From London to Lhasa: Students for a Free Tibet UK

A plain clothed security official, bottom right, grabs a Tibetan flag from three pro-Tibet activists as they gesture in protest opposite the National Stadium, where the Olympic athletics competition had just finished, Beijing, early Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. Swarms of plainclothes police took away four foreign activists protesting Chinese rule over Tibet - the latest in a series of such demonstrations during the Olympics. (AP Photo)

At approximately 12:05am Beijing Time, almost exactly 24 hours after a team of activists were detained for unfurling an LED-lit banner in front of the Bird’s Nest stadium, Chinese authorities detained four more Tibet supporters – including a Tibetan – at the corner of 4th Ring Road and Beichan Road at the main entrance to the Olympic Park.

With a huge group of plain-clothed police following them closely and closing in, they shouted ‘free Tibet” and the Tibet activist among the supporters displayed a Tibetan flag before the group was “pounced upon,” according to witnesses at the scene. They were detained by a large number of Chinese police and their whereabouts are currently unknown.

The four detained Tibet supporters are Florien Norbu, 30, a Tibetan/German man who was born in Neuss, Germany and lives in Stuttgart, Jeremy Wells, 38, born in Boston, and lives in Brooklyn, NY, John Watterberg, 30, born in South Carolina, and lives in Brooklyn, NY, and Mandie McKeown, 41, born in Glasgow, Scotland, and lives in Bristol, UK.

Read the press release.

Bios of detained activists below:

Florian Norbu Gyanatshang, 30, is half Tibetan and half German and was born in Neuss, Germany and raised at Lake Constance. He currently works in Stuttgart as a software developer.

As a Tibetan from Germany who has human rights, including the right to speak out, Florien believes that traveling to Beijing and taking action for Tibet at this critical time is the least that he can do. He feels it is critical to stand in solidarity with his Tibetan brothers and sisters who are undergoing the worst crackdown in decades at the hand of the Chinese government and are sacrificing everything, even their own lives, for freedom.

As a German, Florian also feels a sense of responsibility to speak out given Germany’s history of the 3rd Reich and the Nazi Games of 1936. He feels the Olympics are a platform to bring about political change and a time when the Chinese government cannot ignore Tibetans’ calls for freedom and justice.

John Watterberg, 30, was born in South Carolina to an Air Force fighter pilot father and a wonderful stay at home mother. As a result of his father’s career, John grew up all over the world with long stays in the Deep South, the Southwest, and across Europe. He currently lives in Brooklyn and has been an “activist” since his father was killed in a routine flying exercise six months after his return from Gulf War I. He had spent months there bombing the Iraqi frontlines and it was after understanding the extreme dissonance between his Christian faith and the hundreds killed by his hands that John renounced war completely; he was thirteen years old.

John’s abhorrence for war, combined with his extreme reverence for nature, led to his gradual deeper involvement with environmental organizations. From there it was a natural transition into social justice. John has been looking forward to the opportunity to support SFT from the time he first heard of the Tibet issue and was slapping Free Tibet bumper stickers on his first car in high school. He is taking action for Tibet in Beijing this summer because he believes all humans deserve freedom, dignity, justice, and a voice. It is the responsibility of all people of conscience, especially those in positions of privilege, to lend a voice to those who have been denied one.

Jeremy Wells, 38, was born and raised in and around Boston, MA, but has also lived in Iowa and Washington for many years. Jeremy currently resides in New York City with his partner Suheyla Zubaroglu and works as an event planner for the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Manhattan.

Jeremy’s involvement with the Tibetan movement is relatively new. He decided to take action in Beijing this summer because he believes this is a unique opportunity for the Tibetan people in their struggle for human rights and freedom, but also a chance to expand global consciousness of the continued oppression of people worldwide who are struggling for their right to self-determination.

Amanda (Mandie) McKeown, 41, was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Her family moved to Hemel Hempstead, North London when she was 18 months and it is there where Mandie grew up and went to school. She lived in London for nearly 20 years and now resides in Bristol with her husband and two children (Hamish 5 and Niamh 3).

Mandie’s support for the freedom of Tibet started when she was in India in 1995 (trying to study Hindi) and was placed in an area where many Tibetan families were living in exile. She has now worked with the Tibet movement for nine years and has been involved with many different Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) and has known and supported SFT and its staff for the duration of this time.

INTENSIVE SURVEILLANCE FAILS TO PREVENT ACTION FOR TIBET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2008

Contacts: In Asia, Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director, and Kate Woznow, Campaigns Director, +1 917 289 0219 or +44 20 7084 6245

**Bios and photos of the activists available at http://freetibet2008.org/globalactions/tibetanflag

Beijing – After intense surveillance by up to 50 plainclothes police, a Tibetan-German man and two pro-Tibet activists protested tonight near the Bird’s Nest stadium. The three raised their fists in the air, unfurled a Tibetan flag, and called out “Free Tibet” at approximately 12:05 am Beijing time. A fourth Tibet activist who observed the protest was detained by police at the scene. The four were taken away in a police vehicle and their whereabouts are unknown.

