Saturday, May 10, 2008
Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News

DETROIT — A small number of human rights activists appalled by what they call abuses by the Chinese government, or supported by that government, protested Saturday at Grand Circus Park in Detroit.

The peaceful protest of about 40 included a walk around the blocks that encompassed the park.

Protesters have organized similar efforts in other cities in advance of the summer Olympics in Beijing.

“We are not protesting the Olympics at all,” said Jeanmarie Lunsford, spokeswoman for the Human Rights Torch Relay. “We are protesting the Chinese government.”

Musicians played folk music while two young women wearing Greek-inspired gowns and holding flaming torches stood near signs decrying the Chinese government. There were several speakers, most of whom made sure to differentiate between the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Jillian McLaughlin, a 19-year-old sophomore at Kalamazoo College, said she came to the protest to show support for human rights. She said China has not kept its promise to improve how it treats people.

“It is important to have a spotlight on the issue,” she said.

Lunsford’s group alleges a host of human rights abuses, including a government crackdown on the Falun Gong and protesters in Tibet, participation in genocide in Darfur and persecution of Christians, lawyers, reporters and others who speak out against the government.

Several speakers addressed the demonstrators, including U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia. He received a human rights torch meant to symbolize the Olympic torch and stand as a symbol of those who cannot speak up for themselves, organizers said.

“The Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot coexist in China,” said Susan Prager, the USA outreach director for the efforts. “The Chinese people deserve to host an Olympics free of oppression by the communist regime … China was granted the Olympics on condition that it would improve human rights; instead, human rights have worsened.”

But interest in the Olympics remains high, with events already sold out, according to published reports. China has toughened visa restrictions to block protestors, and ramped up security, according to the Associated Press.

For more information, visit www.HumanRightsTorch.org.

You can reach Santiago Esparza at (313) 222-2127 or sesparza@detnews.com.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080510/METRO/80510 0400