TAKE ACTION: Chinese Police Open Fire On Tibetans Over Cement Factory Protest
O
n Saturday, May 15th, Chinese police opened fire on a group of Tibetans outside a cement factory in Madang Township, Labrang County, Amdo in eastern Tibet (Ch: Xiahe, Gansu province). At least 15 people were injured from gun wounds or beatings by the police. Tibetans in the area have been campaigning to stop the pollution caused by the factory, which, sources say, spews out so much dust that it is “difficult to open one’s eyes.”
TAKE ACTION: Send a letter to the Chinese authorities condemning this violent attack: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/madang
Call on the Chinese government to close the factory until the demands of the local Tibetans have been met. (We will also fax your letter to the county and provincial government offices).
Please also call the Xiahe County People’s Government Office to register your concern over this violent attack by Chinese police: +86 941 712 1818 (Please note: China is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time).
Read the International Campaign for Tibet’s report (in English): http://is.gd/cgDoj
Read the Tibet Times report (in Tibetan): http://is.gd/cgDmP
This incident is part of a growing crackdown by Chinese authorities against Tibetans advocating for environmental protection. Just last week, Radio Free Asia reported that five Tibetans were injured when police moved in to stop protests against mine operations in Markham, another part of eastern Tibet. Learn more: http://is.gd/cgDlm
Help ensure the Chinese government hears from people worldwide. Global pressure does make a difference and helps protect Tibetans inside Tibet who are risking everything to preserve their fragile homeland: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/madang
Thank you for all that you do for Tibet,
Tendor, Kate, TenDolkar, Schuyler, Mary Kate, Annie and the rest of the SFT HQ crew
MORE WAYS TO TAKE ACTION:
1) Call the Xiahe County People’s Government Office and register your concern over this violent attack against Tibetans: +86 941 712 1818 (please note: China is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time). You can also call the Gansu Provincial Government at: +86 931 460 9000
2) Print & fax a letter to the Gansu Provincial Government. Contact information can be found here.
Sample letter to the Chinese authorities:
Dear Secretary Lu Hao,
I am outraged to hear that Chinese police opened fire on unarmed Tibetans in Madang Township, Labrang County in Amdo, eastern Tibet (Ch: Xiahe, Gansu province) who were protesting pollution caused by the Amdo Cement Factory. I understand that 15 people were injured by the attack.
Tibetans in Madang have petitioned the Chinese government to stop the company from polluting the local environment, the preservation of which is crucial to their livelihood. The factory is also damaging religious sites in the area.
Instead of addressing these legitimate concerns, Chinese authorities sent armed police into the area who then opened fire on the Tibetans.
I join people worldwide in condemning this violent assault against peaceful protesters. This is a blatant violation of Chinese law and shows the extent to which Chinese authorities will go to silence Tibetans who dare protest the degradation of Tibet’s environment caused by Chinese or other foreign owned companies.
I call on you to immediately shut down the Amdo Cement Factory until the company agrees to address the concerns of the Tibetans in Madang Township and to order an investigation into the shooting incident. I further call on you to ensure those injured receive medical treatment and that no Tibetan is detained or harassed as a result of this incident. I will continue to monitor this situation closely and urge my elected representatives to do the same.
Sincerely,
Tibetan Freedom Writers & China’s Crackdown
Tagyal or "Shogdung", Tibetan writer arrested on April 23th
On Friday April 23rd, 2010, well known Tibetan writer and intellectual, Tagyal (pen name Shogdung ཞོགས་དུང་), was arrested in Xining.
Shogdung’s arrest is clearly part of a larger trend by the Chinese government to silence prominent Tibetan writers, artists and educators. As in any society writers, and artists in Tibet have become the voice of the common person. China’s recent arrest of Shogdung demonstrates that despite China’s claims that it grants “freedom of expression” to all citizens, in Tibet today speaking freely, even on paper is a serious crime.
One friend of Shogdung wrote in a blog post on www.sangdhor.com (now inaccessible) that the reason behind his arrest was, publishing a book, Distinguishing Sky from Earth, in which he criticized the Chinese govenrment for it’s brutal crackdown on Tibetan protests in March 2008.
One Tibetan blogger also wrote that Shogdung may have been arrested for his participation is writing an open letter to the victims of Kyegundo earthquake, where he and 7 others criticized authorities for their ineffective and possibly “corrupt” rescue and relief operations.