The four are Tibetan-German Florian Norbu Gyanatshang, 30, American Jeremy Wells, 38, American John Watterberg, 30, and Briton Mandie McKeown, 41.

“Against all odds, a Tibetan has once again raised our outlawed national flag in Beijing tonight,” said Lhadon Tethong, the Tibetan-Canadian Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “This action symbolises the determination and steadfast commitment of the Tibetan people and our supporters from around the world to achieve freedom and justice for six million Tibetans living under the brutal rule of the Chinese government.”

Tibetans and Tibet supporters have defied the best efforts of the Chinese authorities to silence all voices of dissent during the Olympic Games, staging eight protests in Beijing over the past two weeks. The protests have ranged from technically-challenging banner hangs to a dramatic “die-in” at Tiananmen Square. Surveillance efforts by Chinese authorities increased dramatically over the past few days.

“The Chinese government is petrified of these peaceful acts of defiance simply because they represent the true feelings of Tibetans inside Tibet,” said Tenzin Dorjee, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “Our protests are a reminder to the world of the tragic reality of the Chinese government’s illegitimate occupation of Tibet and the urgent need for the Chinese leadership to seek a resolution with the Tibetan people.”

Five other members and supporters of Students for a Free Tibet were deported from Beijing today after unfurling a LED light banner last night; an artist and five bloggers and activists remain missing or in detention after 47 hours.

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1) Students for a Free Tibet’s protests have included a dramatic banner hang near the Bird’s Nest Stadium; a display of Tibetan flags near the Bird’s Nest just before the opening ceremony began; a symbolic die-in at Tiananmen Square; a protest by a Tibetan woman with flags outside Tiananmen Square; a blockade of the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park; a “Free Tibet” banner hang outside the CCTV headquarters; and the unfurling of an LED light “throwie” banner outside the Bird’s Nest stadium. Forty-two members and supporters have been detained and deported, not including those detained today.

2) Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) is a network of young people and activists campaigning for Tibetan independence, with 700 chapters in more than thirty countries worldwide. SFT’s international headquarters are in New York, with offices in Toronto, London, and Dharamsala, India.

Beijing – Five pro-Tibet activists unfurled a banner spelling out “Free Tibet” in English and Chinese in bright blue LED “throwie” lights in Beijing’s Olympic Park tonight. The five were detained by security personnel after displaying the banner for about 20 seconds at 11:48 pm August 19th. Their whereabouts are currently unknown.    Read the press release.

Brief video clip of the banner unfurled:
NTSC format MPEG-4 video: watch or download
PAL format MPEG-4 video: watch or download

Photos of the banner available for download as a Flickr photoset

The detained activists are Americans Amy Johnson, 33, Sam Corbin, 24, Liza Smith, 31, Jacob Blumenfeld, 26, and Lauren Valle, 21. (bios of activists are below)

“The Chinese government is desperate to turn the world’s attention away from its abuses in Tibet as the Olympics take place, but the creativity and determination of Tibetans and their supporters has once again ensured that Tibetan voices are heard and seen in Beijing despite the massive security clampdown,” said Tenzin Dorjee, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “The Chinese leadership must realize that the only way it can make the issue of Tibet disappear is to acknowledge the demands of the Tibetan people and work with them to bring an end to China’s occupation of Tibet.”

The lights used on the banner are blue 10 mm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) powered by small batteries, commonly known as “throwies.” Throwies are open-source technology attributed to OpenLab and Graffiti Research Lab, developed as a means of creating non-destructive graffiti and light displays. This is the first time ever that they have been used on a banner. James Powderly, free speech activist and co-founder of the Graffiti Research Lab (GRL), was detained in Beijing early this morning

Bios and photos of the Tibet supporters detained for unfurling the LED banner:

Lauren Valle, 31, was born in Falmouth, MA, and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. She studies Eastern Religion and Philosophy at Columbia University. She has supported various organizations working to build a more just and sustainable world. She is taking action for Tibet this summer because she believes that the Olympics represent a unique and critical opportunity for people of conscience to come together on a global level and speak out for human rights.

Amy Johnson, 33, was born in Detroit, Michigan where she grew up until moving to Georgia when she was 13 years old. She attended the University of Boulder, Colorado and lived there on and off for 15 years. Amy studied Policy and Social Values along with Peace and Conflict Studies and since then has worked with kids in various capacities, from teaching and counseling to leading international service trips abroad.

Amy has recently started her own company. She is also a Metalsmith who makes politically-oriented jewelry from bullets she has found in the mountains around Boulder. Amy recently relocated to Los Angeles, and is pursuing commercial opportunities for her jewelry, in addition to continuing environmental and social justice efforts.

Jacob Blumenfeld, 26, was born and raised in San Diego, California. His mother passed away when he was 5 years old and he, along with his brother and sister, were raised by their father. He went to a Jewish school and then to Vassar College.

