Flowers for Google in China
The news that Google might pull out of China has quickly become the hottest topic among China’s millions of Web users, prompting expressions of shock and disappointment–as well as flower offerings.
“I heard people talking about Google’s leaving a couple of days ago, but I was still was completely stunned by the news when I arrived at the office this morning.” wrote Twitter user Fenng. “Ten years online has turned me from an optimist into a pessimist.”
Some Web users are showing their support for the company on Twitter, which, though blocked in China, can be accessed by tech-savvy netizens, where they began organizing to take real-world action. At Google offices in China, pictured below, fans of the company gathered, some bearing flowers and messages wishing Google well. The so-called “flower campaign” gave rise to several slogans, such as “Farewell for Reunion” and “GoogleBye.”
In Beijing, supporters gathered early to offer flower bouquets in front of Google’s office in the Tsinghua Science Park. Attached to the flower bouquets were handwritten notes, including one reading “Google: Pure Man.”
