G.R.L. co-founder James Powderly has been detained in Beijing for more than 48 hours as of 10am today by Chinese authorities as a result of his participation in pro-Tibetan protests during the Olympics. According to the NY Times, "Chinese authorities arrested five Americans on Tuesday after they spelled out "Free Tibet" with blue L.E.D. lights near the National Stadium. Three other people, including a New York artist [James Powderly] who fashions giant displays with lasers on buildings, were detained for a separate protest."
Our sources in Beijing and the U.S. share that Powderly was sporting the impressive new Laser Stencil technology he had recently invented. There has been no word from him since. Information will be posted on GRL's site and here as it is received.
BREAKING NEWS - August 21 - 11PM Beijing: Six foreigners given 10 days’ detention
From Students for a Free Tibet. Read more on their site including what you can do.
BEIJING (AFP) — Beijing police said Thursday it had handed out 10-day detention terms to six foreigners believed by an overseas activist group to be pro-Tibet campaigners involved in Olympic protests this week.
Statement from James before he was arrested (starts about 1 minute in)