Biggest protest since 1954 over Hanoi old nunciature demolition

Published: September 22, 2008

In what is believed to be the biggest public protest since 1954, over 10,000 people have gathered in Hanoi to protest the demolition by the Vietnamese government of the former Vatican nunciature in order to turn it into a public park and community centre.

VietCatholic reports that a bishop and hundreds of priests led more than ten thousand of protestors praying at the nunciature before an open altar set up at the middle of the street.

Bishop Joseph Dang Duc Ngan of Lang Son and hundreds of priests from Ha Nam, Ha Tay and Nam Dinh led ten thousands of protestors marching on the streets of Hanoi to the nunciature where an altar with a large statue of Our Lady was set up right at the fence between the protestors and police.

The protestors could not reach to the gate of the nunciature where hundreds of construction workers had been working through night to convert the nunciature into a library and a park. Police had dragged 3 layers of barbed wire fence across the road leading to the nunciature to stop them.

The prelate and priests took turn to incense the altar while protestors sang Rosary and hymns. Police dogs reacted angrily at the crowd when they were led near to the fence to threaten protestors.

On Saturday morning, Archbishop Joseph Ngo and priests from St Joseph Major Seminary went to People's Committee of Hanoi city to strongly protest the plan and asked them to stop besieging the archbishop's residence area.

Standing at the site among protestors, Fr Joseph Nguyen reported that as at 9 am local time "Hanoi archbishop's residence, St. Joseph Major Seminary, and the convent of Sisters of Adorers of the Holy Cross are still being under siege by Vietnamese massive forces of policemen, militiamen and security personnel aided by professionally trained dogs."

"At some points, we could not even talk to him and staff in the archbishop's office," he added. "We could not even make a call to anywhere. Police vehicles with technology installed to block mobile signal so that no phone could make or receive calls," he explained.

"At this time, I can see a lot of people around me, at least ten thousand, to say for sure. And people keep coming by any means they can reach. Police were ordered to stop and turn back buses carrying Catholics from other provinces infuxing into the capital. Also it rains sporadically," he noted.

On Saturday night, the entire street leading to the nunciature was lighted up with thousands of candles in another protest of Hanoi Catholics.

A student from Hanoi university said: "I was here last night with at least 5,000 people. I prayed with them until very late. I had just gone home to take a sleep then return here with people. We were very upset with the way this government handle the issue."

Meanwhile, official newspaper, VietNamNet Bridge reports that Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen The Thao received the Hanoi diocese's Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet and other dignitaries on Saturday in order to respond to an urgent petition by the Archbishop's Office one day earlier.

Hanoi police leaders denied that the police force had blockaded the Archbishop's Office in Hanoi. They also added that the police force are allowed to use professional measures in line with the laws to maintain public security and order, and ensure safety for the project during the process of construction.

AP reporter bashed, detained

The International Herald Tribune reports that an Associated Press reporter in Vietnam was punched, choked and hit over the head with a camera by police who detained him Friday while he covered a Catholic prayer vigil in the communist country.

Ben Stocking, the Hanoi bureau chief for The Associated Press, was released from police custody after about 2 1/2 hours and required four stitches on the back of his head. His camera was confiscated by police.

"They told me I was taking pictures in a place that I was not allowed to be taking pictures. But it was news, and I went in," Stocking said by telephone from Hanoi.

Within minutes of arriving at the prayer vigil, Stocking said, he was escorted away by plainclothes police who took his camera and punched and kicked him when he asked for it back.

Taken to a police station for questioning, Stocking tried to reach for his camera and an officer "banged me on the head with the camera and another police officer punched me in the face, straight on." The blow from the camera opened a gash at the back of his head.

SOURCE

Huge protest on Sunday morning at the nunciature (VietCatholic, 21/9/08)

Bulldozers stoke Hanoi land clash (BBC News, 20/9/08)

AP reporter detained, beaten by police in Vietnam (International Herald Tribune, 20/9/08)

Bishops shocked at government's betrayal (VietCatholic, 20/9/08)

Vietnamese Catholics protest as government clears disputed land (EarthTimes, 20/9/08)