Tibet activists set ablaze "China's Ravan"

By Phurbu Thinley Phayul.com




 Dharamsala, October 9 

Tibetan activists paraded a demonized
effigy, bearing photos of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Zhang
Qingli, the current Chinese Communist Party Secretary to Tibet,
before setting it on fire here today.

They called the effigy "China's Ravan" and their act a symbolic
celebration of the concluding day of Dussehra.

Dussehra is celebrated by Hindus as victory of "Good over evil" in
which a Hindu mythological demon King Ravana is put on fire to mark
end of evil's reign.

Members of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), India, today labeled Hu
Jintao, who imposed Martial Law in Lhasa on March 8, 1989 following
series of demonstrations by Tibetans during his tenure as the Chinese
Communist Party Secretary to Tibet, as "China's Ravan".

During the reign of the Martial decree, which lasted for 13 months,
Tibetan demonstrators were brutally suppressed resulting in deaths.
Aftermath the brutal suppression, several detainees were subjected to
prolonged sadistic and horrifying treatments as later reported by the
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

The activist also placed photos of Zhang Qingli,who was in the
spotlight during the 2008 Tibetan unrest for his heavy handedness in
dealing with the demonstrators.

Known for his tough policies in ethnic regions, Zhang is seen as a
man responsible for China's hardening stance in dealing with Tibetan
people in recent times. He accelerated campaigns against Tibetan
culture and religion, brought in more settlers and stepped up the
commercial exploitation of Tibet's huge reserves of raw materials.

This sharp-tongued communist party secretary is despised by Tibetans
for his scathing and defamatory verbal attacks on the revered Tibetan
leader, the Dalai Lama. He is the man who called the Dalai Lama "a
wolf in monk's clothes, a devil with a human face".

The effigy, bearing photos of the two Chinese Communist leaders, was
paraded through McLeod Ganj before it was set on fire near the town's
main square.

The activists believe burning the demonized effigy 'China's Ravan' on
final Dussehra festival signifies bringing to an end a symbol of evil.

On Thursday, Hindus celebrated the final day of Dussehra by setting
statue of Ravan on fire signifying the triumph of good over evil.

McLeod Ganj, a suburb also referred to as the Upper Dharamsala, is
the seat of the Dalai Lama led Tibetan Government-in-Exile. 


Source: 
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=22954&article=Tibet+activists+set+ablaze+%E2%80%9CChina%E2%80%99s+Ravan%E2%80%9D&t=1&c=1 

Photo: Tenzin Dasel/Phayul

American bloggers detained in Bejiing

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.

For the full Reuters article click here.

More related articles:

Why is China trying to censor foreign media during the Olympic games

Tibet protestors deported from China  

"Students for a free Tibet" take action  

Are Tibet Protestors' messages getting through

Are Tibet Protestors' Messages Getting Through?

China deported Vancouver woman, other pro-Tibet protesters

Why is China trying to censor foreign media during the Olympic games?

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

"Students for a Free Tibet" take action

photo by IndyMedia UK













by Wylwyn Reyes

So If you have been following the news recently you probably have noticed a number of Free Tibet demonstrations being held around the world. Most recently in Beijing at the Birds Nest Stadium where the 2008 Summer Olympics are being held.

There were the three Tibet independence activists that scaled the Golden Gate Bridge and unfurled a large protest banner reading “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 08” during spring's Olympic torch relay.

There was Nyendak Wangden, who had rappelled from the roof of the consulated wearing a monk's robe & hood and simulated a hanging while holding a sign reading "Stop the Killings in Tibet.".

And now there are the 2 Britain's that scaled an electric Pylon and unfurled a sign reading: "One World, One Dream: Free Tibet" in Beijing last Wednesday. You can read my article about it here.

All of these protests were demonstrated by members of an organization called "Students for a Free Tibet" a non-profit whose vision is for an independent Tibet and to create a just and equitable world, free of oppression, in which there is respect for the earth and all living things.


Their mission statement:




"Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. We are a chapter-based network of young people and activists around the world. Through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action, we campaign for Tibetans’ fundamental right to political freedom. Our role is to empower and train youth as leaders in the worldwide movement for social justice."


This group of freedom fighters have been making headlines on a global scale and I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. Hopefully these amazingly selfless people inspire not only us who fight for Tibet's Independence but for all people, globally, to speak up and take action for those who cannot protest themselves without fear of imprisonment, torture, or even death. I have compiled a list below of links you can check out to either learn more about "Students for a Free Tibet" or to start taking action yourself. Remember the Olympic Opening Ceremony is tomorrow and the whole world is watching Beijing right now. We have a little more than two weeks until the Olympics are over so now is the time to step it up!

Follow the links below to take action!

studentsforafreetibet.org

Activist Toolbox

Start a Chapter

Become an individual Member

Internships

Action Alerts

Olympic protest group promises more