SFT Press Release on Lhasa Torch Relay

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2008

CHINA PARADES OLYMPIC TORCH THROUGH TIBETAN CAPITAL LHASA UNDER LOCKDOWN
Massive Chinese Security Presence Places Lhasa Under Virtual Martial Law for Olympics Propaganda Exercise

New York – Chinese authorities have placed the Tibetan capital under virtual martial law to prepare for a one-day Olympic torch relay, which begins today at 9am, Beijing time. Three months after a Tibetan popular uprising against China’s occupation began in Lhasa, thousands of Chinese police and paramilitary forces have been mobilized in the city. Checkpoints have been set up, paramilitary forces have been marching through the streets, and trucks filled with riot police are patrolling throughout Lhasa.

“China’s parading of the Olympic torch through the Tibetan capital only three months after a popular uprising against Chinese occupation is blatantly political and offensive,” said Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “The Chinese government is wielding the Olympic torch as a tool of oppression over the heads of Tibetans still suffering under China’s brutal clampdown.”

An unconfirmed source in Lhasa has reported that Chinese officials have imposed an unofficial curfew banning unauthorized people from the streets until after 1pm when the torch relay concludes. The same source said that people have been told that they must not look out of their windows overlooking the torch relay route. According to a June 2nd report on China Tibet News, Tibetans have been “severely punished” for the crime of “creating and spreading rumors” regarding the torch relay.

“The torch relay in Lhasa is China’s latest episode in a series of betrayals of everything the Olympics represent,” said Kate Woznow, Campaigns Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “Parading the torch through Lhasa while Tibetans live under virtual martial law is China’s most egregious exploitation of the Games yet.”
(more…)

Radiohead Rocks a Pro-Tibet Message

I knew there was a reason they are my favorite band of all time and forever!

Radiohead used the opening show of their world tour last night (May 5th) to send an obvious message about China’s political and humanitarian actions in Tibet. The stage for the band’s show at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in Florida was decorated with two Tibetan flags.

Of course, this isn’t a new found cause for Thom and the band. They’ve been supporting Tibet for a very long time, all the way back to the Tibetan Freedom Concerts in the 90s. Here’s a video from one of those performances….

Read the full story on the launch of their new tour here: http://www.gigwise.com/news/42930/radiohead-kick-off-world-tour-with-tibet-message

Press Release: Activists Display Banner at India Gate

For Immediate Release

April 10, 2008

Contact: Tenzin Choeying - +91 981 636 8335
Tsering Choedup - +91941 822 1605
Shibayan Raha - +91 989 184 9844

Tibet Activists displayed banner at India Gate to protest China’s Torch Relay
The Action Demands ‘No Torch in Tibet‘

New Delhi - 4 Tibet activists displayed a banner reading “No Olympic Torch Through Tibet” in front of the India Gate amidst tight security a week before China’s torch relay passes through India that is expected to be welcomed by thousands of exiled Tibetans from all parts of India. It was a month ago that the Tibetans in Tibet began to show their resentment against China’s Illegal Occupation of Tibet. (more…)

Massive print coverage of Golden Gate Action

Some amazing front page, above the fold coverage of yesterday’s action in San Francisco

Day 21 Update from the March

The marchers left Kakru at 5:00am this morning and walked 26.5 kilometers to Shahabad Marganda (Vishwas).

At 11:00am, several marchers and march organizers held a press conference at Hotel Royal Inn in Ambala, in order to inform local media about the march and to reach out to local Indians. Mr. Tsultrim Tenzin, Member of Tibetan Parliament, and Mr. Chime Youngdrung, President of National Democratic Party of Tibet, along with four Core Marchers represented the March at the press conference, which had a very good turnout from local media.

After the press conference, Mr. Jeetu, owner of the Hotel Royal Inn, generously gave the group a 50% discount on the overall cost of holding the press conference in his hotel. He also gave free rides to the Core Marchers and the Organizing Committee members from the press conference to the campsite.

