On March 8th, which is International Women’s Day, volunteers who have long been concerned about the group of individuals said to be “mentally ill” in mainland China initiated a warming activity to show support. Volunteers from Chongqing, Chengdu, Wuxi, and Enshi held banners and other forms of expression to send holiday greetings and sincere care to women like Xu Xinrui who are detained in the DeKang Hospital in Chengdu and other women facing difficulties due to being labeled as “mentally ill”.
The volunteers behind this activity go by the online alias “Witnessing Dragons in the Fields”. They explained that caring volunteers from various cities such as Chongqing, Chengdu in Sichuan Province, Wuxi in Jiangsu Province, and Enshi in Hubei Province participated in these simultaneous advocacy activities. Through actions like displaying banners in public spaces, chanting slogans, and organizing gatherings in their respective cities, they aimed to convey the message to the society to respect the rights of “mentally ill patients” to choose their care methods according to the law.
In Chengdu, volunteers gathered at the Tianfu International Conference Center to express their concern towards Xu Xinrui at the DeKang Hospital in Chengdu from a distance.
In Chongqing, volunteers chose a local office in a community to send sincere wishes for International Women’s Day to Xu Xinrui facing Chengdu, hoping for her swift return to society to enjoy a normal life of freedom and dignity.
“Witnessing Dragons in the Fields” stated, “Despite the geographical distance among the compassionate volunteers from four cities, they are united in their efforts to speak up for Xu Xinrui’s physical and mental well-being, as well as her legal rights, during this significant holiday, providing her with respect, companionship, and support from the society.”
While engaging in street activities, the volunteers also utilized social media and WeChat groups to instantly share visuals of the activities, allowing netizens to feel the profound significance of this day on International Women’s Day.
This activity was entirely voluntary as the volunteers registered themselves, and after negotiation, they decided on the content and format of the activity. Unexpectedly, what initially started as a small-scale street activity in one region quickly garnered positive responses from netizens in other provinces and cities, amplifying the impact and influence of this advocacy campaign.
The volunteers urge the government in the Chenghua District of Chengdu to legally fulfill their duties, respect Xu Xinrui’s personal wishes, and protect her basic right to choose her care method freely. Xu Xinrui should have the freedom to select between staying in DeKang Hospital in Chengdu, residing in other welfare institutions, or receiving care at home.
The initiators and organizers emphasized that respecting citizens’ wishes, safeguarding human dignity and the right to choose legally are fundamental requirements of a rule of law society. They called upon relevant departments to administer according to the law, act responsibly for the people, effectively safeguard Xu Xinrui’s legal rights, not restrict or deprive her of her statutory rights, ensuring that every individual labeled as “mentally ill” is seen, respected, treated kindly, and protected by the law. They hope for every woman to live safely, freely, and with dignity under the sun.
The official account “Shining the Dragon” also published a post in solidarity: “On this special day dedicated to women, let us set aside worldly distractions and the passage of time, and instead, let us send our warmest blessings to those who silently endure and courageously move forward.”
The article expresses, “In the journey of life, we will always encounter unexpected storms and face fears and confusion beyond our control… We do not know how many unknown sufferings they have endured or how much silent grievances they have swallowed; we do not know how many nights they have shed tears alone but persevered bravely each morning. They may be unknown to many, but they deserve our eternal remembrance and respect.
“Today, March 8th, with the gentle spring breeze and everything flourishing, we wish the willows and Xu Xinrui well. May every act of kindness be greeted gently by time!”
Anti-corruption and rights activists stated that during the tenure of former Deputy Governor and former Director of the Public Security Department Ye Hanbing in Sichuan Province, the public security system in Sichuan became a tool for suppressing individuals advocating against corruption and upholding rights, particularly affecting our female compatriots, who were illegally kidnapped, detained, imprisoned, persecuted, and sent to mental hospitals for cruel mistreatment by corrupt criminals within the public security system. Despite Ye Hanbing’s downfall, the lingering effects persist.
They sternly warned the corrupt elements within the Sichuan public security system to immediately release individuals like Xu Xinrui and Li Yanli who have been illegally detained as mentally ill.