Again on July 29^th, only in his mid 20s, Lobsang Ngodup staged a dramatic protest on the main road of Kardze County. He unveiled a portrait of the Dalai Lama and began chanting slogans. Eyewitnesses reported that he “continued to raise slogans for Tibet’s independence even while Chinese security personnel beat him severely.”

Lobsang Phuntsok, 17

Lobsang Ngodup

Similarly, in north eastern Tibet (Amdo), over 400 students from “Golog Senior Tibetan High School” demonstrated against destructive mining in the region. In late July, the students set out on a 60 kilometer march to the site of a copper mine in Dawu, Golog. The students later staged a sit-in at the county government offices. Police forced the students to disperse although no arrests were made.

News of the protest was reported by the Tibet Times and Voice of Tibet Radio. A photo of the protest was sent from Golog to sources in exile and later posted on Chinese social networking websites. Although promptly taken down, the photo attracted dozens of supportive comments.

Students in Golog stage sit-in at government offices.

Photo posted on Chinese social networking website www.renren.com.

One user who shared the photo commented:

“Forward this article if you are inspired by the sacrifice of our brave Tibetan brothers who are rising across Tibet.”

In 2010, a wave of student protests spread across Tibet and culminated with widespread protests for language freedom in late October. Students both in and outside Tibet are utilizing the power of nonviolent resistance and continue to be at the forefront of the Tibetan freedom struggle.

Especially for those of us who have walked the streets of Tibet, the images of the 3 monks throwing handfuls of pamphlets in the air and waving homemade Tibetan national flags, are both inspiring and chilling.

What’s probably most inspiring about the photos and video is the age of the young monks. All under 23, they risked everything to send a message to the Chinese government that Tibetans are not happy under Chinese rule, that Tibetans want the return of the Dalai Lama, and that Tibet’s new generation will take action.

The fate of the four monks, Khu Tashi 22, Tsering Gyaltsen 19, Tsering Wangchuk 22, and Ringzin Dorjee is unknown. The prison where they are being held, their condition, and their harrowing story may never be heard. But their courage, sacrifice, and message was. To Khu, Tsering, Rinzin, and Tsering, we heard your brave cries.

Similarly last week in Kardze, Eastern Tibet, up to 20 monks and nuns staged protests. Like the 4 monks from Ngagrong, their brave sacrifice was heard.

All 17 monks and nuns from Kardze, like the monks from Ngagrong, are part of Tibet’s new generation, a generation of brave, brilliant, and restless youth who feel the “temptation of freedom.”

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.

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

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

Following Phuntsok’s death, over a thousand brave Tibetans in Ngaba (Ch: Aba County), took to the streets. Their protest was swiftly quelled by Chinese security forces. In the ensuing days, Chinese forces arrested dozens of Tibetans and laid siege to Kirti Monastery.

Tensions mounted on April 12^th, fearing Chinese security forces plans to take away monks, Tibetans blocked the entrance of Kirti Monastery. Chinese soldiers tried to break through the Tibetans’ blockade by beating and setting dogs on the crowd. The Tibetans stood their ground.

Nine days later, police in Ngaba again attacked unarmed Tibetans and arrested over 350 monks from Kirti Monastery. Around 200 lay Tibetans formed a human chain attempting to stop the monks from being taken away. Two elderly Tibetans were killed as police beat their way through the human chain.

How did China respond to the siege at Kirti? A Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson acknowledged Phuntsok’s death but blamed it on “epilepsy treatment delays.” (China Daily) Nothing could be more insulting than to blame Phuntsok’s brave and tragic act on epilepsy.

A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry denied that security forces were blockading the monastery and added that Beijing’s policies in the Ngaba were “well received by local people” (BBC)

If this was so, then why did thousands of Tibetans pour into the streets after Phuntsok’s death? Why did thousands of Tibetans attend Phuntsok’s funeral to pay homage to Phuntsok? Photos and video received by Free Tibet campaign clearly show the blockade at Kirti and a massive police and military build up in Ngaba. Beijing’s policies have clearly not been “well received.”

