Reporting from Saigon, June 27, 2007
This morning at 8:30 am, June 27 2007, we spoke with the aggrieved citizens from Tien Giang. They were preparing to continue their protest in front of Congressional Office II. Despite the harsh weather (rain and heat) and the tough lodging conditions, they have been sleeping on the pavement for the past few nights. These people are determined to continue their protest and will not give up until their requests are honored in an acceptable way.
We were informed by the protesters that a high level elected official from Hanoi promised a meeting today to ask the Tien Giang authorities to resolve the problems.
The protesters, however, are doubtful that promise will fulfilled and continue to wait and see what today will bring them. The authorities have made such promises in the past but nothing has been resolved. Thus, the protest is still continuing.
According to our sources, two people who carried the banners fainted June 25, 2007 due to the heat. They were taken to the emergency room where one of them was diagnosed as critically dehydrated. This person has since recovered and has joined the protest again.
