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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 the wake of a fatal fire in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China's strict zero-Covid policy has sparked a wave of protests across the country. Protesters, many of them first-time activists, have had to get creative with low-tech organizing methods to escape surveillance and censorship, such as holding blank pieces of paper in public, scrawling graffiti in bathroom stalls on university campuses, and relying on word of mouth. Digital tactics such as WeChat, Baidu Cloud, and Telegram are also being used, but with caution and the understanding that censorship could shut them down. As protesters continue to fight for political change and an end to Covid-19 lockdowns, some elderly citizens have shown support for the movement, even if they don't fully understand it.

Q&As

What tactics have Chinese protesters been using to spread their message?
Chinese protesters have been using tactics such as graffiti, flyers, word of mouth, blank pieces of paper, coded WeChat messages, VPNs, and AirDrop to spread their message.

What have been the biggest sources of information for protesters?
The biggest sources of information for protesters have been WeChat, Baidu Cloud links, Telegram, Instagram, and an Italy-based Chinese influencer using the handle @whyyoutouzhele.

What are the motivations of the protesters?
The motivations of the protesters include calling for an end to the zero-Covid policy, demanding democracy and rule of law, and calling for President Xi Jinping to step down.

What has been the response of the Chinese government to the protests?
The Chinese government has pledged to crack down on “infiltration and sabotage activities by hostile forces” and has started interrogating protesters and checking people’s phones on the streets to check if they have foreign apps and VPNs.

How have the protesters been empowered by taking part in the protests?
The protesters have been empowered by taking part in the protests by feeling alive again and feeling a bit hopeful again. They have also been encouraged by the support of others, such as motorists honking their horns in solidarity and an elderly woman on a bicycle stopping to ask for directions.

AI Comments

👍 It is inspiring to see young people come together and peacefully protest against the oppressive policies of their government. This article captures the inspiring stories of the protesters and their courage to speak out in the face of risk.

👎 The protesters are taking huge risks by organizing protests in the face of a powerful surveillance apparatus and risk of detention or account shutdown. It is concerning that the Chinese government continues to censor online information and limit freedom of speech.

AI Discussion

Me: It talks about the recent protests in China and how protesters are using low-tech methods to organize and spread the message since they are worried about being surveilled and censored. They are using things like graffiti, flyers, and word of mouth to get the word out, and protesters are calling for democracy, rule of law, and an end to the country's strict zero-Covid policy.

Friend: That's really interesting. It's amazing how creative people can be when it comes to circumventing censorship and surveillance.

Me: Absolutely. It's a testament to the power of the people and their determination to be heard. I think it's also really important to note that these protests are not just about the zero-Covid policy, but also about demanding democracy and rule of law, which shows the depth of discontent in China. It will be interesting to see how the government responds to this wave of civil disobedience.

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 they are using to organize.
Share information about the protests and the tactics being used to organize them with others, both online and offline.

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 service that encrypts and redirects internet traffic and masks a user's IP address.
WeChat: A Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app.
AirDrop: A feature on Apple devices that allows users to share files wirelessly.
A4 Revolution: A nickname for the current wave of protests in China, referring to the blank pieces of paper held up by protesters.
Telegram: A cloud-based instant messaging and voice over IP service.
Instagram: A photo and video-sharing social networking service.
Focus Mode: A feature on iPhones that allows users to hide certain apps.
Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission: The top law enforcement body of the Chinese Communist Party.