CTV Danlambao - Translated by Jasmine Tran (Danlambao) - Despite being harassed and impeded by police, a few Victims of Injustice still gathered in Saigon, under the banner: “Vietnamese women follow the heroic Trưng Sisters in the fight against Chinese invaders”
A demonstration which aimed to 'protest against traitors of the nation, and to fight against foreign invasion', was planned for 8 March 2015 in Saigon. It was quelled by a ruthless police force.
Police surrounded and arrested many members of the Victims of Injustice Association, including Trần Ngọc Anh, Phùng Thị Ly, Lê Thị Ngọc Đa... and dozens of other victims of injustice as they were on their way to the meeting place.
However, despite this, around five Victims of Injustice in golden shirts had assembled, raising the banner: “Vietnamese women follow the heroic Trưng Sisters in the fight against Chinese invaders.”
The Vietnamese Government, concerned about the impact of the demonstration, detained and brutally beat Phùng Thị Ly, an active member of the VIA.
Phùng Thị Ly, at 7:30am on 8 March 2015, despite being under close police surveillence, caught a vehicle to travel from Long An to the meet-up in Saigon.
On the journey to Saigon, at a quiet location, police appeared and stopped the car, stating that Ly had been reported by someone for “disrupting public order”. Ly was then escorted to Tân Đông commune police station, Thạnh Hóa district, in Long An province.
Ms Phùng Thị Ly after leaving the police station
Upon arriving, the police there used violent force to obtain Ly’s mobile phone, despite Ly’s adamant refusal and objections.
After sustained protests and retaliation, Ly became upset and distressed as she saw police raiding her bag. The bag contained banners of demonstration within.
Furious at being treated inhumanely, Phùng Thị Ly loudly condemned the crimes of the communist system whilst detained at the police station. She was returned home that same afternoon, her entire body beaten and sore.
Even though the demonstration on 8 March 2015 was not executed as planned, Trần Ngọc Anh, Phùng Thị Ly, and women of the VIA had, once again, demonstrated how Vietnamese women maintain a brave stance and heroic attitude in the face of communist brutality.
