Cops Turn China Protesters Into Propaganda

Beijing police feed arrested visitors fried chicken, deport them

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 15, 2008 7:09 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Rev. Patrick Mahoney posed for pictures during his interrogation in Beijing—half of it, anyway. Over 7 hours, police ran a classic good cop/bad cop routine on Mahoney, who had unfurled a “Jesus Christ is King” banner in Tiananmen Square, he tells the Washington Post. "They wanted to document our treatment," says Mahoney.

Under China’s image-conscious plan for dealing with protesters, official protest zones sit empty. Meanwhile, activists who land in police custody find photographers capturing their seemingly pleasant experience, which often includes a trip to Kentucky Fried Chicken. “They were very conscious of appearances,” said another protester. “There were no obvious signs of brutality.”

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An armed police officer stands guard in downtown Beijing, Thursday, July 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Armed police officers stand guard in downtown Beijing, China, Thursday, July 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Pro Tibet activists unfurl a "Free Tibet" banner and Tibetan flags on top of a Beijing Olympics billboard, next to China Central Television headquarters in Beijing Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Security guards take away a Hong Kong legislator during the Beijing Olympics' Equestrian Games as he protests for more human rights and an end to one-party rule, Aug. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, left, Brandi Swindell, right, and Mike McMonagle, background, greet supporters upon arrival in Los Angeles, after being deported from China. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

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I can see it now. The Chinese, accused of harsh and brutal tactics against human rights protesters, show that they serve KFC and tea to their prisoners. - Rev. Patrick Mahoney

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Cops Turn China Protesters Into Propaganda