China protests Corvallis mural
CORVALLIS, Ore. - When walking past the old Corvallis MicroTechnology building downtown, passersby cannot help but notice a new piece of artwork.
"It's a little more bolder in contrast to what I'm used to seeing in Corvallis," said Rio Smith, a resident of Corvallis who passed by the mural.
It's a huge 10-foot by 100-foot mural with brightly colored images spanning across the building's facade.
Images on the mural portray police beating Tibetan demonstrators and other violent responses to protest of Chinese rule.
Taiwanese-American businessman David Lin decided to create a mural on his soon-to-be restaurant depicting a message that promotes independence for Taiwan and Tibet.
"I was born in Taiwan, and we had a similar type of jail and torture in Taiwan in about 1948," Lin said.
Lin said his relative and friend were put in jail and beaten for no reason in China.
"Right now, it's really important to make Americans aware that China is a real threat," Lin said.
According to city officials, Chinese students at Oregon State saw the images on the mural and found them offensive.
In early August, the Chinese Consulate General wrote a letter to the mayor of Corvallis asking the mural be taken down.
Two Chinese officials also met with Mayor Julie Manning. She explained to them that the U.S. Constitution promises freedom of political speech to everyone in the U.S., including artists.
"There really was an understanding of their perspective and the concerns they have but also an appreciation of where we live," Manning said.
Manning also wrote a letter saying explaining how the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, even if you don't like the message.
Lin said he is still a bit concerned about the heat he's getting from the mural.
"Yes, I'm scared but now is not the time for me to back down, it's not," Lin said. "I need to stand on my own feet no matter what."
China, afraid of the truth huh? Don't sweat it, we knew you were unjust and evil before the mural went up.
David Lin: you are in the USA. You should not be afraid. China does not tell US what we can have on display for murals. If we give in and destroy your murals, then the rest of us should be afraid.
This country, the great USA, is no longer in a position, either militarily or financially, to tell anyone to F off. Â
 @jpk It hasn't been since what, Vietnam?  Unless you're talking Liechtenstein. Â
Let China complain, they can't do anything about it. Well, actually they could. The Chinese could blow this all out of proportion and quit loaning the U.S. money.
What happens if they want thier money back right now? How much of our Debt to they own? No reason to back down. But I allways wondered what would happen if they did ask for payment in full.
 @cpt.iceman Easy enough to look up on Wikipedia:
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"As of May 2011 the largest single holder of U.S. government debt was China, with 26 percent of all foreign-held U.S. Treasury securities (8% of total U.S. public debt).[69]Â China's holdings of government debt, as a percentage of all foreign-held government debt, have decreased a bit between 2010 and 2011, but are up significantly since 2000 (when China held just 6 percent of all foreign-held U.S. Treasury securities).[70]"
Visiting students, don't like what you see in America? Then get out. Go to another country and enroll in their universities.
In the United States of America, this form of speech is undoubtedly one of the most important of our constitutional rights, The First Amendment.
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Asking us to violate said rights would be akin to an American student in China asking you country to allow freedom of the press.
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This really just annoys the heck out of me. Chines Consulate officials, take your stuff and get out of our country.
But if China left, WalMart would be bankrupt!
Costco would need to pack up also.
China has awful civil rights abuses, but due to their robust economic growth and low wages, the bright KATU Community has fully endorsed their actions and want to adopt a similar kind of rule here in the U.S. because the Constitution says so.
 @on shing dao purple monkey dishwasher!
 @Agent Sydney Bristow You get it. You get it.
Free Tibet and Taiwan!
To China and the Chinese Students: "Quote" "The sun may rise in the East, But it sets in the West" Jackie Chan As Chon Wang in Shangai Knights..  Â
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This is America, not China.. Freedom of speech is his right here. This isn't about you, your a guest here in our country! If its offensive, thats just too bad. And your country has nothing to say here either about what we do or say or choose to paint. Unfortunately the truth hurts..
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And for Mr. Linn:Â A star Trek Romulan Quote.. "Ahr'lhonaema ihirer hotaessraei hwiunaier iarr'voi ortaihkhevha na sienov"Â Â
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Translated:
"It is cowardice to be reluctant to take up the sword for a just cause!"
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Very nice mural..
I have never met a Romulan, and don't know their language, but I agree!
 @jpk I just like the saying.. it works!
Thank you Mr Lin!!
