Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/cnforbiddennews Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/chinaforbiddennews Beijing has sentenced New Citizens' Movement founder Xu Zhiyong to a four year jail term. What are other official crackdowns from Beijing will follow the landmark case of the New Citizens' Movement, and what is the general public's reaction and response to the heavy sentence? New Citizens' Movement members Ding Jiaxi, Li Wei, Yuan Dong and Zhang Baocheng, accused of disturbing public order, were tried on Jan. 27 in the Beijing Haidian District Court. This latest incident following Xu Zhiyong's trial has once again drawn media attention globally. Beijing Intermediate People's Court delivered Xu Zhiyong's four years in prison sentence on Jan. 26. The court was heavily guarded during Xu's trial on Jan. 22. The police cordoned off the outside of the court, and tightly secured the surrounding area. Many visitors in support of Xu Zhiyong petitioners were driven away, beaten and arrested. A CNN reporter trying to do a live broadcast report was also shoved into a police van in front the camera. Liu Jinxing, artist: "Because of Xu Zhiyong's trial and the New Citizens' Movement, it (CCP) would not let us go to the court. The police are still at my door watching me six days later, and they still haven't left." Dissidents such as human rights activist Hu Jia have been under house arrest in Beijing. Police abducted Hu Jia from his home on the afternoon of Jan. 26 on suspicion he may "make trouble". Hu Jia's lawyer Mo Shaoping told NTD that he has paid close attention to the situation of Hu Jia. Mo Shaoping: "If Hu Jia is not released within 24 hours, the Public Security must proceed with legal procedures and documents for detention, arrest, etc. At that time, as his lawyer, I am obliged to intervene and to meet him." At 7pm on Jan. 27, Hu Jia's wife Zeng Jinyan confirmed on Twitter that Hu Jia is back at home and is under house arrest. During the suppression of the New Citizens' Movement, Xu Zhiyong has received much support from academia, such as professors Gan Peizhong and Peng Bing of Peking University Law School, professor Yao Huanqing of Renmin University of China Law School, professor Wang Yong of China University of Political Science and Law, and associate professor He Haibo of Tsinghua University School of Law. They have jointly published an article, "Why we think he's innocent - Review of Xu Zhiyong's case." Jurist and Co-founder of Open Constitution Initiative Teng Biao also drafted a public proposal to investigate violations of constitutional laws on the rights to assembly and demonstration. Over 70 scholars and lawyers signed the proposal in one day. Teng Biao, jurist: "China's constitution protects the rights to assembly and demonstration. But, in practice, laws protecting rights to assembly, and demonstration have been deprived by various means. I think the authority of the Constitution and the fundamental rights of freedom according to international human rights treaties mustn't be violated." While Beijing suppresses the New Citizens' Movement, beneficiaries of the Educational Equality promoted by Xu Zhiyong voluntarily donated more than 10,000 yuan. Representatives delivered the donation in their visit to Xu Zhiyong's wife, Cui Zheng, who just gave birth to a baby girl in a Beijing hospital on Jan. 13. Representative: "I hope professor Xu and Wang Gongquan will regain their freedom soon. I want the child to be healthy, and I want her to know that though her father is in jail, he was doing righteous things." Facing suppression on every side, artist Liu Jinxing says the already awakened people will fight to the end. Liu Jinxing: "This is political persecution against Xu Zhiyong and the New Citizens' Movement for property declaration. We will continue the fight. Those who have a conscience will fight it, for the most basic conscience." Jia Pin is actively involved in the Southern Street Movement, a movement similar to the New Citizens' Movement. He recently introduced on Twitter: Southern Street Movement encourages netizens to voluntarily conduct protests in the streets with placards calling for democracy and freedom. Jia Pin and many democracy activists have actively participated in this movement. 《神韵》2014世界巡演新亮点 http://www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org/

• published: 28 Jan 2014
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