Yang Yongru, a 23-year-old female student, admitted earlier to possessing more than 100 petrol bombs, the most petrol bombs and semi-finished products found in the known cases of the anti-revision movement, and was sentenced today to three years and two months in prison. She wrote a letter to the court earlier, saying that the more she sought knowledge, the more she felt that society was full of injustice and injustice, and finally committed this case. She also said, “For the whole society, the biggest loss is the loss of trust”. She also said that she would not ask the court for a lighter sentence, understanding that a long prison sentence was inevitable and that she would have to bear the responsibility. The letter concludes with a message of encouragement to her fellow travellers: “You can protect yourself and try to survive. I am waiting for you to write to me.
The full text of Yang Yongru’s letter of condolence
Your Honor.
Thank you for taking the trouble to read my heartfelt letter, which is more of a self-report than a plea for mercy. I understand that the charges are serious and that the court must impose a lengthy prison sentence and that there is no alternative. Therefore, I do not make any representations of my own asking for a lighter sentence. The only thing I can do now is to take responsibility for the sentence. As a person born in such a generation, and as a person full of naive “foolishness,” this is the way I should keep and practice. Therefore, I would accept it without resentment.
During the 18 months I spent in scabbard, my family, friends, teachers and supervisors never gave up on me, and the correctional staff also took good care of me. During the “white space” days of my life, I was fortunate to be away from the hustle and bustle and to rethink that I, my family and society …… were once lost and dominated by hatred, anger and despair, which was really sad. On the contrary, this experience has brought me back to my true self, and I am finally out of the rut and free in my mind.
I would like to apologize to my family. Growing up in a warm family, I should have been able to move upward with my own efforts and live a happy and humble life. However, the more I sought knowledge, the more I felt that society was full of injustice and injustice, so I committed this case with a passionate heart but no wisdom. Although my parents were under heavy pressure, they did not give up on me, and one person committed the crime, but the whole family was involved. I was told by a friend that the door to my home was closed for a long time, and my parents were sad and lost when they saw the empty room and the laughter was no longer there, and I could only comfort them through the glass of the prison visitation room. During my sentence, I was unable to be with them for a large period of time, and suffered from this guilt and conscience chastisement, which I think was the greatest punishment God gave me.
Almost everyone involved in this social movement is a victim, losing their health, their freedom, even their lives …… and the greatest loss for the whole society, is the loss of trust. The courtroom is not the place to discuss politics, and I just want to point out one thing – in the big time, most people are in the entangled struggle to both sides, but are unable to break the trap. Many of us, at an age similar to ours, have to suffer from this worldly helplessness, which hurts. We have no other choice but to accept it, but I still hope to encourage my fellow travelers from my own experience to face all the unknown with a gentle, kind and firm heart. I am always with you on this path of suffering and growth, and we are not alone.
Imprisonment and loss of freedom are terrible, but the most terrible thing is to give up on oneself. It would be too melodramatic and pessimistic to say that “after the case, the defendant’s dream of becoming a surveyor was shattered, his future was destroyed, and he lost hope for the future. It is true that I am facing a huge change in my life, but it is also a time of maturity and wisdom. In the future, I have family and friends, I have my studies and career, and I have dreams and hopes. Don’t be sad or worried about me, I will meet you all again with a better face.
This is my statement. Once again, I thank Your Honor and the legal team that has been with me, and I wish you all the best of luck and happiness.
Defendant
Yang Yongru
17.4.21
If you need to share, this is the last thing I can do for you.
I hope that with this situation, I can give you some strength.
Leave a breath, light a light, if there is a light, there is someone.
If you don’t forget, there will be an echo. Let’s encourage each other.
And the bottom of the barrel is enough, protect yourself and try to survive!
I am waiting for you to write to me <3
WY.
19.4.21
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