The spark ignited by Phuntsok reached far beyond the streets of Ngaba. Tibetans and supporters across the world have held protests, vigils, and lobbied in support of Tibetans in Ngaba. Every day for the past 3 weeks, Tibetans in New York have staged daily protests and on April 25^th, the Tibetan Youth Congress in India launched an Indefinite Hunger Strike in New Delhi.

Tibetans in Ngaba have not only exposed the Chinese government’s brutality, but also the blatant lies they have told to cover up their actions.

As Beijing intensifies its sweeping crackdown on dissent, Chinese troops in Tibet are on the verge of “disappearing” hundreds of monks.

Tibetan monks in Dharamsala, India have received an urgent call for help from Ngaba County (Chinese: Aba County). They are reporting that Chinese troops attempted to storm Kirti monastery this morning. According to reliable sources, residents fear Chinese authorities are planning to forcibly remove all monks between the ages 18 and 40.

Local Tibetans, being alerted to the troops’ arrival, rushed to block the monastery entrance. The armed police and soldiers tried to break through the crowd by beating the Tibetans and setting police dogs on them. In spite of the violent attacks, the Tibetans stood their ground and the troops failed to enter the monastery’s inner gates. As of now, the standoff continues.

TAKE ACTION: Sign the petition to demand Chinese troops immediately stop the siege at Kirti Monastery.

Tibetans fear Chinese authorities are planning to transfer the monks from the monastery into local prisons where they will be subjected to China’s repressive political “reeducation”.

Tension in Ngaba has been high since the self-immolation of Phuntsok Jarutsang (pictured right), a 20-year monk from Kirti Monastery, on March 16, 2011. Chinese forces have been stationed around Kirti Monastery for weeks and more than a dozen monks have been arbitrarily arrested.

According to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights & Democracy as of yesterday, troops had completely sealed off the monastery. The monks’ dwindling food supplies are prompting fears of starvation in the monastery. The lives of many Tibetans are at stake.

Take Action: Let the Chinese authorities know the world is watching

1. Sign the petition and demand an end to the siege.
2. Organize a solidarity rally at the Chinese consulate nearest you or at a public landmark in your community. Find details of protests here. Send information about your protest to grassroots@studentsforafreetibet.org so we can alert others.
3. Spread the word. Forward this email to friends & family. Update your Facebook and Twitter status to “I stand with Tibetans in Ngaba”.

For more ways to take action, visit: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/ngaba

Let’s work together to end the siege at Kirti monastery, and to protect the monks and local Tibetans who are defending the monastery.

For more information, read the reports & articles below:

Chinese armed police cordon Ngaba Kirti Monastery, 2500 monks face food shortage (TCHRD)
http://www.tchrd.org/press/2011/pr20110411.html

Security step-up in Kirti monastery likely to starve monks (Phayul News):
http://is.gd/iaQ7tN

Ngaba Kirti Monastery Under Lockdown (Voice of America):
http://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Ngaba-Kirti-Monastery-under-Lockdown-119696874.html

More information about the incident on March 16th self-immolation:
http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=2306

January 13, 2011
For Immediate Release

Contacts: Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director, +1 646-724-0748

Kate Woznow, Deputy Director, +1 917-601-0069

Coalition Urges President Obama to Raise Tibet During US-China Summit

New York – A coalition of 39 Tibetan organizations and Tibet support groups across the United States sent a letter today to President Barack Obama asking that Tibet be a substantive part of the agenda during his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao on January 19th.

“President Obama and his administration must publicly and vigorously raise Tibet and human rights when he meets Chinese President Hu Jintao,” said Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet.  “Human rights and freedom for Tibetans – and indeed all people – are universal values that Americans hold dear and want championed when our leaders talk to China.”

The letter states that the United States’ “long-standing history of supporting the Tibetan people creates an incumbent duty on this Administration to continue to raise the issue with Chinese leaders at the highest levels.” The visit comes at a time when Chinese leaders are escalating their violent and repressive policies in Tibet, including a full-scale attack against Tibetan writers, artists and intellectuals.

