April 20 – The event was held at Main Central Church Square in Milan at 17.00 yesterday. It lasted for nearly 2 hours with an unprecedented mass gathering in solidarity with the Tibetan people who faced cultural genocide inside Tibet following the brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrations by the Chinese authorities. A huge Tibetan flag was unfurled and hundreds of balloons representing the colors of the National Flag were distributed among those assembled, who then formed a symbol of peace in the middle of the Square.
His Holiness’s message to the Chinese was read out loud and clear in the Square to call the attention of the Chinese people to the real situation in Tibet and to generate a better understanding of His stance towards the Communist Government and its people. The same appeal of His Holiness in Chinese language was delivered to the Chinese consulate and hundreds were distributed in the nearby China town. A minute long silence was observed in honor of the Tibetan martyrs and for all the courageous individuals who gave their lives for peace and liberty in their homeland.
Gelek Yakar, National Coordinator of SFT, Italy then delivered a solidarity message to all the Tibetans in Tibet facing harsh repression and requested all Tibetans in the free world to stand united and give a single voice for a free Tibet and democracy in China.
Dr Luciano Quaggia, the Vice President of the Italian National Singers’ Association expressed his strong support and expressed deep concerns of the Italian singers to the Tibetan Cause.
Balloons were then released in the air with a huge applause from the mass gathering re-establishing the fathomless desire of the people from all walks of life for peace in the world.
In conclusion, SFT Italy sincerely extended heartfelt thanks to all the promoters, participants and to thousands of individuals for having sent solidarity messages and also to those at home following the event on broadcast television.
The event was organized by the five principle organizations for Tibet in Italy;
Students for a free Tibet Italy, Italia Tibet Association, Italian National Singers’ Group, Centro delle Culture and Tibet House Italy.
