By Giovanni Vassallo,
Pres., BAFoT
www.Friends-of-Tibet.org
Members from Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT), Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC), San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (SFRTYC), Tibet Justice Center (TJC), Committee of 100 for Tibet (C100), Sierra Friends of Tibet (SFoT), Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), and other California-based Tibet-related organizations effectively banded together to commemorate the 46th annual Tibetan Uprising Day in San Francisco and Berkeley. Chants of “Free Tibet,” China Out of Tibet,” “Long Live the Dalai Lama,” and others filled public spaces in both bay area cities. Over 400 people participated in the day’s freedom activities through out the course of the day, some traveling from as far as 200 miles away to attend.
The commemoration began around 9 a.m. in the east bay; where Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates and Berkeley Councilmember Kriss Worthington participated in a Tibetan flag raising ceremony attend by about 200 people, mostly Tibetans. TANC President Tashi Sangyal and TANC Secretary Tseten Tashi gave speeches. There was a performance of the Long Sho prayer, a call for Tibetans to “Rise Up,” as well as a singing of the Tibetan National Anthem. Following brief remarks by the mayor and councilmember, Giovanni Vassallo, President of BAFoT gave a speech followed by remarks from TJC’s new Executive Director Chris McKenna, as well as a powerful speech by Topden Tsering of SFTYC.
Around 11a.m. hundreds of Tibetans and supporters gathered at Powell and Market Streets, near San Francisco’s financial district to begin the annual march. TANC Vice-President Tempa Jamyang started the San Francisco rally with a prayer, which was followed by a reading of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s annual March 10 message. Shortly thereafter, the march began, first heading toward Union Square. As Union Square was circumambulated the marchers were delighted by seeing in the clear blue sky above a small plane carrying a message attached to its tail that read in bold capital black letters: CHINA OUT OF TIBET, which was followed by a large Tibetan National Flag.
Around 12:30 p.m. the group of at least 350 marchers arrived at San Francisco’s City Hall. After a few more slogans chanting, the program there began with a welcome speech by a member San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Chris Daly. He said that San Francisco was the best city in the world to start a campaign for human rights and he ended his remarks by calling for a Free Tibet. He was followed by a speech by Tenzin Tethong, former Chief Cabinet Member of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
Julie Larson, a Berkeley musician and guitarists, then played two songs. First, she played a song with the refrain, “Killer Go Home,” and then John Lennon’s “Imagine All the People.”
Next, Paul Carp, Caseworker for U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, read the Congresswoman’s annual statement, in which she stated that “The Chinese government has not won the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people.” The full text of her remarks is copied below.
Mr. Carp’s reading was followed by a speech by Dr. Jong Chen. Dr. Chen, a practicing urological surgeon from Sacramento, California is Co-Chairman of the Northern California Global Alliance for Peace and Democracy, President of the Sacramento Chinese Benevolent Association, and is the Overseas Taiwanese Commissioner of the Republic of China (Taiwan). “The notorious dictatorship of the barbarian Communist Chinese cannot be ignored and cannot be appeased,” he stated, “It is a cancer on all civilization.” His voice reached emotional pitches as he continued, “We firmly believe that freedom and democracy are fundamental human rights. The people of Tibet are entitled of have freedom to choose their own destiny. They should be free to choose their own religion and government. We demand the Tibetan political prisoners should be set free, not a single one left behind..I am confident that we will prevail.”
Performers from TANC gave some freedom performances which were followed by another reading of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s March 10 statement. Then, Topden Tsering gave another powerful speech. After singing of the Tibetan National Anthem, the marchers headed toward the Chinese consulate, escorted by members of the San Francisco Police Department on motor cycles and bikes.
The demonstration at the consulate began with much chanting and then another prayer led by the TANC Vice-President. Afterwards, Dechen Tsering, board member of C100, read His Holiness Statement through a bull horn. Next, Heidi Basch, Congressional Aide to U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos read the Congressman’s statement. “Clearly, the struggle for a Tibet in which Tibetans’ human rights and the dignity of those rights are upheld and respected is ongoing with no definite end in sight,” he wrote, “Nevertheless, Congressman Lantos continues to support this vision.” The full text of his remarks is copied below.
Mr. McKenna again addressed the demonstrators. He was followed by SFT’s Dawa Dorjee. Afterwards, Topden Tsering produced the PRC’s national flag, which he began burning with a cigarette lighter. The flag began to burn slowly, often going out and had to be relit several times. Numerous additional lighters were thrown toward him by eager crowd members as a Tibetan woman used a pole to help raise the flaming piece. Mr. Tsering announced over the bull horn when the flag was burning the gold stars that change in China was a slow process but was inevitable. Cameras flashed as the last pieces of the flag were consumed by flames. Using the bullhorn, Mr. Vassallo prayed, “May a more compassionate and understanding China rise from these ashes that will Free Tibet once and for all.” Thus, after announcements of many more future demonstrations, this one ended.
There was more news coverage of the events than usual. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on the story. It was also covered on National Public Radio and the radio station KQED. Many thanks go out to all groups and individuals who organized or participated in the day’s rallies and demonstrations. Finally, thanks to photographer David Huang, pictures of the protests can be found at: http://poeticdream.com/gallery.php\?gid=267.