The letter argues that China’s failed policies in Tibet have consequences far beyond Tibet’s borders. China’s wide-scale construction of dams on the upper-reaches of Asia’s largest rivers originating on the Tibetan plateau that flow into India, Cambodia and other neighboring countries, are fast becoming a potential source of regional instability.

Students for a Free Tibet, along with the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York/New Jersey and Washington D.C. and the Capital Area Tibetan Association, is planning a series of protests from January 18th-20th in Washington, D.C. to coincide with Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit. A full schedule of the protests is available at: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/hujintao

The text of the letter and list of signatory groups are as follows:

January 13, 2011

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We, the undersigned Tibetan Associations, organizations and Tibet support groups, are writing to ask that you make Tibet a substantive part of the agenda when President Hu Jintao visits Washington on January 19.

You have spoken often of the universality of fundamental human rights, most recently to mark the awarding of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to imprisoned Chinese writer and democracy activist Liu Xiaobo.

As you are aware, for the past six decades, the Tibetan people have been denied their fundamental human rights.  President Hu Jintao’s visit to Washington is a unique opportunity to engage him meaningfully on the Tibet issue and showcase the ideals and values cherished by Americans, including openness, democracy and individual liberty.  These principles underlie your remarks about rights that are universal to all human beings.

The United States has a long-standing history of supporting the Tibetan people and their peaceful struggle for human rights and freedom.  This support has become institutionalized within the U.S. government through the development of policies and programs designed to help Tibetans preserve and promote their culture, identity and dignity.  You have commended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s tireless efforts to negotiate a resolution for Tibet with the Chinese government, a position consistent with long-standing U.S. policy.

Tibet is an integral part of the U.S.-China relationship for moral, historical and strategic reasons.  The position the United States has adopted on Tibet creates an incumbent duty on this Administration to continue to raise the issue with Chinese leaders at the highest levels. Tibet must be on the agenda of your summit with President Hu.

The recent protests by Tibetan students objecting to the central government’s plans to subordinate the Tibetan language to Mandarin as the language of instruction are emblematic of China’s policy failures in Tibet.

Moreover, there is a growing recognition of the potential impact China’s infrastructure projects on the Tibetan plateau will have on access to water in downstream countries, as Secretary Clinton noted during her visit to Cambodia.  The role of Tibet, also known by scientists as the “Third Pole,” in global climate change is further evidence that developments in Tibet are anything but the exclusive internal affairs of the People’s Republic of China.  Without a multilateral framework to address these issues, Chinese policies in Tibet could exacerbate regional instability.  A just and lasting solution for Tibet that includes Tibetans as integral stakeholders will bring greater stability for China, its regional neighbors and indeed the world.

These points underlie the central message that we ask you to convey to President Hu – that the United States has, and will continue to have, a strong interest in Tibet and will remain committed to facilitating a just and lasting resolution for Tibet.  This commitment comes with an expectation that Tibetans must be freely able to exercise their basic human rights and freedoms, preserve their distinctive culture, and address the ecological, educational, political and economic consequences of the Chinese government’s failed policies in Tibet.

The U.S. government should continue to press China’s leadership for results-oriented negotiations to achieve a political solution for Tibet and engage China in topical areas, including education policies pertaining to Tibetans and regional discussions on water security.

Your proactive approach will demonstrate to the Chinese government that Tibet is an integral part of the U.S.-China relationship as are basic universal values of human rights and dignity.  Again, we thank you for your public expressions of support for the Tibet issue and for your leadership in raising it with Chinese leaders, and look forward to your continuing to exert this leadership when you meet with President Hu.

