Recently, in Datong, Shanxi, a female student was buying grilled sausages at the school gate when the vice principal of the school forcibly took away her electric bike key and house key. The girl broke down in tears, pleading loudly for the keys to be returned, but the vice principal heartlessly walked straight into the school without a second thought. After the video of the incident was exposed, it sparked widespread sympathy among netizens. In the following days, many students and citizens gathered at the school gate holding grilled sausages in solidarity with the female student.
According to the video posted by a netizen, a female student at Datong No. 4 Middle School had her electric bike key and house key forcefully taken away by a male staff member wearing a vest after buying grilled sausages at the school gate. The girl burst into tears on the spot and chased after the staff member repeatedly pleading, “Give it back to me, please give it back to me,” her voice sounding heart-wrenching. However, the staff member remained firm, continuing to walk towards the school gate, even saying, “Let’s see if I will give it back to you.”
The person who filmed the video stated that the female student had to enter the school and was verbally criticized before finally getting her keys back.
The plight of the female student has drawn widespread attention and sympathy. Netizens couldn’t help but question, “Since when do school staff also take on the role of urban management and market supervision authority?” Some netizens pointed out that the school’s actions aimed to monopolize student dining, forcing students to consume only at the school cafeteria.
After the incident, many students in Datong, Shanxi, went to Datong No. 4 Middle School to buy grilled sausages in support of the female student at the school gate. This action quickly spread from students to local citizens, with more and more people going to the school to take photos, check-in, and enjoy grilled sausages.
Some netizens also reminded others that checking-in at night had limited impact, and lunchtime and after school were the prime times. Furthermore, some netizens suggested, “For friends visiting Datong, should they bring grilled sausages and keys, and take a photo at Datong No. 4 Middle School?”
On November 4th, Datong No. 4 Middle School issued a statement regarding the incident, stating that at 12:00 p.m. on November 1st (lunchtime when school ended), a student of the school parked their electric bike in the south gate passage that students used when purchasing snacks. “At that time, it was the peak flow of students after school, in order to avoid congestion and affect other students’ travel, the vice principal on duty tried to persuade the student to leave but failed, leading to the removal of the student’s bike key and a dispute.”
The school’s report also mentioned that both parties had inappropriate behavior and after being criticized and educated, they had reached mutual understanding.
However, netizens raised doubts, questioning the fact that November 1st was a Saturday, and the school gate was closed. “Where was the peak flow of students after school?” “There was no peak student flow in the video.” “By removing the key, didn’t it further obstruct traffic since the bike couldn’t be moved?” “What was the student’s fault? Buying a piece of sausage on a Saturday after school?”
Some netizens sarcastically commented, “Bowing half a lifetime in front of the leaders, and now straightening up in front of the students.”