Amnesty International has thanked the 29,000 people who submitted their signatures and who hope that the plight of the lawyers attracts attention during President Xi Jinping's UK visit. 

'Criminal gang'

Amnesty said: 'Thank you to the 29,000 of you who took action to demand the release of more than 230 lawyers and activists have been targeted and branded as a ‘criminal gang’ by the Chinese authorities in a widespread crackdown since July 2015...The UK must stop turning a blind eye to the plight of lawyers, campaigners and journalists that have been locked up simply because they have challenged the Chinese authorities.' Source: Amnesty