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Han Chinese Retaliate Against Uighurs

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:57 AM CDT

(Newser) – Thousands of ethnic Han Chinese rioted in the western city of Urumqi today, destroying shops and property belonging to Muslim Uighurs in retaliation for Han deaths over the weekend, the Guardian reports. Police tried to disperse the mob with tear gas, but many rioters remained, throwing rocks at mosques and threatening Uighur residents. “They attacked us. Now it’s our turn to attack them,” said one rioter.

“We’re here to demand security for ourselves,” said another. “They killed children in cold blood.” Some crowd members said they believed the Uighurs were coming to attack them. At least 156 people have died since violence broke out in the region during the weekend. The government has called the riots the worst the People’s Republic has ever seen.

A burnt-out bus sits in a street following a riot in Urumqi, China.
A burnt-out bus sits in a street following a riot in Urumqi, China.   (AP Photo/Xinjiang Government Press Office)
A burning vehicle rests in a street following a riot in Urumqi, China.
A burning vehicle rests in a street following a riot in Urumqi, China.   (AP Photo/Xinjiang Government Press Office)
An injured man is helped by a nurse following a riot in Urumqi, China.
An injured man is helped by a nurse following a riot in Urumqi, China.   (AP Photo/Xinjiang Government Press Office)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Snarfeh
Jul 8, 2009 2:30 AM CDT
Hell, my computer is how I would find out the whole world was rioting since I don't own a TV and I am sure my little corner of the world would still be pretty quiet.
kokuaguy
Jul 7, 2009 7:46 AM CDT
Credible sources put Uighur deaths at 500 in the first incident.
emptycalm
Jul 7, 2009 5:31 AM CDT
the whole world wold riot and the US would still be at our computers haha.

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