Lü Banglie () (born 1971) is a Chinese pro-democracy activist and farmer from Baoyuesi village (), Bailizhou town, Zhijiang, Yichang in western Hubei province. During a period of drought in 2000, Lü began campaigning for reductions in the taxes levied upon poor farmers. Since that time Lü has campaigned on issues of land seizures, corruption, and access to health care. In 2003, Lü was elected to a position in the Zhijiang City People's Congress. In 2004, he was elected to the Baoyuesi villager committee.Elfstrom, M. 2005, 'The saga of a rural reformer' , China Elections & Governance, 10 March.
Lü's political activities have led to violence against himself, his family, and his property. This attracted global media attention in 2005 when an assault on Lu was falsely reported by Guardian journalist Benjamin Joffe-Walt. The attack was allegedly intended to intimidate Lü and convince him to end his campaign against corrupt local politicians. Lü declared his intention to continue campaigning against corruption, saying, "I know there are tigers in the mountain, but I still go to the mountain."Watts, J. 2005, 'Chinese activist vows to continue, despite beating', The Guardian, 12 October. In October 2007 there were reports that Lu had been "disappeared", although these reports are difficult to substantiate.FIDH 2007, 'Enforced disappearance of Messrs. Yao Lifa and Lü Banglie', www.fidh.org, 12 October. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
Lü Banglie is reported to have been influenced by the thought of Mohandas Gandhi.Joffe-Walt, B. & Watts, J. 2005, 'Pioneer who studied Gandhi', The Guardian, 11 October.
See also Human rights in the People's Republic of China
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External links
Phoenix Weekly 2005, 'Phoenix Weekly interviews Lu Banglie', EastSouthWestNorth, 1 December.