Paris: In Paris, on the 66th commemoration of the 66th Tibetan National Uprising Day, six Paris-based Tibetan NGOs organised a peaceful march from the Place de la Repubique to Bastille with more than 800 participating demonstrators.

The rally began at the Place de la République, where Tibetans and local supporters briefly held a pre-march gathering. After a moment of mourning to honor the Tibetan martyrs, the President of the France Tibetan Association, Pema Rinchen, delivered introductory remarks before speeches from the event’s chief guest and special guest.

The chief guest, Jean-Luc Romero Michel, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of human rights, integration, and the fight against discrimination, assured his continued support for the Tibetan cause and solidarity with the Tibetan people. Geneviève Garrigos, Councillor of Paris and special guest, spoke about the Tibetan National Uprising Day. This was followed by a reading of the Kashag’s statement and address from Thupten Tsering, Coordinator of the Bureau du Tibet in Paris.

Afterwards, a peaceful march began from Place de la Republique and proceeded to Bastille for about an hour. Following the march, public demonstrations were held at Bastille and the president of the France Tibetan Association read out Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s statement on the day. The presidents of six organising NGOs gave speeches related to the commemoration. French Secretary of the Bureau du Tibet then delivered a vote of thanks and the gathering recited the Words of Truth prayer to mark the conclusion of the commemoration event.

Likewise, commemorations were also held in other French cities, including Toulouse, Lille, Strasbourg, and Amiens.

In Toulouse, on 7 March, Geshe Loden, President of the Tibetan Association of Toulouse, along with its members, the Institut Vajra Yogini Buddhist center, and Nalanda Monastery, initiated an appeal in support of Tibet. In response, Bernard Carayon, the Mayor of Lavaur, expressed great interest and granted permission for the Tibetan national flag to be raised at the Mayor’s office on that date. The ceremony was attended by the Mayor and local leaders, and during the event, the President of the Tibetan Association had the opportunity to speak about the Tibet cause. It was also attended by Bernard Lamotte, First Deputy Mayor for Finance and Urban Planning; Chantal Guidez, Municipal Councilor in charge of Environment; and Corinne Dourthe, Deputy Mayor for Heritage and Culture.

Near Lille, in Sant Genes Champanelle, the Auvergne Mainpat Tibet Support Group took the lead and organised a simple ceremony with Tibetans from surrounding areas, officially raising the Tibetan national flag at the Mayor’s office.

In other locations such as Strasbourg and Amiens, local Tibetan Associations and Tibet Support Groups jointly commemorated the Tibetan National Uprising Day with protests near Chinese embassies.

-Report filed by Bureau du Tibet, Paris