As a teenager and throughout college, Jacob became involved in numerous social justice projects. After college, he became involved in efforts for immigrant rights in San Diego, as well as projects promoting independent media. Jacob now lives in Brooklyn, NY and is pursuing his PhD in philosophy at the New School for Social Research. He teaches philosophy and is still active in many social justice projects in New York, such as the Regeneracion Childcare collective and Jews Against the Occupation. This is the first nonviolent action Jacob has taken related to Tibet, but has been aware of the situation in Tibet.

As a Jew whose grandparents survived the Holocaust, Jacob feels an obligation to support the struggles of all peoples oppressed for their racial, ethnic or national identities, from Palestine to Chiapas to Tibet. The movement for a Free Tibet is part of a larger struggle for freedom from occupation, and hence Jacob considers it part of his struggle as well.

Liza Smith, 31, was born in Boulder, Colorado and grew up in the Shambhala community – with students of Trungpa Rinpoche – and was raised practicing Tibetan Buddhism. She currently lives in Oakland, CA where she works for the Fellowship of Reconciliation Colombia Program. Liza has been active in human rights for Colombia for the last 10 years. She has organized against US military aid to Colombia, lead delegations of Americans to Colombia to accompany threatened human rights leaders, and lived in Colombia.

Liza has benefitted greatly from the teachings of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and has taken action in China because she believes in the global struggle for human rights and that all struggles to live in peace, whether in the US, Colombia or Tibet, are deeply interconnected.

Samantha Corbin, 24, was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. She has worked as an environmental and social justice activist and organizer in New York and Washington DC for many years. Some of the campaigns she has been involved with include advocating for the right of Appalachian residents who are fighting the multi-national banks funding mountaintop removal coal mining.

Sam has worked with SFT as a volunteer and organizer and has also served as a climb trainer at an SFT Free Tibet! Action Camp. Sam traveled to China this summer to speak out in solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet and feels it is her responsibility as a person who values justice to speak out at this critical time.

August 16, 2008

London: With only a week remaining before the closure of the Beijing Olympics, once again Tibetan and Tibetan supporters took to the streets to protest against the ongoing brutal crackdown inside Tibet by the Chinese Govt. and to call for the immediate peaceful resolution of Tibet.

The march began with a note of concern by Mr.Sonam Frasi, the London-based Tibetan parliamentarian. He later, on behalf of all the Tibet support groups(TSG), thanked Pema Yoko with a Tibetan Scarf (khata) for her courageous feat in Beijing three days earlier. Pema Yoko, a tibetan in london, was deported two days earlier along with 7 other activists after standing up for the million voiceless Tibetans inside Tibet by protesting infront of the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park in Beijing.

The march started off from the Chinese embassy towards Oxford Street, then around Trafalgar Square, where the beijing Olympics was being broadcasted live, and ended finally in Downing Street. The protesters were later met by another group of protesters from Free Tibet Campaign at Downing Street.

A representative from each of the the Tibet Support Groups: Tibet Community in Britain, Tibet Society, Tibetan Youth UK, Free Tibet Campaign and Students For a Free Tibet, walked towards the prime minister's residence at No.10 to hand a letter and a petition requesting the prime minster, during his presence at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, to urge the Chinese Govt. to stop the current brutal oppression of the Tibetan people inside Tibet and call for the peaceful resolution of Tibet as soon as possible!

August 15, 2008

London: More than 50 people gathered today at Southbank, the home of the London Eye, for a bike rally for Tibet. Tibetan flags were either raised on a pole to the rear of the bikes or were fastened in the front. The rally commenced at 6.30 p.m. with Tibetan songs playing loud and clear at the background. Whilst on the way, by-passers were made aware on the plight of Tibet through the small but efficient sound system attached to the only tricycle in the rally.

Bikers were cheered by the onlookers all the way. The route for the rally was around 4 miles and the places covered were Southbank, Great Russell Street, Bedford Square, Tottenham Court road and then the Chinese Embassy. With free tibet slogans and three rounds around the Chinese embassy the rally lasted for more than 40 minutes.

    

With the help of three support people, two pro-Tibet activists rapelled from the top of a large Olympic billboard and unfurled a 375 square foot/115 square meter banner in front of Chinese state television’s new headquarters in Beijing early this morning.

The activists dropped the banner, which read “Free Tibet” in English and Chinese, over an Olympics billboard reading “Beijing 2008” at 5:45 am Beijing time. Chinese security officials gathered quickly outside the China Central Television (CCTV) building. After approximately 30 minutes, officials detained the five activists, whose current whereabouts are unknown.

 

The two climbers were Nicole Rycroft, 41, a Canadian-Australian from Vancouver, BC, Canada and Philip Kirk, 24, a British citizen from Hertfordshire, UK. They were supported by Americans Bianca Bockman, 27, from Hoboken, New Jersey, Sam Maron, 22, from Ossining, New York, and Kelly Osborne, 39, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. See more detailed bios below.

