Ran Yunfei Twitters Outside Husband Tan Zuoren’s Trial

By chinafreepress.org (translation)
Aug 12, 2009 – 4:59:46 AM

Tan Zuoren’s wife and relatives were not allowed to observe his “open” trial since the courtroom was packed with court employees, just as at the earthquake activist Huang Qi’s trial. Police were out in force (three busloads of police in riot gear) by the courthouse, forbade photography and confiscated cameras if they saw anyone taking pictures.

Ran Yunfei (Tan Zuoren’s Wife) Twitter Post:

Today many people are coming from outside Chengdu for Tan Zuoren’s trial including many parents from the countryside and many people from different parts of Chengdu society who see Tan Zuoren as a friend who want to lend their voices in his support. I hope the courts and prosecution will see what public opinion really is as they try to do this frame-up of Tan Zuoren. They should see that their high pressure and rough tactics will not make us retreat. On matters of human dignity, freedom and the human rights of other people, these are simple demands and we have already backed down to a place from which we can retreat no further. China belongs to all of the Chinese people – it doesn’t belong just to the officials or the rich tycoons or to the mighty. If they can see that, they will need to make some gradual, progressive reforms in the political system. Officials need to understand that the space remaining in which reforms can be carried out is getting narrower and narrower. We are compelled to tell them that they need to pay more attention to this point. Whether we achieve a soft landing or everything is overturned and things get out of control depends entirely upon how officials can propel society smoothly forward towards democracy and freedom. I need say no more on what is the proper course to follow.

Full Chinese report: http://www.twitter.com/ranyunfei

Ran Yunfei’s blog also has a new post about the trial today. A translation of the second to last paragraph: