Activists Protest Occupation of Tibet on Great Wall of China
08 Aug 2007 04:44 GMT
Free Tibet Protest Marks Beijing Countdown at the Great Wall
Six Tibet independence activists from the UK, US, and Canada were detained after rappelling from the top of the Great Wall of China with a 450 square foot protest banner reading "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008" in English and Chinese. The dramatic action took place on the eve of the one-year countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Chinese authorities removed the activists after two hours; their current whereabouts are unknown.
"The Chinese government is exploiting the Olympics to gain acceptance as a world leader. By protesting at the Great Wall, the most recognizable symbol of Chinese nationhood, we’re sending a clear message that China’s dream of international leadership cannot be realized as long as it continues its brutal occupation of Tibet," said Tenzin Dorjee, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet. "We’re appealing to the international community to shine the light of scrutiny on China in the coming year," added Dorjee. "The Olympic dream of Tibetans is freedom by August 2008, and we call on the IOC and the global community to help us make this a reality." [Read more at SF Bay Area IMC] [UK Indymedia Report][Photos (Flikr) | Video (Youtube)]
Related:
Sydney IMC: Australian Film Crew questioned by Chinese Military in Tibet
Amnesty International: The Olympics countdown – one year left to fulfil human rights promises
Human Rights Watch: China and Tibet
Fuck Tibet
AC 08.Aug.2007 11:50
What is this obsession with Tibet? Tibet was a brutal theocracy before the Chinese revolution and the monks were basically slaveholders. These are the people you want to support?
These people are great!
jorge 10.Aug.2007 18:03
These people are wonderful. For years I've said that all these coward protesters should grow a spine and protest the real injustices in the world. I can't stand these "protestors" rallying against idiotic causes like getting women into men's golf clubs, protesting the fact that transexuals don't get the same health insurance for their partners, or illegal immigrant's rights (a contradiction), or the fact that communism/socialism/anarchism in the scope of history just doesn't seem to catch on beyond a local community level. The reason this (majority) type of protestor has to scrape for issues in America is because most of them are too afraid or too inconvenienced to take a stand against real tyranny and real social injustices where they actually exist. They know they would suffer real consequences if they went abroad. For instance, if you are concerned about women's rights, go to Africa and protest forced circumcision or to China to protest the selective abortion of female fetuses. Go to a third world country and protest a sweatshop. But like I said, these people aren't dumb. They know they can spout off all sorts of things in America and Western Europe. If they went to China and did that, they would at the very least be immediately arrested. Go to China and try to stir up outrage about the government, see what happens to you and those who listened to you. That being said, these people on the wall have guts. What they're doing isn't to be cool, or to belong to a social group, or a byproduct of youthful angst (rules out a good 90% of the people you'll see at an American or European protest at say, G8/World Bank).
thats a bit extreme
noone 12.Aug.2007 20:44
I think you are being a little extremist there, have you ever heard 'think globally, act locally' ? You're suggesting that everyone should risk their life in the places where it makes the most difference, or stay at home. I rather see everyone do their part where they can. Besides, have you gone to the places you mention to criticize the people that protest G8 and World Bank ?
Having said that, i admire these activists and I'm with them, i really hope they're home soon and safe.