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In China the state runs everything. In preparing for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, China has seen fit to evict thousands of people from their homes and businesses. There is no recourse for those displaced.

The article tells the story of Ye Guozhu whose home and business were both plowed over to make room for parks to make the city more beautiful. When Ye Guozhu protested these actions he was arrested for disturbing the social order and imprisoned. Ye Guozhu's family has no idea where he is or when he'll be released.

Ye Mingjun is his son and says:

"I filed an appeal just a few days ago against his sentence, but the court refused to accept the case because they said my father must sign the papers in person. But he can’t do that because he is in jail and we have had no contact with him."

The Olympic Green is the centerpiece of this plan in Beijing and includes 2,800 acres of development. 1,680 will be a park and the rest for the Olympic village.

The press in China is becoming more assertive on the issue due to architectural history. Liaowang Weekly said:

"To pull down the old city is not the answer to Beijing’s problems. The more old houses you pull down, the more social problems you face because the more hutongs disappear, the bigger the population thronging the city centre.”