’s hunger strike, begun earlier this month, has apparently raised increasing alarm within the Chinese government as it has gained support across China. A number of well-known Beijing activists, including Hu Jia, Qi Zhiyong, Wen Haibo, Zhao Dagong, Ma Wendu and Ouyang Xiansheng, have been reported missing over the past few days.

Sources in China told HRIC that at least five long-term petitioners in Shanghai have also been detained or have gone missing since announcing their intention to participate in the hunger strike beginning on February 15.

Shanghaiist discovered that this is part of a strategy called "rolling hunger strikes" that Chinese activists have adopted where each person fasts for a short period of time. Gao is calling on all Chinese people or people concerned with China to participate, and says this of the planned time span for these strikes:

There is no time limit. As long as there are Chinese people oppressed, then we will continue with our hunger strike. Our numbers will grow, to an extent that will surprise people.”

What's interesting about this is that activists of different agendas are joining up: AIDS activists, housing relocation activists, religious rights activists, the whole gamut. It should be interesting to see where (if anywhere) this goes.

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Going to church on Sundays is a drag, but this is ridiculous …

Image from www.ronhaleber.nl.