For more information on Shogdung and to read the fully translated open letter visit: High Peaks Pure Earth.
As China continues to deny Tibetans their fundamental right of expression, Tibetan writers and artists have become very popular critics of the Chinese government, especially among Tibetan students. Despite China’s best efforts, Tibetan writers continue to defy the Chinese government by speaking out.
List of known Tibetan Writers in detention:
Support Quake Victims’ Right to See the Dalai Lama
TAKE ACTION: Please honor the wishes of Tibetans in Kyegundo by urging your elected representatives to support a visit by the Dalai Lama to the earthquake zone. (Note: a sample letter is below).
If you are in the U.S., read the resolution passed on May 20th by the U.S Congress.
On Saturday, the Dalai Lama held a press conference in which he expressed his desire to visit Kyegundo to offer prayers and much needed support to the affected community. Watch the video. His statement comes a day after a heartfelt letter was sent from Tibetans in the quake zone to China’s leaders requesting the Dalai Lama be allowed to visit. Please read & share the translated letter.
The Tibetans in Kyegundo have the right to be with their beloved leader at this distressing time. Please join us in sending a clear message to the Chinese government that the global community honors this request.
Sample letter:
Find your representative in Canada
Find your representative in the European Union
Find your representative in the U.K.
Find your representative in India
Find your representative in Latin America
Dear [NAME],
As I am sure you are aware, Tibetans revere the Dalai Lama as their spiritual and political leader. In fact, the Dalai Lama himself was born in this part of eastern Tibet now called Qinghai province of China.
As the rightful leader of the Tibetan people, and one of the most respected global leaders of our time, the Dalai Lama has every right to be with his people in their hour of need. I ask that you raise this issue with your counterparts in the [INSERT YOUR COUNTRY NAME HERE] government, and do everything in your power to support the Dalai Lama’s desire to visit the earthquake zone.
Furthermore, please call on [your President, Prime Minister, Decision maker] to issue a statement of condolence to the Dalai Lama as the rightful leader of the Tibetan people affected by this terrible earthquake.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
MORE INFO & ANALYSIS ON THE EARTHQUAKE:
It’s almost been a week since a massive earthquake struck Kyegundo in Kham, eastern Tibet (Ch: Jiegu or Yushu). The official death toll has now reached 2,000 – though Tibetans from the area say the true number is much higher – with at least 195 people still missing and more than 12,000 injured. An estimated 100,000 people are now homeless. Click here to support to the earthquake relief effort.
Media coverage from the quake zone clearly shows Tibetans expressing their devotion to the Dalai Lama and praying to him for support in their time of need. Click here to watch CNN footage of Tibetans picking through the rubble of their homes and respectfully touching photos of the Dalai Lama to their foreheads.
Click here to watch moving footage of a Tibetan woman singing a traditional prayer mantra and praying to the Dalai Lama to guide the souls of the dead as she watches the mass cremation of earthquake victims on Saturday.
You can also take action by sending a message of condolence to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile – the rightful representatives of the Tibetan people – through SFT’s website.
Voice of Tibet radio service has also set-up a hotline for people to send message of support into Tibet. Click here to learn more.
Given the long-standing suffering of the Tibetan people at the hands of the Chinese government, Tibetans are understandably distrustful of the Chinese state-controlled relief efforts. Read this in-depth article from the New York Times discussing the tensions in Kyegundo as Chinese leaders use the rescue efforts as an opportunity to forward their Tibet propaganda efforts.
Thank you for supporting the people of Kyegundo, and indeed all Tibetans, at this distressing time.
Send a Message of Condolence to the Dalai Lama and Support his Right to Visit Quake Zone
Tibetans in Kyegundo hold portrait of the Dalai Lama
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, many governments have issued statements of condolence and support to the Chinese government. Please write your own message of condolence to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile – the rightful representatives of the Tibetan people.
Tibetans in Kyegundo have appealed to China’s leaders to allow the Dalai Lama to visit the quake zone and he has expressed a desire to go there to offer prayers and provide much-needed support. As the true leader of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama has every right to be with his people in their hour of need.
Click here to post your comments and SFT will send it to the Office of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
Voice of Tibet radio service has also set-up a hotline for people to send message of support into Tibet. Click here to learn more.