U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Statement on the 46th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day
Read by Paul Carp
“Today is the 46th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day. We honor the many brave Tibetans who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom, and we demand that the Chinese government release all prisoners on conscience including Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and the 11th Panchen Lama. I am proud that my constituents in San Francisco organize a peace rally and march commemorating this day every year.
“When China’s People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet in 1949, Tibet was an independent state. The Chinese government imposed an agreement on Tibet recognizing Tibet’s autonomy over its internal affairs. But, as the Chinese government consolidated their control, they repeatedly violated the treaty and open resistance to Chinese repression grew.
“On March 10, 1959, the people of Lhasa assembled together and called for the Chinese to leave Tibet, thus marking the beginning of the uprising. The Chinese crackdown was harsh. An estimated 87,000 Tibetans were killed, arrested, or deported to labor camps.
“In the years since the People’s Uprising, more than 1 million Tibetans have been killed and more than 6,000 monasteries and irreplaceable jewels of Tibetan culture have been destroyed. We know that Tibetans are routinely imprisoned and tortured for non- violently expressing their views. Beatings, prolonged exposure to extreme heat and cold, electroshock, sleep and food deprivation, and forced labor are among the techniques used to torture Tibetan political prisoners.
“Last month, the U.S. State Department published its annual “Country Reports on Human Rights.” The section on Tibet states that “(Chinese) authorities continued to commit serious human rights abuses, including extra-judicial killing, torture, arbitrary arrest, detention without public trial, and lengthy detention of Tibetans for peacefully expressing their political or religious views.”
“The Chinese government has not won the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people. Tibetans are as devoted to their traditional beliefs as ever, and the bond between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people is fundamental and unbreakable. Attempts to drive a wedge between Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people have failed and have been counterproductive for the Chinese government.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the key to peace and stability in Tibet. Envoys of the Dalai Lama have traveled to China and Tibet three times in recent years to continue discussions with Chinese authorities on a permanent negotiated settlement. While open dialogue is a positive first step, it is time for the Chinese government to follow through with substance and not just process. It is time to for China to take a step forward into a modern, open and free society.
“The survival of the Tibetan identity is an issue of urgent U.S. and international concern. If we are not committed to meeting the challenge of Tibet then we cannot be consistent when we talk about human rights in any other place in the world.
“As we honor the brave and heroic Tibetan people, we must heed the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is a constant reminder that the crisis in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world. We have not forgotten the people of Tibet in their struggle. Troops can crush a protest, but they can never extinguish the flame of freedom that burns in every human heart.”
CONTACT: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
Brendan Daly or Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616
Statement of Representative Tom Lantos
46th Annual Tibet Uprising Day Rally, San Francisco, CA
March 10, 2005
Read by Heidi Basch
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you once again for inviting Congressman Lantos to be a part of the Bay Area’s commemoration of the 46th anniversary of Tibet Uprising Day. As you are aware, Congressman Lantos serves as the co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, collaborating with over 200 members of Congress to protect and respect human rights. For the Congressman and Mrs. Lantos, the people of Tibet have always held a prominent place in their hearts, especially since the Congressman, with the assistance of his wife Annette, was the first member of the United States government to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the United States Capitol in 1987.
In spite of innumerable hurdles to the Tibetan people’s pursuit of freedom of religion, expression, assembly, language, education and economic opportunity in their own land, the people of Tibet continue to demonstrate their commitment to nonviolence. This fact remains remarkable and inspiring to all of us.
Aside from the commendable commitment to nonviolence throughout this struggle, is the Tibetan community’s determination to maintain its spiritual and cultural integrity in exile. It is heartening and uplifting to receive invitations throughout the year for Tibetan New Year, to His Holiness’ birthday festivities, and to Tibet Day held each year in October to celebrate Tibet dance, music and other aspects of Tibetan culture. The unique Tibetan way of life contributes so richly to the Bay Area’s diversity. Moreover, your way of life is your best source of publicity and method to teach your surrounding community of your people’s fight and how we, as non-Tibetans, can help.
The Chinese government’s tactics to oppress Tibetans in Tibet continue in spite of close monitoring by the State Department and international non-governmental organizations. This year’s annual report produced by the State Department affirms that Chinese leaders continue to commit serious human rights abuses in Tibet. The reports of extra-judicial killing, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention without public trial, sadly continue anew. Peaceful expression of political or religious views results in unethical punishment or imprisonment within the borders of Tibet.
Unfortunately, China’s influence increasingly reaches beyond the borders of China and Tibet and into Nepal. Congressman Lantos continues to press for freedom of transit for refugees through Nepal, and for the rights of refugees legally living in Nepal.
Clearly, the struggle for a Tibet in which Tibetans’ human rights and the dignity of those rights are upheld and respected is ongoing with no definite end in sight. Nevertheless, Congressman Lantos continues to support this vision. He remains dedicated to educating the public, to issuing letters of rebuke when the Chinese government egregiously violates human rights, and to cooperating with fellow United States government officials and NGOs as advocates for the Tibetan people. Thank you.
