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Rare civil action in Hanoi, Vietnam
On Sunday March 14, 2010 a group of young Vietnamese democracy activists gathered in central Hanoi, the Hoan Kiem lake, to distribute shirts and hat emblazoned with “Hoang Sa, Truong Sa, Viet Nam”, meaning “Paracel, Spratly Islands belong to Vietnam”. The activists belong to the pro-democracy group, Viet Tan.
The peaceful hat and shirt distribution might seem common in free countries but in Vietnam which is under tight control and dictatorship of the Vietnam Communist Party, this is an unprecedented civil action which could get the activists years behind bars if caught.
Vietnam has for years been in territorial disputes with China. Concerned about national sovereignty Vietnamese students took to the streets in late 2007. The protests landed a prominent blogger and activist Dieu Cay 2.5 years in prison. Several activists and bloggers were arrested and imprisoned in 2009.
The public appearance of Viet Tan members in Hanoi on this beautiful Sunday created enthusiasm among many Vietnamese. People were eager to get a shirt and hat and gladly posed for the camera. They seemed unafraid and even happy and proud to express their views of national sovereignty over the disputed islands.
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