Issue and Opponent: China usually possesses one of the worst air quality indexes in the world, and smog is a frequent phenomenon in Chengdu. In China, environmental protests are highly frowned upon, and an ordinance was passed during this movement to prohibit any protests concerning the smog in the city.
Dilemma Action: To protest the constant smog in Chengdu, protestors put face masks on over 1,000 stone Lion statues in direct defiance of Chinese laws limiting public action. The “lion” is observed as a divine beast in Chinese culture, and the placement of stone lion statues near building entrances is meant to serve as the guardians of the date.
Outcome: The protest was quickly and heavy-handedly shut down by Chinese police. China rarely allows protests to happen, and there is a de facto understanding that protests are outlawed. Their heavy-handed reaction to this action reflected negatively on the government. Further outrage may be obtained given that a protest with similar tactics in 2008 in the city of Xiamen was not met with violence, and the protestors’ concerns were met. This dilemma action is part of a larger campaign. This coincided with the larger marches against the Chengdu government on the issue of immense smog in the city.