in Shanghai, residents dare to openly challenge the city’s confinement

Screams and whistles echo through the bars of buildings in this district of Shanghai. The inhabitants went out to the windows of their apartments to denounce the very strict confinement imposed on them by the authorities. The images of this sequence were broadcast on Saturday April 9 on Twitter. The scene is unprecedented in China, where this kind of protest is extremely rare. Censorship on Chinese social media generally prevents this type of expression.

After several days of confinement, residents of the neighborhood let their anger out, tired of the very harsh health restrictions. The author of the video says: “At the beginning, some people shouted, then suddenly everyone started shouting. Because all these people do not know how long this confinement will last and why the measure has been decided. If it lasts a long time, there is will have problems.”

What the?? This video taken yesterday in Shanghai, China, by the father of a close friend of mine. She verified its authenticity: People screaming out of their windows after a week of total lockdown, no leaving your apartment for any reason. pic.twitter.com/iHGOO8D8Cz

— Patrick Madrid ✌ (@patrickmadrid) April 9, 2022

The tension rises, especially because of the lack of food. In some neighborhoods, demonstrations have been reported and residents are exasperated. “I don’t care, even if the Communist Party arrests me. Besides, where is communism? I no longer have the means to live. My store is closedloose a man visibly exhausted.

Worried about the challenge to their “Zero Covid” policy, local authorities announced on Monday morning the division of the city into three sectors – confined zone, control zone and prevention zone – suggesting that some Shanghai residents could regain their freedom. of movement. It remains to be seen when the measure will apply on the ground.