Death of girl at mall triggers large protest_美文

Death of girl at mall triggers large protest

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Demonstrators and police were injured on Wednesday when a protest triggered by the death of a Beijing female sales clerk turned ugly.

Yuan Liya, 22, died after plunging from the seventh floor of a mall last week, and police say initial findings point to suicide.

However, by Wednesday morning, hundreds of people had gathered outside the Jingwen coat wholesale outlet in the capital's Fengtai district to call for further investigations into the tragedy.

The crowd, which waved banners and pictures and chanted for justice, were mostly migrant workers and included several of Yuan's relatives, people from her native Anhui province and other shop workers, according to the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Authorities said about 2,000 police personnel, including armed officers, were sent to maintain order.

Some protesters argued with police, and even assaulted and injured officers, Li Runhua, deputy director of Beijing's public security, said on Wednesday. The wounded officers were sent to a nearby hospital, police said.

No details were given about whether any protesters were injured, although a China Daily reporter outside Jingwen mall saw at least one man receiving treatment from emergency medical workers while being restrained by uniformed officers.

Authorities confirmed arrests were made but did not elaborate on the number.

Roads and shopping malls surrounding Jingwen were closed until about 4 pm. Due to the road blocks, heavy traffic jams were reportedly caused in South Third Ring Road.