I found this article this morning and found it interesting that China is not only detaining and deporting foreign Pro-Tibet demonstrators but actively seeking out anyone in Beijing with Pro-Tibetan ideals. A group of "citizen journalist" and Pro-Tibet bloggers have been added to the many activists who have been deported for demonstrating. Below is an excerpt from Reuters. Read it and let me know what you think.
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by Wylwyn Reyes
Chinese police have been arresting and deporting pro-Tibet protesters like they were selling hotcakes. Well it looks like they have now moved on to reporters.
I thought China was offering free and unrestricted reporting during the games just as any foreign reporter would do in a democratic country. Well, just as suspected a free lunch never tastes as good as it looks.
John Ray, an accredited reporter for Independent Television News (ITN) was arrested near the "Bird's Nest" Olympic stadium and dragged to a nearby restaurant, where Chinese police threw his shoes in the corner and sat on his arms. This happened shortly after nearby foreign protesters unfurled a pro-Tibet banner. The reporter who had suffered mild abrasions and some bruising later said: "I wonder how this fits in with their solemn promise of free and unrestricted reporting... it was a wrestling match".
The pro-Tibet group Students for a Free Tibet, said two of its protesters who unfurled Free- Tibet banners were arrested while six other members were also detained for protesting nearby. They included six Americans, an Israeli-American and a Japanese National.
Beijing Olympic organizers said they were introducing three "protest parks" near the stadium where anyone could express their beliefs unless it would harm "national unity" and "national, social or collective interests of China".
Well, Ji Sizun, 58, a legal advocate from the coastal province of Fujian who came to Beijing to demonstrate against corruption was arrested after he applied for a permit in one of these designated "protest parks"to hold a protest that would call for greater participation of Chinese citizens in political processes.
So it would seem any speak of Tibet, Xinjiang, or even insinuating corruption in the Chinese government would result in a breif to 24 hour detainment followed by your foreign privileges getting revoked with an intensive interrogation and finally topped off with a sprinkle of deportation. Not to mention a little slam dancing with your new friends the Chinese police.
Imagine what happens to Chinese Nationals if they attempt to protest. Does anyone remember the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989?
More articles on protests during the games in China.
Tibet protesters deported from China
Protester hurt during pro-Tibet demonstration
For more on "Students for a Free Tibet" click here.
For more on John Ray click here.
photo from Tibet Will Be Free // A global blog by Students for a Free Tibet
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by Wylwyn Reyes
Lucy Fairbrother and Iain Thom were deported after Iain, an experienced climber, scaled a 120ft pylon outside the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing on Wednesday morning and unfurled a giant banner that read: “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet.”
When the two arrived back to the London City airport Lucy said: "We are only a very small part of this campaign and the ongoing struggle. There WILL be more protest." and Iain said:"It was definitely all worth it but expect there to be more. The job is not done."
Iain said he smuggled his climbing gear and banner materials in his suitcase.
“Airport security was tight but the equipment I brought in was standard climbing equipment,” he said. “We bought the banner in Britain, and we took it in blank and made it there.”
They were held by officials for 12 hours and interrogated for 5 until they were finally brought to the airport to be deported back to London.
I think the two are incredibly brave for making such a remarkable demonstration. I wonder if it will inspire other Tibet activist to take action. It did however bring more awareness to the cause.
The two are both members of the organization studentsforafreetibet.org you can find out more here.
You can watch a video of the homecoming here.
Photo form Views from North Britain
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From Reuters.com Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:26pm IST
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Hundreds of protesters calling for independence for Tibet protested in the Nepali capital of Kathmandu on Friday, and police said they took 118 demonstrators into custody for organising anti-China demonstrations.
Many were Tibetan exiles shouting "We want free Tibet" slogans. They burned an effigy of the Chinese President Hu Jintao near a consular office of the Chinese embassy in the Nepali capital.
They were then hauled into police vans and trucks and taken to detention centres. A police official said they would be freed later on Friday.
Tibetans have protested regularly in Nepal since the deadly Chinese crackdown on riots in Lhasa and other parts of Tibet in mid-March.
More than 20,000 Tibetans still live in Nepal since fleeing their homeland after a failed uprising against Beijing in 1959.
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