About 100 people gather in the streets of Shifang in China's southwestern Shichuan province in front of the city's communist party headquarters.<br/> <br />They're awaiting the release of their relatives who've been detained for protesting the building of a copper plant.<br/> <br />Chinese authorities have made good on their promise to release demonstrators... all but six... after they were taken into custody earlier in the week.<br/> <br />The existing plant is a mere stone's throw from villagers homes.<br/> <br />Residents say the new plant would pollute their air, and poison their water supplies.<br/> <br />In a rare move conceding to public outrage, Chinese authorities have halted the production of the plant, for now.<br/> <br />Julie Noce, Reuters