Sincerely,

Association Cognizance Tibet, North Carolina
Capital Area Tibetan Association
Indiana Tibetan Association
Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association
Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota
Tibetan Association of Boston
Tibetan Association of Charlottesville
Tibetan Association of Colorado
Tibetan Association of Connecticut
Tibetan Association of Idaho
Tibetan Association of Ithaca
Tibetan Association of New York and New Jersey
Tibetan Association of North Carolina
Tibetan Association of Northern California
Tibetan Association of Ohio and Michigan
Tibetan Association of Santa Fe
Tibetan Association of Philadelphia
Tibetan Association of Southern California
Tibetan Association of Washington
Utah Tibetan Association
Wisconsin Tibetan Association
Bay Area Friends of Tibet
Boston Tibet Network
Committee of 100 for Tibet
International Campaign for Tibet
International Tibet Independence Movement
Los Angeles Friends of Tibet
Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York and New Jersey
San Diego Friends of Tibet
Santa Barbara Friends of Tibet
Seattle Friends of Tibet
Sierra Friends of Tibet
Students for a Free Tibet
Tibet Committee of Fairbanks
The Tibet Connection
Tibet Justice Center
Tibet Online
U.S. Tibet Committee
Western Colorado Friends of Tibet

-30-

Language forms the foundation of Tibet’s unique and vibrant culture; to deny Tibetans their language is an attack on their fundamental human rights. Overnight, language became a flashpoint of cultural resistance inside Tibet, and has sparked a solidarity movement worldwide.

Support SFT’s global grassroots effort to pressure China to respect Tibetans’ fundamental right to language by clicking here.

SFT’s Tendor and Ven.    Lobsang Monlam

This Wednesday, we hosted the fourth episode of the Renaissance Series, In My Mother Tongue: Freedom Through Language. Ven. Lobsang Monlam, the creator of the Monlam Tibetan Unicode, gave an inspiring presentation about new digital tools he has helped develop – including the newly released Tibetan keyboard for iPhone 4.2 – that are helping to elevate the global status of the Tibetan language.

SFT’s Renaissance Series was launched this summer to promote the writings, poetry, music, and other works of art and literature banned in Chinese-occupied Tibet.

 In spite of China’s escalated repression following the widespread protests in 2008, there is a cultural renaissance underway in Tibet. Writers, musicians, and intellectuals are boldly asserting their views as a form of resistance to China’s colonial occupation. Tibetans in Tibet and in exile are reclaiming their language as part of this renaissance. Through grassroots action and digital innovation, we can help ensure the Tibetan language flourishes, withstanding attacks from the Chinese government. Please help us to support this cultural renaissance, and amplify the voices of Tibetans inside Tibet that are calling for the protection of their language by donating today.

Below are photos and videos from solidarity actions and lobbying initiatives held around the world. More actions have taken place and are being organized in Dharamsala, Mundgod, Bylakuppe, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, New York, San Francisco, Portland, Utah, Wisconsin, Vermont, and many more.

Please email us with photos and videos of your solidarity actions or to request resources.

Madison, WI: Solidarity Video
The members of Madison SFT and RTYC Wisconsin compiled this video with the help of local children to show their support for the students in Tibet.

Chicago, IL: Protest & Solidarity Rally
December 2, 2010: About 50 Tibetans protested in front of the Chinese Embassy in Chicago against China’s recent educational reform. This protest was organized by the Wisconsin Tibetan Association of Madison. The RTYC (Regional Tibetan Youth Congress) and SFT (Students for Free Tibet) of Madison participated in the protest as well. Members of the Chicago Tibetan Community joined the protest.

Dharamsala, India: Tibetan Language Rights Solidarity Protest
On October 31st, Students for a Free Tibet India held a candlelight march and rally in solidarity with Tibetan students in Tibet.

New York City: Solidarity Rally
On October 20th, around 60 students and Tibetan community members gathered in NYC’s busy Union Square park to send a message of solidarity to the thousands of Tibetan students who have protested for “Equality of Race and Freedom of Language.” More from Young Tibet News.

Bard College, New York: Photo campaign and discussion

St. Paul Minnesota: “Rebkong Lobby Day”
On October 25th, members of the Tibetan community, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, and SFT delivered 28 letters to both the House and Senate – the Governor and Attorney General. Local Minnesotans ages 7 to 70 yrs stood in solidarity with the students in Tibet. More from the Tibet Express.

Portland, Oregon: Protest and Solidarity Rally
On October 29th, dozens of Tibetans and Tibet supporters, joined by SFT Portland State, came together in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square to show their solidarity with Tibetan students in Tibet. Participants carried the letters of the Tibetan alphabet, passed out flyers, and held signs and banners.

