Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Anthony Appiah: Liu Xiaobos Trial Expected Within Days


TMP this week received from PEN President Anthony Appiah the following missive:


Dear Friends,

We're sure you've been following the news about our PEN colleague in China, Liu Xiaobo, who has been detained for over a year in Beijing and is facing subversion charges for his writings. On Friday, Liu was indicted, and we have learned that he may be tried as early as Monday, December 20. If he is convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Even if you have already signed our petition, or sent a letter, we are asking you now to flood the Chinese government's e-mail boxes with appeals calling for Liu Xiaobo's immediate release. You can do so by using PEN's new, user-friendly software at www.pen.org/freeliu. Just fill in the few required fields, amend the letter if you wish, and hit send.

Please also pass this on to your friends, family, and colleagues, and urge them to take action.

For more information on the latest developments in Liu's case, and to read PEN's press release about the indictment, please visit www.pen.org/liuxiaobo.

Your voice matters to the Chinese government. Please help us free Liu Xiaobo now.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Anthony Appiah
President

Top Gear - The Stig

... has been revealed to be Michael Schumacher.