March 22, 2008, 2:23 pm
Filed under: :Tibet
Filed under: :Tibet
For those of you without knowledge of the struggle for Tibet…
The 14th Dalai Lama has always chosen a peaceful route, attempting to regain Tibet without violence. He has long recognized the benefit of having ‘those in the know’, people in the spotlight, on his side. He has received criticism over the years for courting Hollywood stars. Many Tibetans - especially idealistic youth - have long advocated using force to take back their country. With the world focused on China and the upcoming Olympics, it is not surprising these Tibetans have chosen now to make their cause known. And those Hollywood stars? Rick told me several have recently attended events in China, becoming vocal during performances. Free Tibet! rings from the audience.
March 10 is the 49th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, a fateful day in 1959 when Tibetans took to the streets of Lhasa to protest China’s invasion and occupation of their country. One week later the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India. In the months following his escape, tens of thousands of Tibetans were killed as Chinese troops brutally crushed the uprising.
The spring after the Gompa dogs arrived, I received an invitation to join local Tibetans on March 10 as they commemorated Uprising Day. As we circled the capital building in downtown Denver, we continually passed a larger than life bronze of a Native American on a horse. I felt like such a hypocrite! Here I was walking with Tibetan protesters who were protesting the very thing my ancestors did to the local natives! The fourth time we passed the bronze, with emotion I pointed it out to Pauldine. Quietly, she simply said, “yes, Debby.”
Once again it appears the Olympics will serve as a political forum….not really something those hundreds upon hundreds of athletes have worked most of their own lives for. I personally know some of the swimmers that will be representing our country, Britain, Sweden and South Africa. I wish them success and safety.
From
March 16, 2008
Fears of another Tiananmen as Tibet explodes in hatred
The Olympics, just months away, will not stop Beijing cracking down on riots that may have left more than 30 dead
VENGEFUL rioters returned to the streets of the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa yesterday, defying the gunshots and tear gas of Chinese troops surrounding the centre of the city. Read the article
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