Forced eviction plagues Chinese homeowners, as local governments make land grabs to get rich quick. The popular takeover of Wukan, Guangdong last winter, and rioting in Zuotan this week, have their root in forced eviction and demolition. Land grabs threaten social upheaval, writes journalist Xiong Peiyun.

Weibo user Baipenyao2012, identifying himself as a Communist Party member, denounced the forced demolition of his home on June 9. According to Baipenyao2012, three families in Beijing’s Baipenyao neighborhood had their homes demolished, and in the struggle with the authorities one resident suffered brain hemorrhaging.

Baipenyao2012: I joined the Party in ’99. I’ve been a senior Party member for over ten years now. I have always obeyed the law, protected our motherland and championed our Party. Yesterday, my house was forcibly demolished, and I was beaten until my skull hemorrhaged. As a Party member, I now seek the support and attention of society at large.

白盆窑2012 ：本人在99年入党，十多年的老党员了，一直以来遵纪守法，用户我们的祖国我们的党，在昨天却遭人拆掉房屋，被打成颅内出血，一个党员的控诉，寻求社会的支持，公众厉害得关注

Baipenyao2012: Our home was demolished, and still no one speaks out. Is this not the land of the Communist Party?

白盆窑2012 ：目前，我们被强拆，还是没有人出来说话，还是共产党的天下吗

Netizens did not react to this man’s post with the sympathy usually afforded victims of forced demolitions. Because of his Party status, many answered responded with scorn. Still, a portion of netizens was somewhat sympathetic, saying no victim of forced demolition should be ridiculed.

Below are a selection of comments on Baipenyao2012’s posts. Read more at CDT Chinese. Translated by Little Bluegill.

CulturalRevolutionMemorial: This is an internal issue¹ for you. It’s not something for us outsiders to get involved in.

文革纪念馆：这属于你们的内政，我们外人不好干预。

JobsYi: This is a most unharmonious note to sound right before the 18th Plenary Session of the People’s Congress. I suspect you aren’t actually a Party member. If this unfolded as you say, you must treat it rationally and examine yourself for its cause. But understanding alone is not enough. Why didn’t you take the initiative to demolish your house before the authorities were forced to do it? Seeing as this issue has already caused problems, the only thing you can do now is turn yourself in and ask for disciplinary action on yourself.

乔布斯易：这是十八大前最不和谐的音符，我怀疑你做为一名党员的真实性，如情况属实，一定要理性对待，在自身上找原因，觉悟肯定是不够的，为什么不自己主动拆掉非要等到强拆呢?鉴于已造成的负面影响，唯有主动请求党纪处分以谢天下。

ScribbleBaba: Party Oath: “I… am prepared at all times to sacrifice everything for the Party and for the people… I implore the organization to test me!”² Your entire life and property all belong to the Party. Have you forgotten?

狂草巴巴: [入党誓词]:“我……随时准备为党和人民牺牲一切……请组织考验我！”你的一切生命和财产都是党的，你忘了？

Wonphen: You have to demonstrate your advanced nature as a Party member, starting with the demolition of your home.  Such a lack of ideological awareness… You’re a senior Party member, alright.

Wonphen：你要发挥你党员的先进性啊，就该从你家拆起，连这点思想觉悟都没有，还是个老党员

LiTing—-2012: You’re a Party insider. You should report anything that happens to you to the Party itself. When you joined the Party you pledged your life to them. Right now the Party wants your crappy house. You’re just flapping your gums. Your Party spirit is weak, my dear.

李婷—–2012: 你是党内的人。发生了一切的事应该跟党说。入党时你已经宣誓了。一生献给党。现在党要你个破屋。你就讥讥歪歪的了。你党性不强啊亲

HappyNoisy3Lives: What, you can’t make a little sacrifice for the Party-state?? Where’d your Party spirit go??

乐翻天闹翻天三世：就不能为党国牺牲点吗？？你的党性哪去了？？

WangZuzhe: So, what you’re saying is that since you’re a Party member you shouldn’t be subjected to forced demolition, but it’s okay for everyone else? You don’t say a word when other folks’ homes are destroyed, but when it’s your turn, all of a sudden, you’re screaming, “I’m a Party member! I’m one of you guys!” Is this right?

王祖哲 : 仅仅身为党员，就不应该遭受强拆；非党员，是可以遭到强拆的——是这个意思吗？这个党员，在别人遭到强拆的时候，一直不吭声，轮到他自己，突然高喊“我是党员，我和你们是一伙的！”这合适吗？

WangXiaotian: What glorious comments. It looks like the Fifty Cent Party has lost a member.

王笑天：看评论，光彩熠熠，我觉得吧，五毛队伍又少一人~

SweetOrange: Looking at all these comments, I’m surprised to see that most people are ridiculing this man. Virtually no one is sympathetic. How would you feel if your house was forcibly demolished? Just because he’s a Party member, does it serve him right?

甜橙橙橙:大概看了下评论，震惊的是大部分人居然都是持讽刺的态度，几乎没有人为他不平。那等哪天我也面对相同的状况，是不是只是因为是个党员就活该被冷嘲热讽？

¹ Chinese officials and press often accuse foreign countries who make a statement on Chinese human rights issues of interfering in “internal affairs.” Meeting with the Dalai Lama and issuing calls to redress the Tiananmen Massacre are frequently condemned by China in this way.
² Full text of the Chinese Communist Party admission oath, from the constitution: “It is my will to join the Communist Party of China, uphold the Party’s program, observe the provisions of the Party Constitution, fulfill a Party member’s duties, carry out the Party’s decisions, strictly observe Party discipline, guard Party secrets, be loyal to the Party, work hard, fight for communism throughout my life, be ready at all times to sacrifice my all for the Party and the people, and never betray the Party.”