Chinese dissident faces jail for poem on Skype
A Chinese dissident who sent out a poem on Skype called It’s Time is facing a stiff jail sentence for “inciting subversion of state power”. Activist Zhu Yufu went on trial on Tuesday this week in Hangzhou, after being arrested last April. A version of the poem that has circulated on the internet says: "It's time, Chinese people! / The square belongs to everyone / The feet are yours / It's time to use your feet and take to the square to make a choice." Zhu has been jailed before for his pro-democracy activism, in 1999 for seven years and in 2007 for two years. The court is expected to deliver its verdict later this month.
http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/china-dissident-poet-zhu-yufu-charged-with-subversion-for-a-poem/
http://uncut.indexoncensorship.org/2012/01/zhu-yufu-subversion-poetry-china/
M.C. Newberry
Thu 2nd Feb 2012 12:37
Apropos a post elsewhere on this site about
political poetry - here is the reality of its
place in a repressive, running-scared regime
that presumes to take a place in the civilised
world. When its politically employed are able
to lead rather than dictate and terrorise, that
place may be earned. In the meantime, the human voice will continue to speak out. And
that is how it should be - and how it must be.
One day, perhaps, the Chinese authorities may
mature enough to realise that and be worthy of
the trust and respect of their people.