In the early morning hours on Monday, May 9^th, a group of us drove from New York to Washington D.C., to raise our voices at the U.S. China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. When our van pulled up in D.C., Tibetans were already confronting four full buses of Chinese officials and military personal.

SFT board member, Tenzing Barshee, unveiled a Tibetan flag in the face of Deputy Chief of the People’s Liberation Army, General Ma Xiaotian. Tibetan palas and amalas placed flags over the windows of their buses as activists confronted the Chinese officials.

As Tibetans in Ngaba, Eastern Tibet continue to experience repression from Beijing, Tibetans in D.C., brought their voices straight to the Chinese leadership.

By 1:00 PM, we gathered in front of the State Department. As 20 of us began to raise our bull horns, voices, and flags, we were joined by the 8 Ngaba Peace Marchers. During the previous 7 days, the marchers had epically walked from New York to Washington D.C., and insisted on walking the distance from Capitol Hill, where they lobbied their congressional representatives, to the State Department.

For the next 3 hours, we had unprecedented access to limousines and buses full of Chinese officials. We hounded them.

It was reported,”…protesters chanted “Shame on China!” and held signs outside the building that read “China — Stop Military Crackdown in Ngaba, Tibet! (Huffington Post)” and “Tibetan protesters demanded that China ensure the freedom of monks at the Kirti monastery (AFP).”

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton responded to the Dialogue by saying, the Chinese leadership “is trying to stop history, which is a fool’s errand” and called Beijing’s human rights record “deplorable.”

That night, back in New York, as I walked home, exhausted, my face burned by the sun, and my voice lost, I thought of the 8 marchers who tirelessly walked from New York to Washington D.C. I thought of the hundreds of monks, students, and lay Tibetans in Ngaba whose calls for human rights and freedom we delivered to the Chinese leadership.

It indeed was not a good day to be a Chinese official.

Click here to view photos from the protest.

As His Holiness exited with his entourage, he stopped to speak with a few of us. I held out a khata (traditional greeting scarf) and as I greeted him, he held my hands and said, “Don’t give up; you all must continue your work. Never lose hope, because change is definitely coming.”

He went on to say that in light of the increasing pace of change in China, it is important to work with the Chinese people – writers, intellectuals, artists, the opinion-makers of society.

The previous day, I had spoken at a conference bringing together Chinese dissidents, Tibetan activists, Mongolians, Uyghurs, and Taiwanese to discuss opportunities and develop strategies for advancing our respective struggles for freedom, democracy, and human rights.

I explained to His Holiness that our global network was engaging in strategic Chinese outreach by connecting with key democracy advocates, writers, artists, students, lawyers and intellectuals. He assured me our efforts will make a difference and that change is imminent.

In that moment, I felt the immensity of the work ahead of us, but also had the distinct feeling that victory was inevitable.

With your help we can bring about freedom in Tibet. Please donate today to support SFT’s work.

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As we build new and strategic alliances, we must continue to challenge China’s abuses in Tibet at every turn. I was reminded of this minutes after His Holiness left, when I joined Lobsang, the official videographer for the award ceremony.

Lobsang is from Ngaba, the county in Amdo, Tibet that is under attack by Chinese security forces. His 15-year-old cousin, Norbu, was shot dead by China’s armed police on March 16th, 2008 for taking part in a peaceful protest for Tibetan freedom.

Three years after the day Norbu was shot, Phuntsok Jarutsang, a 20-year-old monk, lit himself on fire in an act of protest against China’s repression, and troops have since laid siege on Kirti monastery.

Right now, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, are meeting with Chinese officials in Washington, DC. Urge the U.S. Administration to raise Tibet and human rights during this week’s U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue.

Together, we can ensure that one day soon, people like Lobsang – and all Tibetans – are united with their families and homeland.

Please support SFT today: http://sft.convio.net/site/Donation2?df_id=1345&1345.donation=form1

Thank you for all you do for Tibet,

Tenzin Dorjee (Tendor)
Executive Director

When we were out there in the icy rain marching and protesting, we had no idea our chants and messages would be heard loud and clear by President Obama, the First Lady, and Hu Jintao himself. As the Chinese President’s motorcade pulled up to the White House for the official state dinner – above the noise of the press cameras clicking – our chants were audible and impossible to ignore. “Hu Jintao Failed Leader” “President Obama Speak for Tibet” and “Free Tibet” are the messages heard by Hu Jintao that night.

