Hope

The Chinese that live under the oppressive thumb of Maoist communism would appear to take the issue of eminent domain and property rights just a tad more seriously than us freedom-loving Americans.

A crowd of 1,000 people stormed a local Communist Party headquarters in northwest China, smashing cars and clashing with police following a land dispute, government officials said Tuesday.

At least 60 people—officials, police, and protesters—were injured in the riots, according to a statement on the government Web site of Longnan city, where the unrest occurred.

The protest initially began Monday with just a small group of people complaining about the demolition of their homes to make way for a new road in Longnan in Gansu province, according to an official from the local Communist Party surnamed Wang.
But by nightfall, the crowd swelled to as many as 1,000 as more people joined the demonstration, the city's statement said.

"Instigated by a small number of people with ulterior motives, some unlawful people started to storm the city government building and attacked government officials from the petitioning office," it said.

"Ulterior motives". Nice.

Protests are common in China over land seizures and corrupt officials. Local government officials often confiscate land for infrastructure and housing projects, with little or no compensation.

Forgive us that thrill that is running up our leg, currently.