In Tibet, a Protest of Incredible Bravery
Even as we celebrate the successes of Lhadon, Paul, and the Great Wall Six, we are humbled by the bravery of hundreds of Tibetans who are protesting in Tibet right now. These people do not have the protection of foreign passports, and are at the full mercy of the Chinese security forces. Yet they are speaking out for a fellow Tibetan, for their religion, and for their nation.
It all started on August 1, when a Tibetan named Ronggay A’drak went up to the stage at a large gathering during the annual Lithang Horse Race. He offered a khata scarf to the chief lama of Lithang Monastery, and then seized the microphone and shouted: “The Dalai Lama should return to Tibet”, “Release Panchen Lama”, “Tibet wants Independence”. The audience of hundreds began repeating these slogans in unison.
Chinese police of course arrested Ronggay A’drak, and rounded up about 200 others. But the people, instead of being intimidated, fought back. A growing crowd surrounded the local police station demanding their release.
According to Radio Free Asia, as of two days ago:
A protest by Tibetan nomads outside local government offices … is growing, with more nomads arriving following the arrest of one of their number after he called for the return of the Dalai Lama, sources in the region said.
“The original Tibetans are still standing in protest, with several tents pitched in the area,” a caller from Lithang (in Chinese, Litang) county in Karze prefecture told RFA’s Tibetan service.
“Three other nomadic groups also arrived and pitched tents in support of the protesting Tibetans demanding the release of Ronggyal Adrak,” he said…
The Chinese forces, of course, responded by threatening violence:
“Without responding to the demands of the Tibetan protestors, officials threatened that if the protests were withdrawn by tomorrow, they would provide transportation home. If [protesters] do not leave by 8:00 A.M. on August 8, 2007, the People’s Republic of China will crush [them].” said another caller from Kham to RFA’s Tibetan service. “Several thousand armed police are now stationed in the area.”
This protest is not isolated, either. Earlier in July, according to Radio Free Asia, “Hundreds of Tibetans staged a protest earlier this month in support of jailed monk Tenzin Delek Rinpoche” in eastern Tibet.
What this all shows is that the Chinese government has failed to crush the Tibetan spirit. Tibetans continue to oppose Chinese control over their lives, their faith, and their nation. Even after five decades of occupation, the Chinese government has not been able to erase this resistance in Tibetan hearts. And that is why China will never win in Tibet.
All of us at SFT make a solemn promise to Ronggay A’drak, to those Tibetans trying to save his life, and to all Tibetans who are living under Chinese occupation — we will not rest until Tibet is free. And that will happen sooner than some of us may think.
(Read the open letter from Ronggay A’drak’s son and nephew here.)
7 Responses to “In Tibet, a Protest of Incredible Bravery”
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[...] In Tibet, A Protest of Incredible Bravery By Lhasa Rising If [protesters] do not leave by 8:00 AM on August 8, 2007, the People’s Republic of China will crush [them].” said another caller from Kham to RFA’s Tibetan service. “Several thousand armed police are now stationed in the area.” … Tibet Will Be Free - http://blog.studentsforafreetibet.org [...]
[...] Yesterday, we wrote about how hundreds of Tibetans were protesting outside a police station in Lithang, trying to convince Chinese security forces to release a very brave Tibetan named Ronggay A’drak. [...]
[...] If the Games bring change to Tibet and China, it will not be thanks to the spineless IOC or the repressive Chinese government. It will be thanks to brave Tibetans like Rongye Adak and dissidents like Mr. Hu. Those of us on the outside must use our freedoms to amplify their voices. Together, the Chinese government cannot stop us. [...]
[...] Meanwhile, the fate of brave protester Rongye Adak remains unknown, since his arrest on August 1 for peacefully exercising his right to free speech. We previously wrote about Rongye Adak’s case here, here, and here. The TCHRD remains “fearful that the authorities will use torture upon Ronggye A’drak during detention, as it is a regular feature in all Chinese administered prisons and detention centers. ” [...]
[...] Likely, Lhadon would share the fate of brave Tibetans who dare to speak out, like Rongye Adak, imprisoned, probably tortured, and knowing that their families will be made to suffer as well. They are the true heroes. As we wrote before, everyone at SFT is humbled by the bravery of Tibetans who are willing to risk everything, with no protection, to nonviolently resist the Chinese occupation of their homeland. [...]
[...] Runggye Adak, the brave Tibetan whose act of free speech set off the Lithang crackdown, has been charged by the Chinese authorities with subversion. [...]
[...] We’re already seeing how mobile phones and digital cameras have allowed word to spread about the crisis in Lithang (where Runggye Adak’s inspiring act of free speech led to his arrest, demonstrations by hundreds of Tibetans, a violent crackdown by Chinese security forces, and an ongoing tense standoff). [...]