They weren't making a big deal out of it. They rented a private room at a Beijing restaurant - about two dozen bloggers and human rights activists - but never got to even toast their colleague's award:

While the two dozen bloggers, rights lawyers and academics were arriving at the private room they had reserved at a Beijing restaurant shortly after the Norwegian Committee's announcement, the police rushed in and briskly led the celebrators away, according to those who were there.

On Saturday evening, at least a half-dozen participants remained in custody.

As presidents, religious figures and rights advocates around the world praised the Nobel Committee and called on the Chinese government to release Mr. Liu, one of China's most prominent dissidents, the Chinese government reacted with unrestrained ire.

They called in the Norwegian ambassador in Beijing for a dressing down, placed scores of dissidents under house arrest and angrily described the decision to honor Mr. Liu as "blasphemy" and an insult to the Chinese people.

About what you'd expect from a bunch of mindless commies. Arresting the activists only makes them more visible and generates sympathy for them. It may even inspire others rather than dampening the dissent.

You can keep the lid on only so long. Eventually, there is going to be an explosion and it is a near certainty that blood will be spilled. No government has yet been created that can stifle the will of those determined to achieve liberty. They can murder, arrest, harass, interfere, and bad mouth the dissidents all they want. In the end, people like Liu and those arrested at a party celebrating his achievement, will win.