Digital Media
Download High-Resolution Still Photos courtesy of Students for a Free Tibet: TibetOlympicsBillboardProtestAugust15.zip (10Mb) or view the Flickr Photoset

Download Video of Banner Deployment:
MPEG-4 Video Direct or Video Zip Archive (10Mb)

Listen to audio recordings recorded by two of the activists on their mobile phones immediately after being detained: Nicole Rycroft and Bianca Bockman (MPEG-4 files). Download both audio files.

View Associated Press photos of the action from the Olympics Photo Wire

Note: HD Video Available upon request

Participant Bios and Background:

Bianca Bockman, 27, was born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA, and currently lives in Oakland, California. Bianca has been an activist since she was a teenager and has worked for animal and human rights and in the environmental movement. Bianca currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Social Ecology and on the Board of Directors of Students for a Free Tibet.

Kelly Osborne, 39, was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, where he currently lives with his wife Melissa and their four kids, Tanner, Ravyn, Dakota, and Raymond. Kelly works as a Youth Minister at Mayflower Congregational Church and as a team building and communications facilitator. Kelly is first and foremost a father, has worked as a nonviolent activist for over twelve years.

Phil Kirk, 24, was born in Basingstoke, UK and currently lives in Hertfordshire, UK. As an experienced rock climber and mountaineer, Phil leaned about the injustices in Tibet through the climbing community. Last year Phil was horrified to learn that Tibetan refugees had been shot and killed by Chinese border authorities as they crossed Nangpala pass in an attempt to flee to Nepal. Mountaineers at Cho Oyu base camp on Mt. Everest captured the shootings on video. It was at that time when Phil decided to get involved with the Tibetan Freedom movement and realized he could use his climbing skills in his effort to support the Tibetan People.

Nicole Rycroft, 41, was born and raise in Sydney, Australia, and currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She was a state and national level athlete (lightweight rower) in Australia during the early 90’s on track for the Olympics. She cycled into Tibet from Nepal in 1995, and witnessed the suppression of Tibetan culture and religion as a result of China’s occupation of Tibet. As a former athlete Nicole has always looked to the Olympics as an arena for the pursuit of excellence and the Games of peace. However China’s continued violation of Tibetans’ human rights under its forced occupation of Tibet undermines the integrity of the Olympic quest to bring countries and people together in peace.

Sam Maron, 22, from Ossining, New York, USA, studied at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont and graduated in 2008 with a degree in Community and International Development. He currently lives in New York and works as an intern at the headquarters of Students for a Free Tibet. Sam’s interest in Tibet was sparked when he attended a public talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New York City. Sam started a chapter of SFT at UVM and traveled to Tibet, Nepal and India as part of the SIT Tibetan Studies Program.

                                                               
August 13, 2008

London: Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered today outside the Chinese Embassy from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. and held a silent portest. Red Gags with the word "KILLED" written over were worn to symbolise the oprression of the Tibetan people and the lack of freedom of expression in Tibet! A group of people meditated to show their solidarity for Tibet and it's people.

Plain placards were distributed to express emotive messages and personal feelings for the tibetan cause in writing. " China how long you are going to suppress Tibetans?" and "Boemi kyiduk Nyam nyong" ( litrealy means "Tibetans joy and sorrow, we are all together") the one that was carried in Beijing and Amdo province during the March Uprising were few of the messages that were held and displayed before the embassy.

    
                  

Five Tibet activists blockaded the front entrance of the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park, at the south end of the Olympic Park, at 12:30pm today. The five were behind locked bicycles across the entrance to the park, which prominently features an exhibit of Tibetan culture. They wore t-shirts reading “Free Tibet” and held a banner reading “Tibetans Are Dying for Freedom.” A sixth activist, a Tibetan-Japanese woman, made a statement about what they were doing and the situation on the ground in Tibet.

Nearby, two other activists unfurled a banner over a pedestrian bridge, which read “Free Tibet.”

The two activists at the bridge were immediately detained by security officials. The six outside the park were detained after approximately five minutes. The activists are: Pema Yoko, 25, a Tibetan-Japanese woman resident in the UK; Americans Tom Cohen, 41; Martin Thomas, 36; Jennifer Kirby, 30; Jene DeSpain, 31; James Brady, 41; Bani Campozano, 20; and Jonathan Fox, 29, an Israeli-American. Their present whereabouts are unknown.

Click here to read SFT’s press release…

Digital Media
High-resolution stills available as a Flickr Photoset or a Downloadable ZIP 10MB
Video available to watch here in raw MPEG-4 format or for download here.
HD video footage available upon request.

Biographies
Pema Yoko Niwa Norbu, 25, was born in London, England to a Tibetan father and Japanese mother. She feels a strong sense of commitment to preserving Tibetan identity and speaking out against the Chinese government’s brutal regime destroying her father’s homeland. Pema currently lives in London and served until recently as the National Director for Students for a Free Tibet UK.

 

HOLDING FREE TIBET BANNER ON BRIDGE:

James Brady, 41, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, and currently lives in Washington, DC. He works for Greenpeace and is also an avid musician.

