Protests Continue against China’s Shooting of Tibetan Escapees

As graphic images and photos of the shootings at Nangpa Pass continue to surface, Tibetans and their supporters continue protesting at Chinese consulates and embassies around the world. On Friday October 20th, over 200 Tibetans and their supporters from New York, Boston, and the DC area converged in Washington to make sure the message of disgust and outrage towards China’s callous actions was heard in the US State Capital. After rousing speeches from each of the sponsoring Tibet organizations, including moving words from Kala Mendoza, SFT’s new Grassroots Coordinator, who was a lead organizer of the event, protestors led a silent march from Dupont Circle to the Chinese embassy. Their silence paid tribute to the stolen lives at Nangpa Pass and the grave injustices committed against the Tibetan people everyday. As the protestors neared the Embassy, chants for an end to China’s occupation in Tibet erupted, forcing Embassy employees to hear the shouting and screaming late into the afternoon. The protest attracted Western and Chinese media, including the Washington Post and China World News.

Click here for more pictures from the DC protest

Then, on October 21st Tibetans from Portland and Seattle traveled to Vancouver, Canada for a large protest at the Chinese consulate, which followed a local protest held at the same site the previous Saturday. The intensity of the demonstration was evident to both onlookers, including CTV media, and those of us who regularly congregate at the Consulate in protest. This particular gathering felt especially emotional given Chinese troops had been caught red handed shooting and killing Tibetan escapees. The irrefutable evidence of their actions completely disproves and contradicts their propaganda campaign about how happy and prosperous Tibetans are under Chinese rule. In the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and with the launch of the China-Tibet railway, the Chinese government’s spin doctors are working overtime to convince the international community that they are a legitimate presence in Tibet. Their efforts are becoming increasingly desperate especially in light of the recent shootings and the Chinese government officials’ attempts to defend their blatantly oppressive actions by claiming the soldiers shot in self defense. This atrocity and the Government’s response have unequivocally shown the world the illegitimacy of China’s rule in Tibet.

The group at the consulate included many older Tibetans who lived through the brutality of Mao’s invading army, as well as younger Tibetans, some of whom also fled through the very same mountain pass. As we stood there defiant, shouting slogans, I felt more the strength and determination of the Tibetans around me to reclaim their country and their freedom. It is also becoming increasingly apparent that the Chinese regime is its own greatest enemy and it’s really only a matter of time before they self destruct. They’re under a microscope today more than ever before and we need to be prepared to jump on every opportunity to further highlight their abuses. Every action and protest now, building towards August 2008 and beyond is a stepping stone towards that critical moment when China’s grip over Tibet will slip for good and Tibet will be Free!

Click here for more photos of the Vancouver protest, courtest of Seattle TYC

Protests have also been held in London, Toronto, Chandigarh, Sweden, San Francisco, Dharamsala and Hong Kong with several others scheduled to take place throughout the week.



2 Responsesto “Protests Continue against China’s Shooting of Tibetan Escapees”

1. ka says:

   October 24, 2006 at 6:08 pm

   Why is there no coverage in the US papers re- this tragedy and the plight of Tibet and Tibetans in general? It seems that the US turns a blind eye on China’s treatment of Tibet and thier own citizens.