Ai Xiaoming @xiaocao07
Days
ago, I learned that Zhu Chengzhi was detained as a criminal. I am very
worried that he could face insane retaliation. This is a crazy age in a
crazy space and time. The last message he sent me is regarding the
detention of Li Wangyang’s sister. He hoped that we can support her.
Soon after, he was also detained by the police.
I
saw Mr. Zhu Chengzhi in a video clip of the three netizens case. In the
video, he stood in the front of the parade and shouted with Ms. Wang
Lihong: Free speech! Long live freedom! On August 12, 2011, I met him in
face for the first time due to Ms. Wang Lihong’s first trial. The day
before, I heard that Ms. Wang was going to have a trial and I traveled
to Peking in a hurry. I was not sure whom to be met since many friends
were under surveillance. Early in the morning at the east railway
station of Beijing, I called a friend He Yang (also Lihong’s friend and a
documentary producer) and asked him to pick me up. He Yang arrived with
a thin and tall elder, Zhu Chengzhi.
Zhu Chengzhi and He Yang at Beijing east station to pick me up. 8/12/2011
That
morning we went to the detention center of Chaoyang district. We wanted
to send money to Ms. Wang. But the police did not allow us and told us
Ms. Wang did not need money. We know that other friends of Lihong sent
her money often time. We went there to let her know: inside or outside
of the detention center, we are all together. we also wanted to let the
police know: you detained a respectful citizen. Such activity is
injustice and violation of the constitution!
Zhu Chengzhi in front of the detention center of Chaoyang District 8/12/2011
That
day we also went to the home of two sisters Ye Jinhua and Ye Jinchun.
Both of them are rights activists in Peking. We interviewed Lihong’s
lawyer Liu Xiaoyuan. In the evening, Brother Zhu, Tiantian and myself
went to Lihong’s home. We cleaned Lihong’s rooms and discarded many
rotten food in the fridge. I found the mooncakes that I sent in last
mid-autumn were still there. She may want to save them and share with
friends. Yet there was no opportunity. In 2011, many many sad things
happened. (Remark, Ms. Wang was detained and lost freedom for about
eight months in 2011).
In
the kitchen, Brother Zhu watered a plant. That was a yam. Lihong put it
on a basel. In several months, it grew into feet long leaves. Brother
Zhu said: these leaves contain many nutritions. When making the
documentary, I thought about people like Lihong and Brother Zhu. They
are just like yams, so simple so nice. Yet their hearts are full of
compassion and strength. Facing unthinkable cruelty from the outside,
they still give strength and meaning of life.
The
second time I met Brother Zhu was on the night before Li Hong’s second
trial. Lihong’s son Xiao Qi went to the airport to pick me up. We then
waited and pick up Brother Zhu who also traveled to Peking through air. I
dragged a luggage with video equipment with a broken handle. The handle
was broken for long time. At Ye Jinhua’s home, Brother Zhu repaired the
handle in several minutes. He was such a handy man! We all hurried to
Peking via air upon learning the trial time. On Sep. 9, 2011 early
morning, we arrived together at the WenYuhe courthouse of Chaoyang
District. My heavy luggage was taken care by Brother Zhu. And he walked
very fast. Brother Zhu said this is a piece of cake and nobody believed
that he was already 60 years old.
Outside the courthouse during Li Hong’s second trial. Lao Zhu and Xiao Qi.
After the first trial: an accountant for Ai weiwei, Lao Zhu, Ai Xiaoming and a netizen from Shanghai
Twice
I was with Brother Zhu at the courthouse during Lihong’s trials. In my
documentaries “Let there be sunshine” and “post cards” , Brother Zhu can
be seen. He talked with foreign media to prove that Wang Lihong did not
violated any law at all. He and other friends including Zhao Lianhai
cried out loud in front of the courthouse: Let Wang Lihong go home! No
language is enough to describe Brother Zhu. Even you meet him for the
first time, you know he is a long time friend no see. He is a friend
that you can rely upon.
I
did not meet Brother Zhu in face after that. I heard all his news from
the internet. The day Lihong was sentenced, I had appointments and could
not go to the courthouse. Brother Zhu went there and was detained by
the police. Later on, he kept writing petitions to ask people support Li
Wangyang. In the past six months, my father got ill and I stayed at
home to take care of him. Rarely did I get on the net and I did not
reply the last message from Brother Zhu. I didn’t expect that after many
years of torture as a political prisoner, Mr. Li wangyang was killed
just after release! I signed my name on the petition letter proposed by
Prof. Xia Yeliang of Beijing University et al to call for an
investigation of his death. I want to pay my tribute to Mr. Li
Wangyang’s spirit. I also want to support Mr. Zhu Chengzhi, a man I
respect enormously.
Brother
Zhu was once a successful entrepreneur. His property was illegally
taken away and he became a petitioner and visited Peking for many years
for his lawsuits. On the day of Lihong’s second trial, we went back from
the courthouse. Lao Zhu said, next time he will invite many friends to
Yunan. The place is enormously beautiful. Houses are enormously huge and
everything you can see trees and plants. Before leaving Peking, Lao Zhu
could not find his broken cell phone and tried very hard to find it. He
purchased the cheapest railway ticket to go to Hunan province. It can
be found that Lao Zhu was very thrifty at that time and he must have tough financial situation. Yet in order to catch the trial, he spent a lot to
travel by air to Peking. On his way back, he had to tolerate the
uncomfortable railway seat for long hours. In my impression, Lao Zhu was
not only very thrifty on spending, he also ate very simple food. His
own words are: just give me corn and pumkin.
I
hope to learn the good news about Brother Zhu. I hope he can eat Zong
zi for this dragon boat festival. Yet, after ten days detention, he was
again sent to another detention house. I cannot be optimistic. At home,
his 97-year old mother is expecting his release. His wife and two
daughters are expecting his release …
I
recalled the words of Lihong when she evaluated herself and her
involvement of the three-netizen case: You Jinyou was punished by the
police for his righteous action, then I can also be punished.
Right
now, Zhu Chengzhi lost freedom and endangered his own life for his
righteous action; tomorrow, we will pay the same price. The lost of
freedom Zhu Chengzhi means that every one of us has lost freedom. One is
too many!!!
Therefore,
however plain my language is, I have to speak out. The police may never
listen. Yet I wish my crying will be heard by Brother Zhu: Your friends
are crying out loud towards the world: Zhu Chengzhi is NOT guilty!
Free Zhu Chengzhi!
video clips of the supporting group activities during the first and second trials of Wang Lihong:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL97D4A425A0CECFE0