Jene DeSpain, 31, lives San Francisco, California, USA, and is a long time social justice and environmental activist. She also runs her own jewelery making business.

BLOCKING ENTRANCE TO PARK:

Bani Campozano, 20, was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA, and raised Queens, New York where she currently lives. She is a professional dog walker, is active with many social justice and environmental groups, and her Buddhist faith and her belief in non-violence is what drew her to the Tibet cause.

Jennifer Kirby, 30, was born and raised in Maryland, USA. She is a student and currently lives in Washington, DC. She has been involved in causes ranging from the environmental movement to prison rights and housing rights struggles, on the local, national, and international levels, and is long-time Tibet supporter.

Jonathan Fox, 29, is an Israeli-American currently living in Bangkok, Thailand, where he works for a local civil society organization. Jon graduated from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs in 2007 with a Masters in International Affairs focused on human rights, and graduated from Hebrew University in 2005 with a major in political science and East Asian studies

Martin Thomas, 36, was born in Cambridge, UK and raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA. He currently lives in Washington, DC where he works as a union organizer. Martin lived in China for 3 months as a teenager in the late 1980s before the Tienanmen Square massacre. He developed friendships with many Chinese students and since then has been interested in the Chinese democracy and human rights movements.

Tom Cohen, 41, was born in Salinas, California, USA and currently lives in Oakland, California where he works as a chef. He has been involved with Students for a Free Tibet for almost twelve years and believes this is a critical time to take action for Tibet.

DEPORTED FREE TIBET ACTIVISTS ARRIVE AT FRANKFURT AIRPORT TODAY AFTER DRAMATIC OLYMPIC PROTEST IN BEIJING

August 11, 2008 · Print This Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: In Germany, for David Demes: Gabriele Demes, +49 64829 490206
In London (German & English language): Dechen Pemba, +44 7784 823907
In London (English language): Han-Shan, +44 7876 327143

Frankfurt – Tibet supporter David Demes and Tibetan-German Padma-Dolma Fielitz return home today after being deported for demonstrating for Tibetan freedom in Beijing.

David Demes held a dramatic protest in Tiananmen Square with four other Tibet activists early afternoon Saturday, August 9th, calling for an end to the Chinese government’s occupation of Tibet. Demes and three others staged a “die-in,” lying on the ground draped in Tibetan national flags, with the famous portrait of Mao in the background. A fifth activist narrated the context and background for the political theater. Demes, 21, from Germany, Evan Silverman, 31, Diane Gatterdam, 55, and Joan Roney, 39, from the United States, and Chris Schwartz, 24, from Canada, were detained by plain-clothes security approximately ten minutes after the protest began.

Demes departs from Hong Kong at 11:05pm on August 10th on Turkish Airlines Flight #7, connects through Istanbul, and arrives on Turkish Airlines Flight #1587 in Frankfurt at 10:35am on August 11th. Spokespeople from Students for a Free Tibet will be available for comment by telephone, and Demes will offer remarks on his actions in Beijing and subsequent detention and deportation.

Demes, 21, was born in Limburg, Germany and is currently studying and living in Giessen. He is currently a primary coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet Germany.

Photos and video footage of Demes’ action and his full biography are available at: http://freetibet2008.org/globalactions/tsquare/

Padma-Dolma Fielitz staged a protest just outside the southern entrance of Tiananmen Square with four other Tibet activists at 3:10pm Beijing time on Sunday, August 10th. Padma-Dolma and another activist held the Tibetan national flag aloft before being accosted by Chinese security personnel. As Chinese security tried to wrest the flags away, Padma-Dolma was seen being dragged across the ground. Shortly after, three other activists attempted to unveil a large banner reading “Tibetans are dying for freedom,” before being removed by Chinese security officials. The protest lasted approximately five minutes and all five protesters were detained by the Chinese authorities.

Padma-Dolma, 21, from Germany, has a Tibetan father and a German mother. She was born and raised in Germany and currently lives in London where she studies Economics and Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies. The other four activists included two Americans, John Hocevar, 40, of Austin, Texas, and Adam Zenko, 35, of San Francisco, California and two Canadians, Maude Côté, 28, of Quebec, and Steven Erich Andersen, 28, of Alberta.

Before the action, Padma-Dolma said, “There are no words to describe the terrible suffering of my people at this moment – the Chinese government is relentlessly crushing the Tibetan people when they desire nothing more than the restoration of their basic rights and freedom. Tibetans are being killed, silenced and marginalized, our precious religion strangled, as the Chinese government attempts to extinguish all trace of Tibetan identity. I am protesting today to tell the world that, while it stares mesmerized at China’s Olympic Games, my people are being crushed under the boot of Chinese oppression.”

Padma-Dolma is the first Tibetan known to have protested in Beijing since the Games began. Fearful of protests, the Chinese government has made it a priority to clear Tibetans out of Beijing in the run up to the Games and have blocked Tibetans from Tibet and those living in exile from traveling to China.

