Let the Sun Shine on the Ground

September 8, 2011 Comments Off

Wang Lihong (王荔蕻), 55, was criminally detained for “creating a disturbance” on March 21 during the government’s crackdown following online calls for “Jasmine Revolution.” Wang was formally arrested on April 21. The charge against her was later changed to “gathering a crowd to disrupt traffic order,” and in mid-July the procuratorate approved her case for prosecution, but under the original charge of “creating a disturbance.” On August 12, trial proceedings opened and then concluded after two-and-a-half hours. According to her attorneys, the proceedings were marred by many procedural flaws and the case itself has all along been rife with errors in the investigation and indictment stages. On September 9, Wang was convicted of “creating a disturbance” and sentenced to nine months in prison by the Chaoyang District People’s Court in Beijing.

The charge against Wang is tied to her support for the “Fujian Three” netizens who were convicted of slander last year, and in particular to the large crowd of netizens who, along with Wang, gathered in peaceful protest outside their sentencing hearing on April 16, 2010.

“Let the Sun Shine on the Ground” (让阳光洒到地上) is a documentary about Wang Lihong made by Ai Xiaoming (艾晓明), an activist and filmmaker. It includes interviews of Wang’s family, friends, her lawyers, and fellow netizens.