In that moment, any doubt that I’d ever had about the purpose of street protests was wiped out of my mind. It became clear to me why we do what we do; our street protests make a difference. We shamed China’s leader and reminded our President that Tibet and the issues of human rights will continue to haunt them until concrete actions are taken to change the situation in Tibet.

Within a month’s time, I was back in our nation’s capital. I’d exchanged my worn winter garb for a suit for the 3^rd annual Tibet Lobby Day 2011. What better way to follow up on the protests from January than with meetings with our political representatives? Check out photos from Global Tibet Lobby Day 2011.

We took our activism from the streets of D.C. to the halls of Capitol Hill – and this time we advocated for Tibet as constituents of American politics.

More than a hundred Tibetans and Tibet supporters took time off work and school to be part of the third annual Tibet Lobby Day. SFT’s young leaders from California, Kentucky, Utah, New York, Virginia, DC, Maryland, New Hampshire, Florida, Maine, Wisconsin and Massachusetts made their presence felt and their voices heard in the halls of political power.

In advance of Lobby Day, SFT held a 2-day training at American University to prepare. Over 25 participants attended workshops on Public Speaking, Teaching Tibet, Media & Messaging and we were lucky to get the lowdown on Understanding Why We Lobby with International Campaign for Tibet’s (ICT) president Mary Beth Markey.

The purpose and goal of Lobby Day extends beyond the “asks” we bring up with our Members of Congress. We meet with our political representatives to thank them for their support and to encourage greater political and programmatic support for the Tibetan people. At the same time we are fostering invaluable relationships with our nation’s decision makers and building the voice and presence of Tibetan-Americans as a critical constituent base. Most importantly, we are empowering our next generation of young leaders to assert themselves in the struggle for Tibet’s freedom.

I can remember my first year lobbying in 2009. I was a bundle of nerves and three years on I still felt that rush of nervous energy as I climbed the stairs of the Senate building. But one thing I’ve learned ­– and reminded myself in that moment – is that I have agency. Unlike my fellow countrymen and women in Tibet, I am free to speak up and I have a responsibility to share the dreams and desire of my people for freedom – wherever and whenever I can; whether in the streets or in the offices of my elected leaders.

If you are a Lobby Day veteran, I encourage you to participate next year and the year after. It might make not make a difference today, or tomorrow, but when a decisive moment for Tibet’s future comes – and we know it will – our friends in the U.S. Congress can help tip the balance in favor of freedom. And for those of you who haven’t taken the blue pill, I strongly urge you to give it a try and challenge yourselves to experience this next level of outreach and advocacy for our cause. You’d be surprised how great you’ll feel!

The ad has ignited a public debate. Many are thankful that Groupon has chosen to raise the Tibet issue on prime time TV, promising to match up to $100,000 in donations to the charity, Tibet Fund.

Many are also dismayed that the ad presented the Tibet issue in a way that trivialized the Tibetan people’s struggle for human rights, freedom and survival.

Why such a strong division in the public reaction? The answer may lie in the fact that Tibet is an emotional issue for many people. It is also one of the most recognizable, vibrant, and effective non-violent movements of our time, deserving of the highest respect and sanctity.

For more than six decades, the Tibetan people have waged a nonviolent battle to regain the freedom to determine their own future and to live in peace in their own country. The cost has been brutally high. Yet, in spite of the hardships and suffering, the Tibetan people are resolute in their determination to end China’s occupation of Tibet.

For 6 million Tibetans, the movement is about survival and their sovereign right to be free and independent from China’s violent and brutal rule.

For Beijing, Tibetans are their David; the Tibetan people have single-handedly challenged China’s dictators more effectively than any other nation or government or corporation.

For many people living in the United States or in other parts of the world, the Tibet issue is a beacon of hope in a world dominated by violence. The Dalai Lama is one of the most respected world leaders of all time. In 2008, when the Tibetan people rose up against China’s tyranny, the global public – albeit not our leaders – rose up in support of their actions.

The Groupon ad may have been in poor taste and struck a chord of dissonance in many people, but, precisely because of this blunder, the word ‘TIbet’ – and awareness about the existential threats faced by Tibetans under China’s occupation – has now reached the homes of many more millions than it would have if the ad had been more politically correct and only seen one time during the Super Bowl.

