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Xinhua: 77 applications for Olympic protests

AP

China says there have been 77 applications from people wanting to protest in designated demonstration areas during the Beijing Olympics.

The two-line report from the state-run Xinhua News Agency doesn’t say whether any have been approved.

Some people who’ve applied for permits say they were later detained. Critics say the application process was just a ploy to get would-be protesters to reveal themselves.

There have been no protests in the three parks set aside for a type of dissent usually banned in China. Beijing has said it would allow demonstrations as long as tight regulations are followed.

Some small unregulated protests have popped up in other parts of the city, mostly conducted by foreigners who unfurled “Free Tibet” banners and were quickly deported.

Copyright © 2008 Associated Press

Published in ABC 13