Chinese Tibet supporters join Tibetans in the US on Uprising Day

DHARAMSHALA: Hundreds of Tibetans gathered in New York to mark the 55th anniversary of the Tibetan national Uprising Day. The Tibetans were joined by Tibet supporters including  blind Chinese Legal Activist Chen Guangcheng and Mr. YANG Jianli, a long time Tibet supporter.

Mr. Chen Guangchen in his speech said, “ For a long time, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been advocating tolerance, inner peace, and the ability to deal with people and events with a peaceful mind. Ever since 1974, His Holiness has been promoting the Middle Way approach around the world — not seeking Tibet’s separation from China, only asking for a genuine autonomy within the framework of the Chinese Constitution. Such a kind-hearted religious leader, who is full of wisdom, has been traveling around talking about the value of human rights. But the Chinese Communist leaders have played deaf and blind so far. Further more, they use their mouthpieces to wage a propaganda war, claiming His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been promoting Tibet’s independence. They incite hatred among nationalities and block the Internet, not allowing people to receive information from all sources and angles so they can reach sensible conclusions. Their claims do not reflect the facts or help resolve problems. Instead, they intensify conflicts. Tricks such as twisting facts used to be effective in the past, but it’s a self-cheating scheme in a modern society that has very advanced communications.”

Mr. Yang Jianli in his speech expressed solidarity with the plight of the Tibetan people and said, “China’s unjust rule in Tibet has led to the killing of a million Tibetans, the destruction of thousands of temples and monasteries, the diluting and destroying of the Tibetan language and culture, and the irreversible damage to the natural environment on the Tibetan plateau, and it has also resulted in the 55 year long exile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and produced nearly 200,000 Tibetan refugees, condemning them to a state of permanent exile. Scattered around the world as a minority among minorities, their existence is a constant battle for political recognition, financial survival and cultural continuity. “There is no place like home.” Returning home is an exile’s greatest dream and being stranded in a foreign land his greatest sorrow.

For all the tragedies and hardships faced by the Tibetan people today there is one constant root, exacerbating or causing all the others in turn: China’s block on the Dalai Lama and his people’s right to return to their homeland. Let’s listen to the saffron flames in Tibet. Through their heroic act of self-immolation, the nearly 130 Tibetan martyrs have expressed the great desire of all Tibetan, both in and outside Tibet, “Let the Dalai Lama Return Home”

This voice, reverberating around all the time, often makes my heart burn and my eyes well with tears.”

Tibetans in UK commemorated Uprising Day with annual Tibet Freedom March and Rally  
 
DHARAMSHALA: Several hundreds of Tibetans and Tibet supporters participated in the Freedom March, that started from Downing Street, Westminster and marched through the streets of Central London before ending in front of the embassy of the People’s Republic of China in London.
 
After the march, the solidarity rally began with an opening speech by Chairman of Tibetan Community in Britain (TCB).
 
Representative Mr. Thubten Samdup, in his address, thanked all the supporters who turned up at the Freedom March and the Rally to show their solidarity with Tibetans. He said that their support sends a very strong message to those inside Tibet. He then read out the 10 March statement of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay.
A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect and prayer for those who sacrificed their precious lives for Tibet.
 
The cultural troupe members of TCB rendered songs for the occasion. This was followed by speeches from a couple of guest speakers.