Chinese Villagers’ Homes Forcibly Demolished As They Slept
by Peter Barefoot on Friday, November 9, 2012
Henan Villagers’ Have Their Houses Forcibly Demolished While They Slept , Build Tents for Shelter
[Picture above] 2012 October 31, Luanchuan County Luanchuan Village Luozhuang Countryside, 82-year-old Xu Xianglan collapsed in front of her house, which is now in ruins, her two hands covering her face as tears streamed down.
According to the villagers whose houses were demolished, in the late night of October 21, more than 80 people wearing white gloves and camouflage clothing broke into villagers’ homes, dragged them out while they were sleeping with only their underwear on, and tore down 4 families’ houses with excavators before leaving. Up to now, no one has claimed responsibility for this forced demolition incident, and the local government has already gotten involved and opened an investigation.
82-year-old Xu Xianglan, her hair gray, expressionlessly staring at her house which now has turned into a ruin.
With no place to live, she walks with stumbling steps toward the temporary tent with a “curtain door” with “red double happiness” printed on it.
This picture is of the houses having been destroyed and only being able to set up tents on the roadside.
This picture is of a banner saying “Resist forced demolition, return our homes.”
The villagers have set up tents on the roadside and lit a bonfire in the night, looking after their homes which now are half gone due to forced demolition. This picture is them surrounding a bonfire to keep the cold at bay, as they stand guard over their homes, to prevent their houses from being demolished once again, with the words “resist forced demolition” on the wall behind them, as well as a tall building that is currently under construction.
2012 October 31, the houses of 4 families in Luanchuan County Luanchuan Village Luozhuang Countyside were demolished, leaving a scene of devastation everywhere.
