Police Crack Down on Sichuan Railway Protests

Tens of thousands of people marched in Linshui County in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan over the weekend of May 16 and 17 to protest against the government’s decision not to build a regional rail link. The original proposal had the much-anticipated railway passing though the isolated Linshui, while a new plan moved it farther west to Guangan City, the hometown of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.

The announcement sparked outrage among Linshui residents, and images on Chinese social media showed bloody scenes during clashes between the demonstrators and riot police. The BBC said the Sichuan provincial government released a statement on Monday, May 18, saying the proposed route had not been discussed in detail yet and asked the Linshui people to be sensible and calm.

This video, shared by Radio Free Asia, show police beating at least one demonstrator. Credit: Radio Free Asia