Padma-Dolma has been deported from Beijing, but her exact flight has not been confirmed, however she is expected to arrive into Frankfurt Airport early this morning (after 6am). She plans to stay in Germany for several days, after which she will return to London. She will be available for media interviews in both Germany and the United Kingdom.

Photos and video footage of Padma-Dolma’s action and her full biography are available at: http://freetibet2008.org/globalactions/tibetanprotest/

Tibet groups are planning ongoing protests and events for the duration of the Beijing Games, from Santiago to Montevideo, New York to Toronto, London to Warsaw, Delhi to Brisbane, and many more, to highlight the Chinese government’s use of the Olympics in an attempt to legitimize its rule in Tibet, and to call on the Chinese leadership to meaningfully address the Tibetan cause.

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) is a network of young people and activists campaigning for Tibetan independence, with 700 chapters in more than thirty countries worldwide. SFT’s international headquarters are in New York, with offices in Toronto, London, and Dharamsala, India.

-30-

Written by ft08editor · Filed Under Press Releases
Tagged:

August 10, 2008 · Print This Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2008

Contacts: In Asia, Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director, and Kate Woznow, Campaigns Director,
+1 917-289-0228 or +44 2070-846-359

TIBETAN WOMAN AND FOUR SUPPORTERS PROTEST AT TIANANMEN SQUARE 5 MORE CANADIANS DETAINED IN BEIJING HOTEL

***Photos and video footage of the action and the activists’ bios will be available shortly at: http://freetibet2008.org/globalactions/tibetanprotest/

Beijing – Five Tibet activists, including a Tibetan woman from Germany, Padma-Dolma Fielitz, 21, staged a protest today at 3:10pm Beijing time just outside the southern entrance of Tiananmen Square.

Padma-Dolma Fielitz and another activist held the Tibetan national flag aloft. As Chinese security officials tried to wrest the flags away, Padma was seen being dragged across the ground. Shortly after, three other activists attempted to unveil a large banner before being removed by Chinese security officials. The banner read: “Tibetans are dying for freedom.” The protest lasted approximately five minutes. All five protesters were detained by the Chinese authorities and their present whereabouts and status are unknown.

The other four activists included two Americans, John Hocevar, 40, of Austin, Texas, and Adam Zenko, 35, of San Francisco, California and two Canadians, Maude Côté, 28, of Quebec, and Steven Erich Andersen, 28, of Alberta. Hocevar is the founding director of Students for a Free Tibet and has been in Beijing since August 4th writing, blogging and providing commentary and analysis to journalists on the Tibet issue (1). Côté is a board member of Students for a Free Tibet Canada.

Before the action, Padma-Dolma said, “There are no words to describe the terrible suffering of my people at this moment – the Chinese government is relentlessly crushing the Tibetan people when they desire nothing more than the restoration of their basic rights and freedom. Tibetans are being killed, silenced and marginalized, our precious religion strangled, as the Chinese government attempts to extinguish all trace of Tibetan identity. I am protesting today to tell the world that, while it stares mesmerized at China’s Olympic Games, my people are being crushed under the boot of Chinese oppression.”

Today’s protest is the first to have included a Tibetan since the Beijing Games began. Fearful of protests, the Chinese government has made it a priority to clear Tibetans out of Beijing in the run up to the Games and have blocked Tibetans living in exile from traveling to China.

At 11:40 am, five Canadian Tibet activists confirmed by phone that they were being detained at their hotel in the Chao-Yang District and questioned in the basement. They have not been heard from since. They are Jasmine Freed, 27; Paul Christopher Baker, 29; Michael Hudema, 31; Denise Ogonoski, 26 and William Nelson, 26.
Notes to editors:

1) Hocevar’s blogs and interviews include:
http://blogs.wsj.com/olympics/2008/08/09/interview-with-students-for-a-free-tibet/ and http://blog.studentsforafreetibet.org/2008/08/06/the-belly-of-the-beast/

Download Full-Resolution Photos set: ATibetansProtestBeijing081008.zip
or view on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfthq/sets/72157606641834386/

Audio of protest and statement (transcription below): ATibetansProtest081008ProtestStatement.wav or ZIP Download

Padma-Dolma Fielitz made this statement as she was being detained:

“Free Tibet! Free Tibet!
People are asking, what’s going on
They know exactly what’s going on
They kidnapped Tibet
They kidnappd truth
They kidnapped the Beijing Olympics to demonstrate their power in front of everyone
They say they don’t want to politicize them
but they do
and they’re trying to keep them locked up
This is my land
This affects my people
and we’re not Chinese”

Beijing: A Tibetan’s Protest 08.10.08 from Students for a Free Tibet on Vimeo.

Beijing: A Tibetan’s Protest 08.10.08 from Students for a Free Tibet on Vimeo.

Click here to download MPEG-4 Video of arrest and protest.

Biographies and Pictures

Padma-Dolma Fielitz, 21, is Tibetan from Germany. She currently lives in London where she studies Economics and Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

This story may have dropped off the news this side of the pond with all the media interest in SFTUK activists Iain and Lucy and their daring protest in Beijing, but it has really shocked me and other folk in the UK office.

