SFT’s March 10th Press Release: Global Protests Mark Tibetan Uprising Day

STUDENTS FOR A FREE TIBET

For Immediate Release:
March 10th, 2011

Contact: Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director, +1 646-724-0748
Kate Woznow, Deputy Director, +1 917-601-0069
Tenzin Dolkar, USA Director, +1 917-664-5530

GLOBAL PROTESTS MARK TIBETAN UPRISING DAY AS CHINESE FORCES CLAMPDOWN IN TIBET
New Generation of Tibetans Lead Nonviolent Resistance Movement in Tibet

New York – Thousands of Tibetans and Tibet supporters in dozens of countries will take to the streets today, March 10th, to commemorate the 1959 National Uprising when tens of thousands of Tibetans rose up to demand an end to China’s occupation. Chinese forces intensified security measures in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital in advance of the sensitive anniversary, barring foreign visitors and conducting late-night raids on hotels. In spite of China’s military stranglehold on their nation, a new generation of Tibetans is embracing nonviolent resistance tactics that defy Beijing’s authority, strengthen Tibetan identity, and inspire hope.

“50 years on, an entirely new generation of Tibetans – in Tibet and in exile – is rising up,” said Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “Young Tibetans are taking leadership of our movement by engaging in bold political acts and expressing their desire for freedom through music, literature, and social media; this generation is determined to finish what began a half century ago.”

A homegrown grassroots movement has gained momentum in Tibet in the past year, as a growing number of Tibetans engage in simple yet powerful actions – speaking only in Tibetan, eating in Tibetan-owned restaurants – particularly on Wednesdays, a day believed to be auspicious for the Dalai Lama (1). Well-known Tibetan musicians and intellectuals have also been boldly asserting their political views, prompting Chinese authorities to ban popular songs and detain more than 60 Tibetan cultural figures.

“The recent uprisings in the Arab world, along with the growing dissent in China itself, has further galvanized a new generation of Tibetans committed to taking nonviolent action to end Chinese rule,” said Tenzin Dolkar, Students for a Free Tibet’s USA Director. “The Chinese government has tried – and failed – to crush the Tibetan spirit. As we see people around the world rising up for freedom and democracy, we know it is only a matter of time before change comes to Tibet and China.”

In advance of the sensitive anniversary, the Chinese government has heightened security measures in Tibet in an attempt to deter Tibetans from engaging in any form of dissent. Three years ago today, Tibetan monks marching for the release of fellow monks were violently stopped by Chinese forces, sparking the largest and most widespread demonstrations against Chinese rule in Tibet since 1959. Chinese troops have been permanently stationed throughout Tibet since.

“The Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom has long enjoyed the support of the global community and we urge our government leaders to follow suit by pressing China to commit to a just and lasting resolution for Tibet,” said Kate Woznow, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet.

Tibetans and Tibet supporters in at least 100 cities worldwide today, including in the USA, Poland, UK, France, Germany, Canada, India, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, are demonstrating their support for the Tibetan freedom struggle through rallies, marches, candle light vigils, and government lobbying initiatives.

Note to Editor:

1) More information about the nonviolent resistance movement in Tibet can be found at http://www.Lhakar.org a website launched on March 9, 2011 by a diverse coalition of Tibetan writers, artists, and activists.

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SFTtv: Season 3, Episode 2

October 06, 2010
This week, TenDolkar reports on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s NYC visit, opening of Tibet in Song, China Gold mining protest in Canada, Qinghai-Tibet railway extension in Tibet, 4th year anniversary of Nangpa la Pass shooting and release of ‘Murder in the High Himalaya’ & breaking news on armed Nepalese police confiscating Tibetan ballot boxes in Kathmandu.

Click here to watch past episodes of SFTtv

Biggest Tibetan Demo Ever in Toronto – March 23, 2008

On the first Sunday of spring, in Toronto where the streets were relatively quiet because of the Easter long-weekend, thousands of Tibetans and Tibetan supporters rallied through the heart of downtown Toronto to protest China’s brutal crackdown on the uprisings inside Tibet, and to call on Canadians everywhere to be aware of and support the [...]

Protest in the Nation’s Capital – March 20, 2008

[Ottawa - Sunday, March 23, 2008] As people in Ottawa prepared for the long-weekend ahead on a cloudy and chilly Thursday morning, a riveting sight of more than seven hundred people holding the multi-coloured snowlion flags of Tibet enlivened the city and roused the Parliament Hill with chants for freedom and justice like never before. Tibetans [...]

A bit of humour for China’s viceroy in Tibet

From an obviously freaking out Zhang Qingli (the hard-line communist party chief in Tibet):

The Dalai Lama is a “a wolf in monk’s robe, a devil with a human face but the heart of a beast.”

 From a Canadian:

‘A wolf in monks clothing’? Hmm… okay. I counter that with referring to the Communist party officials as chimps in grey suits. They’re only a white cat away from being Dr. Evil. That is if they haven’t barbecued the cat yet.

In all seriousness though, Beijing has made a hated hatchet-man like Comrade Zhang its colonial viceroy in Tibet, and we are seeing the consequences right now.   How much oppression can the Tibetan people be expected to take before they rise up for freedom?

To paraphrase Princess Leia of Star Wars fame, “The more you tighten your grip, Zhang, the more Tibetans will slip through your fingers“

To Ottawa! (March 20, 2008)

This is a call to all freedom fighters and humanitarians to gather in front of the Parliament Hill on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 9 AM. The international spotlight is now focused squarely on the happenings inside Tibet. This is our moment to link arms with our brothers and sisters back in Tibet and turn that [...]

March 14, 2008 – Tibetans in Toronto Perform “Sangsol” Ceremony in Solidarity of Tibetans Detained in Tibet

[Friday, March 14, 2008 - Toronto, Canada] Amid reports streaming in from all major news outlets about fresh uprisings and revolts erupting all across Tibet, Tibetans in Toronto gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate building to perform “sangsol” (prayer ceremony) in solidarity with those that are being detained and hurt in the clashes. More than [...]

Canada Condems Chinese Crackdown

Canada appears to be the the first country to go on the record to condemn China’s latest crackdown in Tibet. According to the AFP:

Canada’s Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier on Thursday expressed “serious concerns” about China’s recent crackdown on protests by Tibetan monks. [...]

“These latest developments in Tibet are very troubling for us and for Canadians. We urge China to respect the right of Tibetans to peaceful protests and to take steps to improve the human rights situation in Tibet.”

Well said, but we hope for and expect much more. Much more than just words, and from many more countries around the world.

Bonus points to the the first country that says, “If independence is good enough for Kosovo, why not Tibet?“