Bloomberg News reported on Sept. 19 that Beijing authorities had locked down the capital, restricting road and subway traffic and shutting down hundreds of shops, as the military rehearses for Oct. 1 parades to mark the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic.
Soho China Ltd.’s Newtown, located on a street corner where tanks must pass en route to the Tiananmen Square celebrations, asked tenants of all 1,897 apartments and 283 offices to vacate from noon until midnight. The CCP also ordered the shutdown of all 48 shops in the community.
Thousands Locked Out
With thousands of shops and apartments vacated to prevent the public from viewing military equipment and rehearsals during the day, tens of thousands of Chinese were available to participate in neighborhood security patrols. The purpose was to thwart any frustrated workers from organizing and marching in the streets.
Starting on Sept. 19, patrols were seen walking in the streets of Beijing and holding small beach umbrellas for sunburn protection.The so-called "volunteer neighborhood security staff" used to wear just red armbands, which were made by people from all walks of life, including retirees.
The “red armbands,” as they are called, are now dressed in a red hat, a yellow or light- blue, long-sleeved T-shirt, and the ubiquitous red armband. The Communist Party is alleged to have spent US$5.9 million in order to dress the recruits in the new distinctive clothing.
According to Beijing resident Ms. Wu, uniforms were made for all sorts of people, including "counter salespersons from small shops, … neighborhood activists, or staff of neighborhood committees, and even cleaners.”
Many Beijing residents think such measures do more than just waste money. “In this situation, you can’t celebrate with others. You can only celebrate by yourself. The regime guards against common people [gathering together], as if they are their enemies,” Ms. Wu said.
Another Beijing resident, who spoke to the Epoch Times reporter regarding the parade and the CCP on condition of anonymity, said that the regime does not have any intention of resolving practical issues for the common people and that the "achievements" of the Communist Party are only superficial symbols of prosperity.
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