In addition to the publicity, the Groupon ad aims to raise funds for Tibetan refugees; one of the world’s most vulnerable populations. This in and of itself is a good thing, and we encourage everyone who can to donate to support Tibetan exiled communities.

If you buy a Groupon coupon for $15, the company will donate $30 Tibet Fund to help Tibetan youth in India: http://www.groupon.com/deals/the-tibet-fund/

The outpouring of concern, opinion and debate regrading the ad is a clear indication that the Tibet issue is alive and strong in the consciousness of people around the world.

If you feel the ad trivialized the Tibetan people’s movement, let it be a call to action to help this important struggle.

If this ad gave you your first exposure to Tibet, we encourage you to learn more and to take action in support of the Tibetan people.

BELOW ARE 5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

1) Join Students for a Free Tibet’s email list to stay up-to-date on current developments in Tibet and ways to help: www.studentsforafreetibet.org/join

2) Join a local Tibetan organization or Tibet support group in your community: www.tibetnetwork.org

3) Write to your elected representatives and ask them to take action on the Tibet issue: www.studentsforafreetibet.org/political

4) Speak out for the release of a Tibetan political prisoner: www.freetibetanheroes.org

5) Support SFT’s work for TIbet: www.studentsforafreetibet.org/donate

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche in Lithang, eastern Tibet

I was attending the World Social Forum in Brazil when the Chinese government executed Lobsang Dhondup and sentenced Tenzin Delek Rinpoche to death. I was checking my email in a small cybercafe in Porto Alegre, surrounded by activists from across the globe, when I heard the news. At first, I just sat there. Stunned. Moments later, I couldn’t fight it back, and I wept. Then, I resolved to fight. It was a defining moment for me as a young Tibetan activist.

Up until that moment, I had somehow been convinced that the Chinese wouldn’t go through with it. They hadn’t dared to execute a Tibetan in such an overtly political and high-profile way for nearly 20 years, not to mention the incredible amount of unwanted attention and government pressure the Chinese were facing as a result of the global outcry and campaign in support of the two men. I was sure it was helping. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

On January 26th, 28-year old Lobsang Dhondup was executed, likely with a bullet to the head, and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s death sentence was upheld, with a two year reprieve. Lobsang’s relatives never got to see his body. Only his ashes were returned to them.

Looking back on that day now, I see how naive I was to think that the Chinese authorities didn’t have the stomach for the fight – that they would somehow be unwilling to risk the negative press and global condemnation – and therefore wouldn’t carry out the sentences. I guess at that time, despite all I knew of their cruelty, all of the horror I had heard about since I was a small child, I had to learn this lesson and never forget it.

Though the Chinese government proved me wrong in my judgment that day, I was neither defeated nor hopeless. In fact, their brutal and heartless treatment of these two innocent Tibetan men only increased my determination to work harder and my conviction in the justice of this fight. And fight we did. In the campaign to stop Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s execution in the years that followed, we did everything we could possibly think of – from street protests and direct actions at Chinese embassies & consulates, to online advocacy campaigns and government lobbying – to gain global public and political support, and to inspire people to take action.

In the end, on January 26, 2005, the Chinese government commuted Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s sentence to life imprisonment for what they said was “good behavior” while in prison. Call it whatever they like, we knew why they did it. And though we were not able to help Lobsang Dhondup, I truly believe we saved Rinpoche’s life. This is the most important lesson. We can make a difference. We must fight. We might not win every battle, but we must always try.

We did our best for Rinpoche then, and we must do it again now. And never ever give up.

Please take action and help us free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche:

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Tibetans and their supporters dogged the Chinese leader everywhere he went during his 3-day visit to Washington, D.C. Giant skeleton puppets representing Hu’s failed leadership and decades of repressive policies in Tibet haunted him in the streets of the U.S. capital. 
Watch a video roundup and view photos of the colorful protests.

From implementing martial law in Tibet in 1989 to his ongoing crackdown against pro-Tibet protesters, Hu Jintao has pursued policies that brutalize and marginalize the Tibetan people. Read the press release by Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) and the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) denouncing Hu Jintao’s failed leadership on Tibet and highlighting the Tibetan people’s enduring spirit of resistance.

SFT and TYC also jointly projected pro-Tibet images onto the Chinese embassy in D.C. during Hu’s visit.