Mrs. Usha Gabha, Vice-Chairperson of Municipality, and Mr. Kewal Krishan Gabha, Nambardar, visited the campsite and showed their support for the Tibetan movement. Mr. Rishi Anootha, Incharge of Vishwas, also visited the marchers, who are very grateful to him for allowing them to stay there.

Starting on March 31st, the march will be broadcasting live video at three set times during the day: 10:30am, 4:00pm and 9:00pm. Please stay tuned for these regularly-scheduled live feeds, as well as additional broadcasts on some days.

Media Advisory: Global Day of Action for Tibet on March 31st

March 30, 2008

Contact:
B. Tsering, President, Tibetan Women’s Association +91 9418 792 810
Tenzin Choeying, National Director, Students for a Free Tibet India, +91 9816 368 335
Tsering Choedup, South-East Asia Coordinator, International Tibet Support Network +91 9819418221605
Youdon Aukutsang, Tibetan Member of Parliament & Tibetan Solidarity Committee Delhi Chapter, +91 9999915061

WORLDWIDE PROTESTS PLANNED TO COINCIDE WITH OLYMPIC TORCH ARRIVAL IN BEIJING
Million person online petition calls for China to talk to Dalai Lama

New Delhi – Tibetans and Indian supporters in New Delhi will participate in a Global Day of Action for Tibet on March 31st, when the Olympic Torch is set to arrive in Beijing. Along with protests, vigils, and prayer ceremonies intended to highlight the suffering of the Tibetan people under China’s current crackdown, the world’s fastest-growing online petition– calling for China to hold talks with the Dalai Lama–will be presented to Chinese government representatives and decision-makers in more than 80 cities in 27 countries. Tibetans in exile and Tibet supporters are calling for all Tibetan areas to be withdrawn from the Torch Relay. (more…)

Day 20 Update from the March

The march departed from Dera Bassi at 6:00am, in order to take advantage of the cooler temperature in the morning, and covered 19 kilometers. The marchers spent the night at Kakru in a Hindu Ashram where the Pandit Ji (caretaker of the Ashram) welcomed them with open arms and graciously took care of their needs.

Shortly after arriving at the Ashram, Mr. Tsultrim Tenzin, Member of Tibetan Parliament, paid a visit to the marchers and gave a motivational speech.

Two doctors, Lobsang Yeshi and Tashi Dorji, and two nurses, Karma Dolma and Tsering Yangzom, volunteered to join the march today. The marchers and Organizing Committee are very thankful for their services.

Close to mid-night, six monks from Sera Monastery arrived at the Ashram to join the march. The other marchers and the Organizing Committee are very pleased to welcome them.

Day 20 Update from the March

The march departed from Dera Bassi at 6:00am, in order to take advantage of the cooler temperature in the morning, and covered 19 kilometers. The marchers spent the night at Kakru in a Hindu Ashram where the Pandit Ji (caretaker of the Ashram) welcomed them with open arms and graciously took care of their needs.

Shortly after arriving at the Ashram, Mr. Tsultrim Tenzin, Member of Tibetan Parliament, paid a visit to the marchers and gave a motivational speech.

Two doctors, Lobsang Yeshi and Tashi Dorji, and two nurses, Karma Dolma and Tsering Yangzom, volunteered to join the march today. The marchers and Organizing Committee are very thankful for their services.

Close to mid-night, six monks from Sera Monastery arrived at the Ashram to join the march. The other marchers and the Organizing Committee are very pleased to welcome them.

Day 19 Update from the March

For the first full day, the first and second wave of marchers joined together for their journey towards New Delhi. The expanded group of marchers left the hospitable Shahadpur Gurudwara in Chandigrah to march 25 kilometers into Haryana. At noon, the Rotary Club of Haryana gave refreshments to the marchers.

Day 18 Update from the March

Since many of the Marchers did not have proper walking shoes, this morning was spent buying shoes and other necessary items in Chandigarh.

Around 5:30pm, the Marchers gathered together to walk the 5 kilometers from the Gurdwara to Sector 17 of Chandigarh where a candle light vigil was held. This walk was the first time the first group of Core Marchers and the second group of Core Marchers walked together. They walked in single file forming an impressively long line. (more…)