Patch_W_Adams's St Louis Blog

Protesters Rounded up by Beijing Police

Protesters Rounded Up by Beijing Police Ahead of the Olympics

 By AUDRA ANG Associated Press Writer
BEIJING August 7, 2008

(AP) The Associated Press

 Plain clothed security men try to stop a cameraman from filming a protest by people who were evicted from their homes, at the Qianmen area in Beijing Thursday Aug. 7, 2008. At least two others who have protested their forced evictions ahead of the Olympics were taken from their homes by police on Thursday amid ramped up efforts by activists to use the games to spotlight their causes. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) (AP)

At least two women who have protested being evicted from their homes ahead of the Olympics were rounded up and taken to a police station, amid ramped up efforts Thursday by activists to use the games to spotlight their causes.

Zhang Wei and Ma Xiulan, who have been vocal about the pain of losing their family compounds near Tiananmen Square to make way for Olympic construction, were taken from their homes late Wednesday and early Thursday morning, according to Ma.

The efforts are part of stringent security measures for the games by Chinese communist authorities determined that the Olympics should be an international showcase for the country.

With the world's eyes turned on Beijing in anticipation of the games, which start Friday, activists have stepped up their protests to publicize their causes.

To read whole article go to:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=55
30752

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www.poedpatriot.blogspot.com