On Wednesday, SFT’s Executive Director, Tenzin Dorjee (Tendor), spoke at a coalition rally in front of the White House alongside representatives from the Ugyhur, Taiwanese, Burmese, Chinese democracy and human rights communities. Each speaker echoed the call for long overdue change in Tibet and in China; Beijing must respect universal values of human rights and freedom if China is to be truly accepted as an equal among nations and a leader on the world stage.

Our Pressure is Working! Thanks to the consistent pressure on the Obama administration over the past two years, Tibet was raised as a central issue in the United States’ human rights agenda with China. President Obama pressed his Chinese counterpart to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama and his representatives.

Through our continued efforts, we can ensure that our government leaders collectively stand up to China and press for an end to its illegal occupation of Tibet.

In the coming months, Tibetans and their supporters around the world will take part in what has become an annual Lobby Day for Tibet. On this day we visit our elected representatives, update them on the situation inside Tibet, and ask for their support of the Tibetan people’s nonviolent struggle for freedom.

If you are interested in taking part in the Lobby Day events, please contact: grassroots@studentsforafreetibet.org and we’ll send you more information pertaining to your country.

Support SFT’s hard-hitting actions for Tibetan freedom:
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In those days, while pursuing international support for Tibet, Tibetans were often challenged to provide proof of the atrocities taking place there. But other than the eyewitness accounts of escaping refugees, we had none. There were no digital cameras to record the abuses, and no Internet or cell phones to communicate directly with Tibetans inside the country. In the eighties, if we received a simple post card from our family or friends in Tibet, even with most of the text blacked out, it was cause for celebration. This lack of connection and “hard evidence” often left Tibetans feeling helpless and frustrated as we tried to build our movement.

But the Nobel Peace Prize helped to change all that. Along with the protests in Tibet in the mid to late eighties, the award gave global recognition to our struggle, and a kind of validation to our suffering. Most importantly, it helped spark the birth of the modern Tibet support movement which has played a critical role in keeping the Tibetan issue alive in the international community and gives moral support and encouragement to Tibetans still suffering under Chinese oppression.

This year, the Nobel Peace Prize gives global recognition to the aspirations of the Chinese people for human rights and democracy — aspirations that the Chinese government, and many in the Western world, have claimed they don’t have or need. Thanks to Liu Xiaobo’s fearless words and tireless advocacy for change in China – and the Nobel Committee’s courageous decision to honor him – the world is, at long last, paying attention to the human rights crisis inside China. And there is no question that something is very wrong, indeed Liu Xiaobo’s harsh prison sentence and Beijing’s hysterical response to his award is proof of this.

By imprisoning Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese authorities have done exactly what they were trying to stop – they have spread his ideas and his writings across China and around the world, and far from silencing his voice, they have ensured that he is being heard by people everywhere. Far more dangerous for them though, Liu Xiaobo’s words are inspiring and invigorating a new movement of Chinese, Tibetan and other rights advocates. This is the key to change in China and this is why they are terrified.

Back in 1989, on that beautiful day when His Holiness received his medal in Norway, we couldn’t have imagined that the Dalai Lama would become a household name, one of the most recognized and popular global leaders of our time and a serious challenger to the Chinese government’s influence in the world. And now, as we stand at yet another historic crossroads in the epic battle for rights, freedom and global peace, I cannot help but feel real optimism for what the future may hold, for Liu Xiaobo, for the Chinese people, for Tibetans, for all of us.

On 13th November 2010, the APEC leaders gathered at Yokohama, Japan for the APEC Forum. A peace march and demonstration against China’s continued and brutal suppression of Tibet was organized by the Tibetan Community Japan with the support of Student for Free Tibet Japan.

The significant day began with speeches delivered by Zenkoji Temple Ven.Wakaomi, followed by the Vice President of the Tibetan community Ms. Dolma Tsering. In her speech, she explained the purpose of the demonstration:

“We are not here to protest against the countries participating in the APEC forum and we support a successful outcome. However, it is our appeal to the various world leaders gathered to raise the issue of human right and Tibet with China in a concrete way.”