UPDATE: Letter from Tibetans in quake zone requesting visit by the Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama's photo in earthquake stricken Kyegundo
Please read & share this moving request from Tibetans in the earthquake zone:
Requesting His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to the Quake Area:
A letter from the victims of the Yushu Earthquake to President Hu and Premier Wen
(Boxun Beijing Time: 2010 April 16)
Dear President Hu and Premier Wen,
Wish you both good health. During the initial hours of the natural disaster, we appreciate your government’s immediate relief efforts through soldiers and all round support from different sections of the society and we, the victims of this calamity, thank you for the same.
But we are a deeply religious community having a strong faith in the teachings of Buddha. Since many generations, we have a deep faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Today, as we are suffering from a great physical and mental anguish, we really need His Holiness to visit the quake affected area to pray for the departed souls and to provide solace to the broken hearts. Today, we request you, president Hu and premier Wen, to find the compassion in your hearts and fulfill this desire of us quake victims. We, the quake victims numbering more than 10,000, implore you from our hearts to temporarily set aside your government’s political differences with the Dalai Lama and kindly consider our request.
With this invitation to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we have no other objective apart from fulfilling our religious aspirations of praying for the departed souls and the survivors of the disaster.
In this hour of distress, His Holiness’ visit to offer prayers and condolences in person is the only way to heal our wounded hearts. There is no other better way.
(courtesy: www.boxun.com)
Letter also posted in Tibetan at: http://www.tibettimes.net/news.php?id=2557
The Dalai Lama has also expressed his wish to visit the region: http://tibet.net/en/index.php#
Tibetan Prime Minister Samdhong Ripoche said this morning “If the external circumstances become favorable, there is no difficulty on the part of His Holiness’ aspirations and could make his visit to the affected areas at the soonest possible.”
Tibet Earthquake Update: More Ways You Can Help
Thank you to everyone who has taken action to support the relief efforts in Kyegundo (spoken Jyekundo). It is heartbreaking to hear the news and watch footage from the quake zone and our thoughts and prayers remain with those in the region.
SFT has posted a list of organizations that work in the region and have set-up emergency relief funds: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=2189
You can find updates on the relief efforts here: http://www.tibetanvillageproject.org/yer.html and here: http://yushuearthquakerelief.com/
We’re also working to educate the international community that the earthquake struck in Chinese-occupied Tibet (as opposed to “Western China” or “Qinghai province bordering Tibet”) and indeed, in a region with strong Tibetan resistance roots. Read SFT’s statement on the quake: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=2192
Ways that you can help:
1) Write a thank you note to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In her statement of condolences issued yesterday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (a long-time Tibet supporter) acknowledges the impact of the quake on the people of China and Tibet.
Read her statement here: http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/pressreleases?id=1629
You can send her a message here: http://www.speaker.gov/contact/
2) Call on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to acknowledge the Tibetan victims of the quake.
In glaring contrast to Pelosi’s statement, Secretary Clinton does not once mention Tibet or Tibetans in her brief statement issued yesterday. Instead she expresses her support for all the people of China: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/04/140218.htm
Read SFT’s response here: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=2193
Help ensure she hears from Tibetans and Americans from across the country urging her to acknowledge that the earthquake took place in Tibet and its victims are overwhelmingly Tibetan. You can send her a message here: http://is.gd/buyXO
3) Call out CNN for not once referring to Tibet in its quake coverage.
While most of the major news networks include some mention of the quake victims being Tibetan or refer to Yushu as a Tibetan area of China, we are shocked by CNN’s omission of any references to Tibet in its quake coverage. Watch Errol Barnnett’s coverage from CNN’s China Quake Desk: http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2010/04/14/barnett.china.quake.update.cnn
Even CCTV, China’s state television network, recognizes Yushu as an overwhelmingly Tibetan area: http://english.cctv.com/program/worldwidewatch/20100415/105559.shtml
You can post comments directly to Errol on his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/ErrolCNN) and by tweeting @errolcnn.
Please also send your comments to CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form4.html?133
4. Read and share Josh Schrei’s Huffington post article on the quake: “To Die with Dignity in your Own Land: Tibet, China, and the Politics of Disaster.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-schrei/to-die-with-dignity-in-yo_b_538840.html (Josh is a long-time Tibet activist and former SFT Board Chair.)
