Fourteen Beijing residents announced in a joint statement on Oct. 15 that they are running as independent candidates in the coming general election. They vow to stand up for and serve ordinary Chinese citizens once they are elected. Knowing that this act was a direct challenge to the regime’s dictatorship, while praising their courageous acts, a China commentator expressed his serious concern for their safety. The Brave 14 and Their Missions The independent candidates include farmers, human rights activists, and wives of human rights lawyers. They said in their statement that they are all grassroots citizens and that in real life they cannot find a true people’s representatives through any channels. “We have a strong desire to become the people’s representatives. We want to let all our neighbors and all our voters be able to contact us at any time. We are willing to speak up for ordinary citizens and …