Finally, everyone vigorously sang the Tibetan national anthem led by the Tibetan people. Makino Seishu, Japan ruling Diet member and ardent supporter of Tibet sent the following message:

“I firmly believe the core political agenda in the 21st century rests with the dilemma of human rights and poverty alleviation. With addressing and solving these issues, there will be peace in this world. And I am committed to addressing the Tibet issue in the spirit of non violence and dialogue with the people of the world. Being one of the politicians of Japan, I share my solidarity with the people protesting here today.”

The famous Japanese Alpinist Ken Noguchi also sent a message of support:

“According to China, Tibet is an internal problem and China always warns to other countries not to intervene in China’s internal affair. Until now, many Tibetan have been jailed, tortured and killed. Is this act of brutality not a human rights issues rather than China’s internal affair? I think human right issues have no boundaries.”

Around 140 people joined the protest which started near the APEC venue in Goshoyama Park and passed through Isezakicho mall, ending up at Yokohama Park. SFT Japan especially emphasized the recent Chinese language policy imposed on Tibetans and designed to eradicate the Tibetan language in Tibet. The protest was covered by various Japan media, including NHK.

The main objectives of the protest were to protest China’s continued and brutal suppression of the Tibetan people and culture, including the recent decision to make Chinese language the medium of instruction in Tibetan schools in eastern Tibet, a move aimed at eradicating the foundation of Tibetan language.

Yokohama city deployed 21,000 Japan police to avoid any disruptions to the G20 Forum.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman protests during the arrival of China’s vice president Xi Jinping, in New Zealand.

Dr Norman waved the Tibetan flag and called “freedom for Tibet” as the Chinese delegation walked by, a scuffle broke out as an umbrella was shoved over him and the flag forcibly removed from his grasp then thrown to the ground. Norman emerged with a bleeding hand but made his message heard.

Support MP Russel Norman:

Post a comment of support on the Channel 3 News of New Zealand’s website .

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For Immediate Release
May 21st, 2010

Contact:
Tenzin Dorjee, +1 646-724-0748
Kate Woznow, +1 917-601-0069

TIBET ADVOCATES URGE SECRETARY CLINTON TO RAISE TIBET AS A CORE ISSUE AT US-CHINA DIALOGUE; BOYCOTT TIBET PAVILION AT SHANGHAI EXPO

New York – As US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins a week-long trip in Asia, Tibet advocates are calling on her to raise Tibet as a core issue at the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue taking place in Beijing from May 24-25. Advocates are also urging her to avoid the controversial Tibet Pavilion during her visit to the Shanghai Expo tomorrow. Clinton’s China visit comes amidst reports of intensifying repression against Tibetan writers, bloggers, and anyone who dares to openly criticize or share information about Chinese government policies in occupied Tibet.

“We call on Secretary Clinton to raise Tibet as a core issue in US-China relations and to press for tangible results towards a just and lasting resolution for Tibet,” said Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “The Obama administration must not shy away from publicly and vigorously raising Tibet and freedom of expression at these meetings. The U.S. will only achieve its foreign policy objectives with China when it stands firm on core American interests.

“Tibet has become the barometer for this administration’s commitment to engaging China on human rights issues and we urge Secretary Clinton to go beyond the rhetoric by pressing for a results-driven discussion on Tibet at this dialogue,” added Dorjee.

In the lead up to the meetings in Beijing, Clinton will make a stop in Shanghai where she will visit the Shanghai Expo. Tibet advocacy groups worldwide are calling on government leaders to refuse to visit China’s controversial “Heavenly Tibet” pavilion, which attempts to mislead the world about the true situation inside Tibet.

“The ‘Heavenly Tibet’ pavilion is designed to hide the grim reality of China’s military rule in Tibet and is an insult to Tibetans and their supporters everywhere. In fact, the Dalai Lama – the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people – has called Tibet under Chinese rule a ‘hell on earth’,” said Kate Woznow, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “For secretary Clinton to visit the Tibet pavilion, especially at a time when Chinese officials are imprisoning Tibetans for doing nothing more than critiquing Chinese policies in Tibet, would send the wrong message about the Obama Administration’s commitment to human rights.”

Since protests swept across Tibet in March 2008, dozens of Tibetan writers, bloggers, and educators have been arrested, along with those who have shared information about China’s repression with the outside word. The arrest of leading Tibetan intellectual Tagyal (who goes by pen name Shogdung) and the transfer of imprisoned filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen to a Chinese labor camp are recent examples of the lengths to which China goes to silence Tibetan voices.

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