As for the students, they are in school in the "U.S.A.", they need to learn about where they are currently residing. If they had wanted to fly a flag, or paint their own mural, it would also be protected.
So...they just need to not worry about it, and move on.
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 @Just Lookin True enough.  And likewise, our students studying in China should be respectful of their laws too.  If you can't abide by living in China, you should probably return home.
Festivus,
That should be the rule no matter where you are living or visiting. Respect the laws and traditions where you are.
There's that pesky First Amendment again; Good on ya' Mr. Lin
Here we go again...a very, very few trying to ruin it for the vast majority...when will it ever stop? Â If they are offended then ignore it. Â I think it's great and it is not harming a singly, solitary person or property.
If the shoe fits...
Now these are the times I'm proud of America. Â Not for some stupid empty "'Murka, f--- yeah!" empty sloganism, but when we show what it is about this place that's special and worth protecting.
 @Festivus CORRECT! Nicely stated, Festivus.
If the Chinese students at OSU found the mural to be offensive they can pack up and go back home to school and live under the so-called freedom of expression that exists in China.Â
 @peckishpete They should find the way "their" government acts as offensive.Â
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 @2nd Baseman  @Dienekes4160 For saying that Festivus is correct, for telling the artist to stick to his guns, or for defending the First and Second Amendments?
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Is there a problem?Â
 @Dienekes4160  @2nd Baseman Pssst -- I think it might have been the ball sucking.  Just a guess.  Stupid first amendment.
Looks to me like this artwork falls under "Free Speech"... Â I've seen FAR worse things successfully defended under that same Constitutional guarantee... Â
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Stand your ground, Mr Lin..!
Oh no we angered china... Are they going to cut off the supply of cheap plastic junk and give us our ecconomy back then...
@undertone More likely they will call in and ask us to pay off our debt that they are financing.Â
 @peckishpete  @undertone We can just give them California and call it good.
 @peckishpete  @undertone Always wondered:
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What happens if we don't? Does that mean we're going to have to start manufacturing our own goods again? What if instead of paying off our debt, we stop sending them food and stop giving aid to the rest of the world and stop doing business with them altogether.
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Will they attack Pearl Harbor? Would neutral nations follow China into a war against America and all of her allies? Or, would they offer to build factories to produce goods for America and replace China as a global economic player?
@starshadow @Dienekes4160 @undertone Huh! What has that to do with the subject? This has nothing to do with Japan.Â
 @Dienekes4160  @peckishpete  @undertone [pssst] Pearl Harbor was Japan, not China.
@Dienekes4160 @undertone If we defaulted on our debt, which is what Greece is trying to avoid, I think there would be dire economy consequences worldwide. It's not as simple as you portray although I do like your line of thinking. It would be nice to put China in its place.
 @undertone There is nothing to give back, it is all gone along with any hope for this nation!!
Dear "Chinese students at Oregon State that found the mural offensive",
This is the United States. We tolerate non-violent dissent and free speach here.
Get over it or go home.
Signed,
Â
Uncle Sam
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Dear China,
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This is the United States. We tolerate non-violent dissent and free speach here.
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Get over it.
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Signed,
Â
Uncle Sam
 @cvyoung Uncle Sam,
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I wholly agree with the idea and spirit of your letter. By way of friendly suggestion, however, it might sharpen your edge a little if you used the word "speech." This is of course what you get for adopting the language of the King instead of Latin or any of the number of the classic Greek dialects. E pluribus, your loving nephew, Joe SixPack. Chears!
"Chears"?
I am surprised the thought police haven't investigated him; I mean others are getting calls at home after they buy ammo from the store or making certain posts on facebook...
I guess the truth can be offensive to some people.
Screw China!!! Good for you Mr. Lin and to the Mayor of Corvallised, I loved the response letter you sent to China.Â
Damn my spelling sucks, sorry/
Yes, I'm scared but now is not the time for me to back down, it's not," Lin said. "I need to stand on my own feet no matter what."
Right on Mr. Lin, you hang in there. People will stand with you on this.
 @jonsiesd2 When I was at OSU, I remember breaking news of Tienanmen Square and a lone Chinese student making history by blocking a line of tanks.
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Mr. Lin, please honor the courage of that man by sticking to you art, and I in turn will honor you.
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Boy, sometimes I really miss Corvallis. Go Beavers!
Iâm offended that they are offended; I ask that they issue a letter of apology.
I am glad to read that they didn't back down and kept their stand on their art. Â