Police Arrest A Protester Seeking Rent Reduction As Outbreak Takes Toll on Chinese Businesses

Mary Hong
3/19/2020
Updated:
7/23/2020

Location: Jimo Leather City and Jimo Clothing Wholesale Market, Jimo City

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, lack of business has forced the small business owners to request shopping center landlords to provide rent reduction. Rather than receiving a reply from the landlords, riot police arrived and arrested a merchant. The merchants implored the police: We have not done anything wrong, why are you arresting people? - Lady: Excuse me. Give us a reason. Why are you arresting people? Give a reason.

Police: Don’t push me!

Lady: Why are you arresting people? Give a reason!

Police: Back-off...

Lady: Why are you arresting people? Give a reason!

Man 1: Why are you arresting people without a reason?

Lady: Why are you arresting people? Give a reason!

Man 1: Arresting without a reason!

Lady: Rent Reduction! Rent Reduction! We are here for ourselves! we are here for ourselves!

Crowd: This is violent law enforcement.

Man 1: We have done nothing.

Man 2: Why are you arresting him?

Police: Don’t stir up trouble!

Lady: We have done nothing!

Man 3: What have we done?

Man 4: Can you solve the problem?

Crowd: Why are you arresting people?

Man 4: You can’t solve these problems. Can you arrest everyone in the Market? Can you arrest all of these people? - The protesters gave out material that read: “Postpone and Reduce Rent. Fight The Virus Outbreak.” (延期減租,共抗疫情)