On 6 August two SFT activists, Nyendak Wangden and Bria Morgan, scaled the San Francisco Chinese Consulate before Nyendak abseiled off the roof and posed as a hanging victim bearing a signed "Stop the Killing in Tibet", a powerful image and technically adept act. What happened next is every climber's nightmare - having somebody mess with your anchor.

First the Chinese consulate officials grabbed Bria and pulled her away from her position protecting Nyendak's anchor, and hit her with a metal bar as she repeated "this is a peaceful protest" over and over again. Having removed Bria, they then slashed Nyendak's rope, causing her to plummet fifteen feet onto the balcony below. She was knocked unconscious but incredibly escaped with a fractured wrist and forearm. If she had deployed elsewhere, the fall would have been around 35 feet and the outcome could have been a lot worse. And not only did the consulate staff cut the rope, they also refused to give the emergency services access to the building, resulting in Nyendak being stretchered off the balcony by the fire brigade.

San Fran press coverage is here and video footage is here.

The San Francisco police are currently investigating the consulate's actions and we at SFT UK hope they will take the strongest possible action against those involved. Incredibly, the same police department has charged the two climbers with harassing a diplomat and bailed for $25,000 each. Something not right there.

Much as the Tibet movement has a history of climbing on Chinese Embassies and Consulates, Chinese officialdom seems to have a history of over-reacting. The events of San Francisco took me back to a demonstration on the roof of the London Chinese Embassy by Greenpeace legend Richard Watson and another climber for the release of Tibetan Buddhist monk Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. If you look at the last 30 seconds of this YouTube video, you'll see embassy officials unclip the climbers' anchor and throw it at the duo, leaving them stranded on a narrow ledge four stories from the ground. Alongside cheap plastic consumer goods, China seems to be exporting a reckless disregard for human life.

The cold malice of the Chinese consulate officials in San Francisco makes me shudder. I leave it to Tenzin Dasang from the Tibetan Youth Congress to point to the wider significance. “We are shocked at how governmont officials in this country behaved around something like this. It really shows how they think and how they act; it’s hard to imagine what happens behind closed doors in Tibet when they do something like this, outside in plain view.”

Tiananmen Tibet Die-in Protest 09.08.08

Beijing: Five Tibet supporters held a dramatic protest in Tiananmen Square early this afternoon, calling for an end to the Chinese government’s occupation of Tibet.

Four of the activists, lying down and draped in Tibetan national flags, staged a mock die-in with the famous portrait of Mao in the background. A fifth activist spoke about their reason for protesting there today.

Download Full Press Release (DOC): ProtestAtTiananmenSquare080908-PressRelease-FINAL.doc

High-resolution photos available here: 4MB ZIP Download or on Flickr Photo Set

high resolution video available by request - send email to sftmedia@studentsforafreetibet.org

.

Protest Participants

Christopher Shwartz, 24, was born and raised in Montreal, QC. He
currently lives in Verdun and is a student at Concordia University.

David Demes, 21, was born in Limburg, Germany and is currently
studying and living in Giessen, Germany.

Diane Gatterdan, 55, was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She
currently lives in New York City where she works as a store design
consultant.

Evan Silverman, 31, was born in Queens. He is a professional jazz musician
and lives in New York.

Joan Roney, 39, was born in Greenwich, CT and currently lives in
New York City, where she runs a non-profit dog training school.

August 8, 2008 • Print This Article

STUDENTS FOR A FREE TIBET
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 8, 2008

Contacts: In Asia, Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director, and Kate Woznow, Campaigns Director,
+1 917-289-0228 | +44 2070-846-359 | +852-3050-9088

***Photos and video footage of the action and the activists’ bios will be available shortly at: http://freetibet2008.org/mediacenter/updates/teamtibetflags/

Tibetan Flags Protest Beijing 080808 from Students for a Free Tibet on Vimeo.

Beijing – Three Tibet supporters staged a symbolic protest near the entrance to the Olympic park and the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing today, one hour before the Olympic opening ceremony began. The three displayed Tibetan national flags. Chinese security tackled them 40 seconds after the protest began. Jonathan Stribling-Uss, 27, and Kalaya’an Mendoza, 29, Americans, and Cesar Pablo Maxit, 32, an Argentine-American, were immediately and forcibly detained.

“These activists have delivered a message of solidarity with the Tibetan people, highlighting the grave situation in Tibet just moments before the Beijing Olympics began,” said Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “The Chinese government wants the world to be dazzled and distracted by the grandeur of the opening ceremony, but its true face can be seen in its ruthless and intensifying repression of the Tibetan people.”

Tibetan imagery is expected to be a feature of the Chinese government’s Olympic propaganda message at tonight’s opening ceremony. Tibet support organizations around the globe have planned demonstrations at Chinese embassies and consulates today to highlight the Chinese government’s attempt to use the Olympics to legitimize its rule in Tibet and call on the Chinese leadership to meaningfully address the issue of Tibet. Tibet groups are planning ongoing protests and events for the duration of the Beijing Games, from Santiago to Montevideo, New York to Toronto, London to Warsaw, Delhi to Brisbane, and many more.

