(silent) protests in my hood

When something new is about to be built, often something old(er) has to go to make room for what is to come. In Shenyang, as in many bigger Chinese cities, this happens a lot these days due to the fast pace of the country`s economic development and modernization. And of course, if you`re living in one of this older somethings that has to go, in this case a residential block, you`re not willing to leave without at least making a statement of disagreement - sprayed on your walls or displayed in your windows, for example.

 "I want security - oppose demolition by force"

written in black: "oppose demolition by force"  written in red: "my home"

"oppose demolition by force - protect our homes"

"Give back my security"

"oppose demolition by force

protect legal rights to the end

give me back security"

I don`t know why this block is about to be teared down, one reason might be the expansion of the central train station nearby, and these houses would be in the way for a passage into this district - so far the train station only has one entrance on the other side. Another explanation might be that often land or house owners get ample compensations for giving away their usage rights to the government or real estate project developers - and occupants get nothing but a date until when they have to move out. But don`t know if that`s the case here, haven`t talked to people living there so far.

Another strange thing - a real estate agent was showing my girlfriend an apartment in this block just six weeks ago.....