Student gets threats after China protest
Personal info for student, parents posted online
By: Zachary Tracer
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
Last update: 4/14/08 at 6:29 AM EST
Last update: 4/14/08 at 6:29 AM EST
For one Chinese Duke student, Wednesday's pro-Tibet and pro-China protests did not end when the participants went home.
Since her appearance in front of the Chapel, the student, who requested anonymity because she fears retaliation, has found herself the target of a wave of threatening messages from individuals who believe she advocated for Tibetan independence.
After the protests, the student's personal information, including her name, phone number and Chinese identity number were posted to the Duke Chinese Scholars and Students Association Web site, according to documents obtained by The Chronicle. Photographs and a video of the student from the rally have also been posted on several popular Chinese-language forums.
"I received all kinds of weird e-mails and phone calls," she said. "I think it is all thanks to the DCSSA, who released all kinds of information."
DCSSA President Zhizhong Li, a third-year graduate student in molecular cancer biology, denied DCSSA involvement in publicizing the student's information but acknowledged that messages containing the information had been sent over the group's open e-mail listserv. The messages have since been deleted to protect the student, he said.
"I do not think they are from our organization," Li said. "We definitely don't support [the threats]."
The student said she has received some messages calling for her to be burned alive with oil.
She said she filed a report with the Duke University Police Department Friday.
"I think this is not the time to die for my country," the student said. "I love my life."
DUPD has increased patrols around the student's dormitory and has offered her personal protection, which she declined, said DUPD Maj. Gloria Graham.
"She did report to us that there were some general threats made to her, or things she perceived to be threats," Graham said. "We take harassing phone call and e-mail cases all the time. I think we are all a little bit more alarmed about this case."
Since her appearance in front of the Chapel, the student, who requested anonymity because she fears retaliation, has found herself the target of a wave of threatening messages from individuals who believe she advocated for Tibetan independence.
After the protests, the student's personal information, including her name, phone number and Chinese identity number were posted to the Duke Chinese Scholars and Students Association Web site, according to documents obtained by The Chronicle. Photographs and a video of the student from the rally have also been posted on several popular Chinese-language forums.
"I received all kinds of weird e-mails and phone calls," she said. "I think it is all thanks to the DCSSA, who released all kinds of information."
DCSSA President Zhizhong Li, a third-year graduate student in molecular cancer biology, denied DCSSA involvement in publicizing the student's information but acknowledged that messages containing the information had been sent over the group's open e-mail listserv. The messages have since been deleted to protect the student, he said.
"I do not think they are from our organization," Li said. "We definitely don't support [the threats]."
The student said she has received some messages calling for her to be burned alive with oil.
She said she filed a report with the Duke University Police Department Friday.
"I think this is not the time to die for my country," the student said. "I love my life."
DUPD has increased patrols around the student's dormitory and has offered her personal protection, which she declined, said DUPD Maj. Gloria Graham.
"She did report to us that there were some general threats made to her, or things she perceived to be threats," Graham said. "We take harassing phone call and e-mail cases all the time. I think we are all a little bit more alarmed about this case."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 606
Anon
posted 4/14/08 @ 8:13 AM EST
If that point about being on China's blacklist is true, man that is freaky.
And seriously, give the Chronicle a break fellas. I distinctly remember having a feeling while reading their original article that they were taking extra meausures not to choose sides. (Continued…)
Anon
posted 4/14/08 @ 8:21 AM EST
The Chronicle sucks. In my experience with them (unrelated to this current topic), they have found ways to twist people's words to create stories. When they don't have stories, they make them. (Continued…)
chinese speaker anyone?
posted 4/14/08 @ 9:11 AM EST
Does Zachery speak Chinese? Besides that poor girl's own words about the threats and some blurry description, I couldn't find what was really said in the emails and the online forums. (Continued…)
Just another Chinese Émigré
posted 4/14/08 @ 9:42 AM EST
That girl must be laughing at this report now. This is exactly what she wants: more publicity for herself and more slander to her nation.
You guys show check out her interview with CTV, where she explicitly insults the Chinese people and supports Tibetan Independence. (Continued…)
Disapointed with DCSSA
posted 4/14/08 @ 10:18 AM EST
A tip for Chinese : don't try and turn this story around and blame it on the girl lest you further damage the common perception of the Chinese community. (Continued…)
For those who are ready for China bashing
posted 4/14/08 @ 10:18 AM EST
I am not overlooking, or encouraging personal threats to this girl. I think it is wrong, too.
But still, I would like to point out the Chronicle has shown a fair amout of bias and sinophobia recently. (Continued…)
Lack of Compassion and Support Upsetting
posted 4/14/08 @ 10:30 AM EST
I think it's really disheartening when a fellow student gets personally attacked and her family are victims of deliberate character assassination by a Duke Approved Student Organization. (Continued…)
Jormungand
posted 4/14/08 @ 10:36 AM EST
To all those attacking the girl and The Chronicle:
How would you like it if someone started handing out your personal information and sent threats to you and your family? I certainly think it would be rather unnerving, to say the least. (Continued…)
2010
posted 4/14/08 @ 10:49 AM EST
Being blacklisted from China would prompt the US to grant her a visa and allow her to remain in the country. This may or may not be her ulterior motive. (Continued…)
SCM
posted 4/14/08 @ 10:57 AM EST
As a Chinese student, I was extremely angry after seeing her show during the interview with CTV. She have no right to right to represent "most Chinese"'s idea, and she does not know most Chinese's idea. (Continued…)
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