A free hug campaigner shows passers-by a card asking strangers for hugs on bustling Nanjing Road, in east China's Shanghai on November 5, 2006. The campaign, which aimed to warm people's hearts with hugs, came to an end as local police intervened, citing the event illegal because they didn't have a permit.

A police officer disperses free hug campaigners, confiscating cards adverting for free hugs, on bustling Nanjing Road, in east China's Shanghai on November 5, 2006. The campaign, which aimed to warm people's hearts with hugs, came to an end as local police intervened, citing the event illegal because they didn't have a permit.