Middlebury College, Vermont: Photo campaign

San Francisco, California: Protest at Chinese Consulate.
On October 29th, members of the Tibetan community of San Francisco protested in front of the Chinese consulate to show their solidarity with Tibetan students in Tibet.

Mundgod, India: Solidarity march
On October 24th, monks of Gaden Jhangtse Thoesam Norling school march with banners, placards and the Tibetan national flag in Mundgod Tibetan settlement in south India to protest against the Chinese government’s forced replacement of Tibetan language by Chinese language as the medium of instruction in Tibetan schools in Tibet. (photo: phayul)

Bylakuppe, India: Candle light vigil
On October 24th, over 650 Tibetan school students in  Bylakuppe staged a candle light vigil in solidarity with Tibetan students in Tibet. More from the Tibet Post

Zurich Switzerland: Demonstration
On October 26th, over 350 people took part in a demonstration outside of the Chinese consulate in Zurich on  October 26th. More from the Tibet Post

Warsaw, Poland: Protest of Chinese official
On November 2nd, a group of Tibetans holding Tibetan flags and banners demanding language freedom in Tibet greeted Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the People’s Consultative Conference. The Chinese delegation to Warsaw used a back entrance of Polish Senate building to avoid contact with protesters. More from EPA (In Polish)

Brussels, Belgium: Lobby and public outreach
On October, 27th, Tibetan students and children stood in front of the European Parliament in Brussels. Participants appealed for support of the Tibetan language programs in Europe and in Tibet., More from VOA Tibetan News

Holland, Netherlands: Rally
On October 25th, Members of the Tibetan community in Holland staged a public “teach-in.”

Hamburg, Germany: Protest and vigil
On October 25th, a vigil was organized by the Tibet initiative Deutschland.

Tibetan Students in Chabcha (Amdo) protest, October 21st.

Three days back, as we began SFT’s nonviolent activist training for Tibetan and Indian students gathered at a serene farmland in lower Dharamsala, we received the electrifying news that thousands of students were protesting in Rebkong, Amdo in eastern Tibet. Around 2,000 students were staging a protest march to the Mahlo prefecture office, opposing Chinese government plans to replace Tibetan language with Chinese as the medium of instruction in their schools. Yesterday, we received further reports from Tibet that the protests have spread to Tsolho, another part of Amdo. This time the number of demonstrators has swelled to 8,000!

Surprisingly, photos and video of the protests were sent out immediately and published by RFA. The students carried signs that read: “Equality of Races, Freedom of Language.”

We cannot help but marvel at the serendipity of the event, which occurred on the same day that students and trainers from all over India, Nepal, UK, US and Canada have gathered here to study the art of nonviolent resistance. The Tibetan students in Rebkong, though not formally schooled in nonviolent resistance, were brilliantly practicing a powerful tactic of nonviolent force: staging a peaceful protest march to highlight and deter an impending injustice! Watch or read more at http://rfa.org.

These protests are without a doubt the largest in Tibet since the 2008 uprising, also known as the Maroon Revolution. In fact, these protests are nearly as big as the Chinese demonstrations in August against Beijing’s attempts to replace Cantonese broadcasts with Mandarin broadcasts in Guangzhou. While the Chinese authorities’ response to the Cantonese protests in Guangzhou was a mild detention of one person for five days, it remains to be seen how they will respond to the Tibetan protests.

We urge Tibetans and supporters around the world to phone or email their political representatives and ask them to press the Chinese government to allow Tibetans to study in their mother tongue, a plain and simple universal right. We encourage Tibetan speakers to take simple and creative actions to promote the Tibetan language by installing Tibetan typing software on their computers, or by downloading Tibetan ringtones on their phones, or by displaying Tibetan alphabets in prominent places, etc.

While information seeps out of Tibet on this ongoing movement to protect our language, let us pray and take action for the safety of the Tibetan students participating in these protests. In spirit and in action, we are with you.

Radio Free Asia’s coverage of the protest.

Sydney Morning Herald’s coverage of the protest.

BBC’s coverage of the protest.