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Graffiti, flyers, word of mouth: China’s protesters embrace low-tech organizing to escape surveillance

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Summary

In response to a deadly fire in Urumqi, Xinjiang, that resulted from the country's strict zero-Covid policy, protests have erupted in major cities across China, representing the biggest wave of civil disobedience in decades. To avoid censorship, protesters are turning to low-tech organizing tactics such as graffiti, flyers, and word of mouth. They are also using digital tools like WeChat and Baidu Cloud, although they are aware that these are subject to censorship. Protesters are calling for an end to the zero-Covid policy, democracy, and rule of law. They have also been carrying blank pieces of paper as a way to spread awareness about the protests and their various causes. Despite the communication limitations, protestors have found ways to come together and voice their dissent.

Q&As

How have Chinese protesters been organizing protests in the face of surveillance?
Chinese protesters have been organizing protests using low-tech methods such as graffiti, flyers, word of mouth, blank pieces of paper, and coded WeChat messages.

What protests have been taking place in China over the past week?
The protests that have taken place over the past week have been calling for an end to the country’s strict zero-Covid policy, democracy and rule of law, and for President Xi Jinping to step down.

What methods have Chinese protesters been using to bypass censorship and spread the message?
Chinese protesters have been using methods such as WeChat messages, VPNs, AirDrop, leaflets, and graffiti to bypass censorship and spread the message.

What are the various reasons motivating people to protest in China?
The various reasons motivating people to protest in China include calling for an end to the country’s strict zero-Covid policy, democracy and rule of law, and for President Xi Jinping to step down.

What have been the reactions of the Chinese government and the general public to the recent wave of protests?
The Chinese government has pledged to crack down on “infiltration and sabotage activities by hostile forces” and police have started interrogating protesters and checking people’s phones on the streets. The general public has been supportive of the protests, with some motorists honking their horns in solidarity and an elderly woman on a bicycle stopping to ask for directions and expressing her support for the protesters.

AI Comments

👍 This article highlights the inspiring and creative ways that protesters in China are organizing to overcome censorship and surveillance in order to stand up for their rights. It is encouraging to see that the protests are receiving widespread support from the public.

👎 The article does not mention the potential consequences of these protests for the protesters, such as the possibility of being detained or having their accounts shut down. This is an important factor to consider when discussing the risks of protesting in China.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how protesters in China are using low-tech forms of organizing, such as graffiti and word-of-mouth, to avoid surveillance and censorship by the authorities. It talks about how they are trying to spread their message without running the risk of being arrested or having their accounts shut down.

Friend: That's interesting. It's good that they are finding ways to protest without having to resort to online methods that could potentially get them in trouble. It's also important that they are taking advantage of public spaces like campus bulletin boards and bathroom stalls to spread their message.

Me: Yeah, it definitely shows that people are still determined to fight for their rights and express their opinions, even in the face of censorship and surveillance. It's also interesting to note that the tactics used in this protest are similar to the ones used in the 2019 protest movement in Hong Kong, albeit on a much smaller scale. It's a reminder that citizens in China still have the right to peacefully express their views, even if it's not as easy as it is in other countries.

Action items

Research and learn more about the protests in China and the current wave of civil disobedience.
Reach out to people in China to learn more about the protests and the tactics used to organize them.
Share information about the protests with others to raise awareness and support the cause.

Technical terms

Great Firewall: A system of internet censorship in China that blocks access to certain websites and online services.
VPN: Virtual Private Network, a secure connection between two networks over the internet.
WeChat: A Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app.
AirDrop: A feature of Apple devices that allows users to share files wirelessly.
Censorship: The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, politically incorrect or inconvenient as determined by governments, media outlets, authorities or other groups or institutions.
Euphemism: A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission: The top law enforcement body of the Chinese Communist Party.