![](https://thechinaproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/July-5-2009-riots-in-Urumqi.jpg)
July 5, 2009: The riots that changed everything in Xinjiang
In Urumqi on July 5, 2009, a Uyghur protest against racism and mistreatment turned into a riot, resulting in crowds attacking Han Chinese. The state's response — which is still ongoing — was not proportionate.