Thank you for taking action at this difficult time,
TenDolkar and all of us here at SFT HQ
Sample message to CNN:
I am writing to express my concern about your Tibet earthquake coverage. The earthquake struck in the Tibetan area of Kyegundo (spoken: Jyekundo), in Tibet’s traditional Kham province. The Chinese government, which occupied Tibet in 1949, refers to the region as the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province. Even CCTV, China’s state television network, recognizes Yushu as an overwhelmingly Tibetan area. I call on you to, at a minimum, recognize that the earthquake struck a Tibetan area and that its victims are overwhelmingly Tibetan.
Huffington Post: To Die With Dignity in Your Own Land: Tibet, China, and the Politics of Disaster
Please read & share the Huffington Post article To Die With Dignity in Your Own Land: Tibet, China, and the Politics of Disaster by Josh Schrei, former SFT board chair and lifelong Tibet support.
Josh gets to the heart of the issue of the international media’s ongoing misrepresentation of where the quake hit. Article after article refers to the earthquake zone as “western China” or “Qinghai province bordering Tibet.” In reality, Kyegundo is located in the historical Tibetan province of Kham:
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, control over Kham and the wide, sparsely populated region of Amdo vacillated between Chinese and Muslim warlords and the Tibetan government in Lhasa. Finally, after a period of Tibetan independence the area was invaded and occupied by the People’s Liberation Army along with the rest of eastern Tibet in 1950. The entire region was divided by the government of the People’s Republic of China into its current provinces in 1965, but years of occupation and the migration of Han Chinese west into Tibetan provinces have not diminished this region’s Tibetan identity. Even China refers to the area as a “Tibetan area,” and the particular province — Yushu — is 97% Tibetan.
Background information on the region: This area has a long history of resistance to Chinese rule. In 2008, as protests raged across Tibet, Tibetans in Kyegundo and the surrounding areas also took to the streets to demand their independence and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
From Woeser’s 2008 Protest Updates:
March 20, 2008
A great number of students in Yushul County in Kham (Yushul [Ch. Yushu] Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province) held a protest, but at present we do not know what actions the authorities are going to take.
Three days ago (April 6, 2008), outside of one of the monasteries in Yushul (Ch. Yushu) County in Kham (Yushul Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province), over 100 Tibetans shouted such slogans as “Free Tibet” and “Let the Dalai Lama Come Home.” At that time the monastery was holding Buddhist ceremonies. The protesters were immediately suppressed by a large number of the armed police, and many people were arrested. An insider said that protests have erupted frequently in the county after the Lhasa Incident, each one suppressed by the armed police. Authorities have not announced the number of protesters who were arrested or whether there were any deaths or injuries.
Tibetan & Supporters hold vigils for victims of Tibet earthquake
Keep checking here for updates on prayer vigils and other events being planned by Tibetan communities around the world to mourn the loss of life in Kyegundo.
USA
New York, NY
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Deki Day Care Center (30-81 Steinway Street, Astoria, Queens)
Organized by: TCNY&NJ, TVA, Deki Day Care Center
Contact: Deki Day Care 718-278-1570, Thupten Sherab of TVA 718-726-2434, TCNY&NJ 917-721-6404
Saint Paul, MN
Date: Friday, April 16, 2010
Time: 5:00-8:00pm
Location: Tibetan Community Cultural Center (1096 Raymond Avenue)
Organized by: TAFM, RTYC of MN, RTWA of MN, SFT MN, Gyuto Dhama Center
Contact: Ngawang Dolker 763-639-4616
San Francisco, CA
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Nechung Buddhist Center ( 1224 Rivera St, El Cerrito)
Organized by: TANC
Contact: 510-666-1355; contact@tanc.org
Date: Friday, April 16, 2010
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: BFUU, Connie Barbour Hall (1924 Cedar Street, Berkeley)
Organized by: TANC
Contact: 510-666-1355; contact@tanc.org
CANADA
Toronto
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Parkdale Collegiate Institute (209 Jameson Avenue)
Organized by: SFT Canada, CTA of Ontario, TWA Toronto, CTC Toronto, Chushi Gangdruk Canada, TYC Toronto
Contact: Tenzin Lobsang; lobsang@studentsforafreetibet.org
UK
London
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Jamyang Buddhist Centre (43 Renfrew Road, London)
- Alex
on Renaissance Series: Amplify Tibet’s Revolutionary Beats - Perry Langlais
on High Peaks Pure Earth Summer 2010 Reading List - cobina-jane cumming
on Dramatic Photos: Tibetans Detained After Anti-Mining Protest in Shigatse
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