the families of chinese feminists detained by police for more than a month facing charges of ` picking quarrels and provoking trouble ' have issued a plea to authorities for their release .
the female activists were arrested the weekend before international women 's day , as they were preparing to hand out leaflets about sexual harassment on public transport .
the activists were described as ` young , kind-hearted , and full of a sense of responsibility to society , ' ten of their parents and spouses wrote in a letter to beijing prosecutors which was posted online on saturday .