Dharmashop Fundraiser for SFT

Shop Not Made in China this holiday season, and support the Tibetan Freedom Movement while you’re at it!

From now until Sunday, Dharmashop.com will donate 15% of all proceeds to Students for a Free Tibet. Likewise, 100% of proceeds from this exclusive Students for a Free Tibet logo pendant will benefit SFT, specially designed by a Tibetan jeweler in Nepal. 

Started in 1999, Dharmashop’s mission has been to build an online community that supports Tibetan and Nepali artisans in their traditional crafts.  Founder Sander Cohen was inspired to support Tibetan artists living in exile after a trip to Nepal. He now travels to Nepal and Thailand each year to visit Buddhist holy sites and oversee products and designs, and he and his wife, Christy, ensure that third and fourth generation Tibetan and Nepali artisans are paid fair wages for their crafts. Read more about Dharmashop’s history

PRO-TIBET ACTIVISTS UNFURL BANNER ON NICE LANDMARK TO CALL FOR GLOBAL INTERVENTION IN TIBET; RALLY AND POLITICAL THEATRE TO FOLLOW

For Immediate Release
November 4, 2011

Contacts:
Migmar Dhakyel: Tibetan Youth Association in Europe +33 762 068 590
Norzin Dotschung, Tibetan Youth Association in Europe +41 788 247 270
Pema Yoko, Students for a Free Tibet, +44 7949 104 021

PRO-TIBET ACTIVISTS UNFURL BANNER ON NICE LANDMARK TO CALL FOR GLOBAL INTERVENTION IN TIBET; RALLY AND POLITICAL THEATRE TO FOLLOW

Nice – This morning 8 pro-Tibet activists from Switzerland, Germany and the UK, unfurled a huge 12 x 4.5 metre banner on the Tower Bellanda reading “ENOUGH!” with Tibetan flags lining the bottom. The action – the third in a series of pro-Tibet demonstrations at the G20 Summit ­– is part of a global campaign to pressure the Chinese government to withdraw troops from Tibet and to end the military occupation. 16 Tibetans and their supporters have been detained over the past three days in Cannes for pro-Tibet actions. A large rally with Tibetans from across Europe will also take place today from 10am to 1pm at the Place d’Ile de Beaute.

“Tibetans and our supporters from around the world are here at the G20 Summit to say Enough is Enough! Enough to China’s violent and brutal repression in Tibet, and enough to the failure of our world leaders to hold the Chinese government accountable for its atrocities in Tibet,” said Migmar Dhakyel, a 20-year old Tibetan woman with the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe.

Yesterday, a 35 year-old nun, Palden Choetso, died after she lit herself on fire in Tawu, eastern Tibet. She was calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and for Tibetan independence. Eleven Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet since March this year; 9 since September 26th. At least six have died, including two nuns. Chinese authorities have responded by pouring security personnel into Tibet.

“Yesterday’s desperate act by a Tibetan nun to call for the return of the Dalai Lama is a cry for help and a clear sign that Tibetans have been pushed to the brink under China’s merciless rule,” said Norzin Dotschung, President of the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe. “Strong diplomatic action now to pressure China to stop the crackdown in Tibet will help save Tibetan lives.”

Tibet campaigners around the world have launched ‘Enough! Campaign for Global Intervention to Save Tibetan Lives’, which has garnered support from celebrities, politicians and other prominent individuals including Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actor Richard Gere and the musicians of Radiohead. They have joined over 24,000 others in calling for multilateral pressure on Hu Jintao to resolve the growing crisis in Tibet.

“It is time for the G20′s leaders to stand up and recognize that by acting collectively, courageously, and with principle, they can help to resolve one of the world’s longest-standing injustices – China’s occupation of Tibet.” said Pema Yoko, Students for a Free Tibet UK’s National Director.

Art for Tibet III: Online Auction Extended

On October 14th, more than 50 acclaimed artists exhibited their work together in support of the Tibetan freedom struggle. The 3rd annual Art for Tibet show featured top contemporary Tibetan and international artists, including Shepard Fairey, Pema Rinzin, Richard Gere, Ryan McGinness, Tenzing Rigdol, Swoon, Gonkar Gyatso, The Sucklord (star of Bravo Network’s “Work of Art” Season 2) and many more.

While we’re sad that it’s over, we are happy to announce that the online auction has been extended until October 24th, where new lots are now listed with remaining art works, whose reserves have been lowered. To browse and bid online, visit: http://benefitevents.com/auctions/sft2010/

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the incredible evening, and to the organizing committee who worked tirelessly to make it all happen. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year at Art for Tibet IV.

Art for Tibet III

ART FOR TIBET is an annual charity auction held in New York City that showcases work from a diverse international pool of established and emerging artists, including a growing number of outstanding contemporary Tibetan artists. For many Tibetan artists this show is a rare and vital opportunity to express their artistic voices and exhibit their work without risk of imprisonment.

Hosted at the Joshua Liner Gallery in Chelsea, New York City, the show will feature more than 50 contemporary Tibetan and international artists, including Shepard Fairey, Pema Rinzin, Richard Gere, Ryan McGinness, Tenzing Rigdol, David Ellis, Gonkar Gyatso, Swoon and many more.

All artwork in the show will be sold via a silent auction on the evening of October 14. The evening event will feature a live-painting demonstration, DJ sets by Spirit Bear, and a silent auction that will offer excellent works with low opening bids. Drinks will be generously provided by Beerlao. Pre-bidding will be available online at www.artfortibet.com beginning October 7.

This event is made possible by the support of Honorary Committee members Sheprard Fairey, Richard Gere and Professor Robert A.F. Thurman, as well as Curatorial Committee members Simeon Lipman, Joshua Liner, Daniel Subkoff, Pema Rinzin, Tenzing Rigdol, Andrew Lockhart, Bruno Levy, Joseph Ian Henrikson, John Peet, Lisa Shimamura, Kurt Langer and Zahra Sherzad.

Auction and event information and a full list of participating artists are available at www.artfortibet.com. All proceeds from the event will benefit Students for a Free Tibet (SFT).

Read SFT’s Press Release here

ALERT: Tendor, SFT’s Executive Director, live on Al Jazeera English’s show ‘The Stream’ today!