Mark Magnier reports in the Los Angeles Times, from Beijing:
The eight foreigners detained Wednesday near the Olympic Village after unfurling a “Free Tibet” banner followed pole sitters, pirate radio jocks and slogan-shouting Christian activists in finding holes through China’s security operation to challenge its human rights policies.
The question is whether their protests will make any difference.
In the short term, such stunts do little more than gain publicity for their causes. Given the government’s skill at controlling information, their message is unlikely to reach many Chinese citizens.
And though some human rights activists urge using quieter means to press for change, China is more sensitive to foreign pressure than it acknowledges. Some say wacky antics can heighten global attention that eventually could lead to greater openness.