Earlier this week, four members of Students for a Free Tibet hung two banners from lampposts outside the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium. The two Americans and two Britons were detained after unfurling a banner reading “One World, One Dream: Free Tibet” and another reading “Tibet Will Be Free” in English and “Free Tibet” in Chinese. They were swiftly deported and arrived in their home countries on August 7th (press releases available at http://freetibet2008.org/mediacenter/).

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) is a network of young people and activists campaigning for Tibetan independence, with 700 chapters in more than thirty countries worldwide. SFT’s international headquarters are in New York, with offices in Toronto, London, and Dharamsala, India.

August 8, 2008-08-08

London: With the Beijing Olympic an hour away, a massive group of Tibetans and Tibet supporters, Burma Democratic Concern, Zimbabwe Vigil, Reporters Without Borders, and Sudan Organisation Against Torture all gathered outside the Chinese Embassy to highlight China’s serious issues with human rights across the world.

The event started at 11.45 p.m. with banners, flags and slogans from all groups. Tibetan Flags were unfurled all around. Red gags titled “killed” were worn by everyone and 216 silhouettes were held high to represent the confirmed Tibetans killed so far by the Chinese govt during the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising in Tibet.

Slogans such as “Free Tibet!”, “Burma Burma, Free Free!”, “Darfur Darfur, Free Free!” and “Zimbabwe Zimbabwe, Free Free!” were all around the place. This was followed by speeches from the respective groups. Karma, president of TYUK, on behalf of the Tibetans gave the speech. A Prayer was also led by Lama Lobsang, a Tibetan monk, and a minute silence was maintained to show solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet.

By the time when the clock struck 13:08, which coincided with the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony, Lama Lobsang initiated the Tibetan flag raising ceremony. Just opposite the Chinese embassy, Lama Lobsang hoisted the Tibetan flag high to a height of 6 metres. Then the event concluded with Tibetan national anthem and like wise, the national anthem of Burma and Zimbabwe was also sung.

August 7, 2008

London: With one day away from the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, Tibetans and Tibetan supporters from U.K. today gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in London and held a candle light vigil to coincide with the international Candle4Tibet vigil. A banner was held reading “Shine a Light on Tibet”. The event started at 6 p.m. with prayers along with people lighting their share of candles in solidarity with the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Iain Thom, one of the Pro-Tibet British activists, who was recently deported by the Chinese authorities for unfurling the banner “One World One Dream, Free Tibet” from a height of 120 ft on a pole outside the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing, attended the vigil too and shared his sympathy and solidarity with the Tibetan people. He was welcomed by a thunderous round of applause!

This was later followed with a speech by Mr.Sonam Frasi, a Member of the Tibetan Parliament from Europe, on the significance of the Tibetan struggle in light of the Beijing Olympics.

The whole event concluded nice and well around 8 p.m. with protests and a prayer.

Inspired by the recent actions in Beijing, London and around the world? Want to add your voice? There are lots of events planned for the next two weeks, right across the UK. Here's an initial list - to be updated as more events are planned. See you on the streets!

August 7th - Candle for Tibet
A peaceful vigil lighting candles for the people of Tibet.

LONDON: Opposite the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place London W1B

Time:18:30 to 20:00

LEEDS: Victoria Gardens (outside the art gallery), Headrow, city centre

Time: 18:00 to 20:00

BRISTOL: Ashton Court (Balloon Fest)

TIme: 20:00 to 22:00

OXFORD: Corn Market, Oxford city centre

Time: 20:30 to 22:00

August 8th - Opening Ceremony - Raising the Tibetan Flag

LONDON: Opposite the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place London W1B

Time: 11.30 to 14:00

To coincide with the opening ceremony, the Tibetan flag will be raised at 13:08 to the Tibetan national anthem. As the embassy celebrates the opening ceremony, we will be present to remind them of the ongoing suffering and oppression endured by Tibetans at the hands of the government they represent. Bring friends and flags!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Represent one of the 216 Tibetans killed at the hands of Chinese forces in Tibet this year by holding a silhouette and wearing a red gag. Email: 216@tibetsociety.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to register as a volunteer.

LEEDS: Dortmund Square (outside St John's Centre)

Time: 11:30 - 14:00

August 13th - Silent Protest
A peaceful, silent protest expressing grief for those killed in Tibet and personal messages from Tibetans and supporters. You will be able to write your own message on the provided placards.

LONDON: Opposite the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place London W1B

Time: 17:30 - 19:30

August 15th - Bike Ride for Tibet
A peaceful bicycle ride (roller-bladers welcome too!) showing solidarity and support for Tibetans. Fly a Tibetan flag from your bike!

LONDON: Gather: Under Waterloo Bridge, South Bank, London</