July 28, 2008
Hanoi – A banner denouncing corruption, inflation, the expropriation of Vietnamese territories by the Chinese government, and demanding democracy in Vietnam was unfurled from highway bridge Thang Long – Noi Bai, overlooking the southern entrance to the city .
The 10 square meter banner was hung at 7:30 am in the morning of July 28 by four activists. After hanging the banner, they stayed around to talk to onlookers.
With yellow letters on a red background, the banner read:
Corruption sucks the blood of the people Inflation is killing the people Surrendering the land, sea and islands of Vietnam is a crime against our ancestors We demand the Communist Party to immediately allow democracy, pluralism, and a multiparty state.
The activists chose the time and place because of they wanted many people to read the message before the police could tear it down. The Vietnamese Communist Party, which holds a monopoly on political power, is very quick to punish anything that is likely to threaten its reign. For this action, the dissidents are likely to face several years’ imprisonment under Article 88 of the Penal Code, which punishes “propaganda against the state and the Communist Party.”
