http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/20/asia/protest.php

Xinhua, the state news agency, reported that 77 people submitted protest applications, none of which were approved. Xinhua, quoting a Public Security spokesperson, said all but three applicants dropped their requests after their complaint was “properly addressed by relevant authorities or departments through consultations.” The last three applications were rejected as incomplete or violating Chinese law.

But the authorities have refused to explain what happened to applicants who disappeared after they submitted their paperwork. Gao Chuancai, a farmer from northeast China who was hoping to publicize government corruption, was forcibly escorted back to his hometown last week and remains in custody.

Submitting a request to protest? Surely not! Submitting an application with my full name, address, and details about why I want to protest to a government that wishes to crush any dissent seems like a excellent idea. After all when I’m carted off in the dead of night I want to make sure I go to the “Internet free speech” labor camp not the “Tibetan independence” labor camp. That would really be awkward.