【明報專訊】WAVES of popular protests have swept across North Africa and the Middle East. Some mainland netizens had called on people to join Jasmine Revolution gatherings yesterday in thirteen major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Yesterday saw no massive rallies on the mainland. However, hundreds of people once gathered in Wangfujing, Beijing. Public security police had to disperse crowds, and some citizens were taken away. In recent years, corruption has been prevalent and the rich-poor gap has been widening on the mainland, where common people have long been full of grievances against the privileged. Though nothing untoward happened yesterday, it is common knowledge that people are resentful and indignant. The mainland authorities should allow people to vent their resentment instead of suppressing them. The most effective way they can avert a Jasmine Revolution is to take effective steps to rid the people of scourges. The best weapon they can use to maintain stability is what safeguards people's rights and interests.