Activist Xu Zhiyong, arrested on July 16th after three months of house arrest, has called on others to help “build a free, public-spirited, loving and good China” in a video apparently smuggled out of the prison by a visitor. From Ivan Zhai and Patrick Boehler at South China Morning Post:
“No matter in how corrupted and absurd society is, this country needs some courageous citizens to stand up, stick to their faith and realise rights, obligations and dreams,” said Xu, a prominent leader of the New Citizen Movement.
The video message, which was recorded on a phone on August 1, appeared to have been made in secret by someone visiting him in detention. Xu is seen wearing a orange jail vest and speaking from behind bars.
[…] Xu said in the video message that he had committed three crimes: to call for the realisation of citizens’ constitutional rights and obligations, for equal opportunity in education and for the declaration of assets by officials. [Source]
The video, for now in Chinese only:
See also a Chinese transcript and English translation, and more on Xu Zhiyong and the New Citizens’ Movement via CDT.
