Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 6: A series of weekly cycling protests began in Taipei, Taiwan as Tibetan activists and supporters launched the 15th “Cycling for a Free Tibet” campaign on Wednesday, commemorating the upcoming 66th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day against Chinese rule.
The Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan (HRNTT) announced that riders will cycle through Taipei’s streets every Wednesday until March 10, which marks Tibetan Uprising Day. After the first ride, similar rides are to be held in Taipei on Wednesday next week, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, and March 5, as well as in Kaohsiung on March 1, the group said.
This year’s campaign marked the 15th anniversary of the ‘Cycling for a Free Tibet’ initiative, which has been held annually since its inception in 2011.
HRNTT Secretary-General Tashi Tsering led yesterday’s inaugural ride outside Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan. Tsering stated, “Many of my friends say, ‘Your slogans have remained the same from the beginning until now.'” He attributed this consistency to the Chinese Communist Party’s continued suppression of Tibetans since 1959. The campaign precedes two major commemorative events: a march organised by the Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association on March 9 in Taipei, followed by a candlelight vigil at Liberty Square on March 10.
Tibetan Youth Congress president Gonpo Dhondup, who travelled from India, noted that over 160 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009 in protest for “freedom and independence.” He said that the cycling event is aimed at sending a message to the Chinese government that “the Tibetan people will continue to fight until our rightful independence is restored.”
The campaigns mark the 1959 uprising in Lhasa, where approximately 10,000 Tibetans protested against Chinese control, and the subsequent crackdown led to the Dalai Lama’s exile to India and forced more than 150,000 Tibetans to flee Tibet into exile.
