Tibetan Uprising

When China’s Torch Comes to India on April 17th - Speak out for Tibet.

We, the undersigned Tibetan individuals and organizations, appeal to all Indian citizens and, in particular, those people chosen to be Olympic torch-bearers, to speak out for the Tibetan people when China’s Torch comes to India on April 17th. At this critical moment, when countless Tibetans are suffering under a violent military crackdown by the Chinese government, we need to show that global citizens support the Tibetan people’s right to be free and to live their lives as they see fit.

The courageous actions taken by Tibetans inside Tibet over the past few weeks demonstrate that Tibetans have suffered unimaginably under a half century of Chinese rule. They are now risking everything and crying out for freedom. By speaking out when the Chinese government brings the Olympic Torch to India you will send a strong message to Tibetans, to the Chinese government, and to the world, that Indians support the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people’s nonviolent struggle for freedom and justice.

There are so many ways for everyone to take action.

Torch-bearers can:
- withdraw from the relay;
- wear a Free Tibet shirt or hold the Tibetan flag as they run with the torch;
- issue a statement in support of the Tibetan people before the Relay.

Indian citizens can:
- join or organize a protest as the Torch passes through Delhi;
- wear a Free Tibet shirt or hold a Tibetan flag as the Torch passes by;
- plan a solidarity action in your town or city on April 17th.

As the Chinese government runs the Olympic torch around the world and attempts to whitewash its human rights violations and legitimize its illegal occupation of Tibet, tens of thousands of Tibetans and supporters will be speaking out to expose China’s lies. Please join this global chorus of voices calling for justice for Tibet!

Issued in New Delhi on March 31, 2008

B. Tsering, President, Tibetan Women’s Association
Ngawang Woeber, President, GuChuSum Ex-Political Prisoners Movement of Tibet
Chime Youndung, President, National Democratic Party of Tibet
Tenzin Choeying, President, Students for a Free Tibet India

There are many ways to show your support for the protesters inside Tibet. (more…)

For Indian citizens, please fax the letter below to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

For citizens of other countries, you can find the contact information for the Indian ambassador in your country here and a sample letter below. Remember, faxing and phoning have more impact than email. (more…)

In light of the recent protests across Tibet and violent crack down by the Chinese authorities, Indians will be holding a national Day of Action for Tibet on Monday, March 24th. As the Beijing Olympic Torch is lit in Greece, Indians and Tibetans will stage mass demonstrations, vigils and sit-ins across India to show their solidarity with the Tibetan protesters inside Tibet. We are calling on all activist organizations and Tibet support groups in India to join in these protests, or organize one in their own communities.

Protests have been organized in the following cities:

New Delhi: Dharna In Protest over The Violent Crack down on peaceful Tibetan Protestors By the Chinese Government In Tibet
Where: Jantar Mantar
When: March 24th, 10.30am
Organised by: Core Group for Tibetan Cause, Friends of Tibet, All India Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, Bharat Tibbat Sahypg Manch, India Tibet Friendship Society, Akhil Bharatiya Biddarthi, Parishad, Rashtriya Sikh Sangh
Local Contact: Aprajita Sarcar / Ph: +9899086964 / email: aprajita.sarcar@friendsoftibet.org

Kolkata: Sit in Dharna in Esplanade Junction (Opposite Metro Cinema) and Candle Light March to Park Street circling Mayo Road.
Where: Esplanade Junction
When: March 24th, 12pm
Local Contact: Pemba Bhutia / Ph: +919932883275 / email: sftkolkata@gmail.com

Hyderabad:
Local Conatct: Arnav Anjaria / Ph: +919912569624 / email: arnav.anjaria@gmail.com

Chennai:
Local Contact: Kalsang Damdul / Ph: +919840214279 / email: hippiedamdul@yahoo.com

Baroda:
Local Contact: Jigme (Regional Tibetan Youth Congress) Ph: +919998618859

Main Contact for all events:
Shibayan Raha (New Delhi) - Outreach Coordinator, Students for a Free Tibet India / Ph: +919891849844 / shibayanraha@gmail.com

Join us in the People’s Uprising for a Free Tibet!

March 17th marks one week since courageous Tibetans took to the streets and began this incredible uprising inside Tibet. It is also the deadline the Chinese authorities have given to protesters to turn themselves in and they may receive “lenient treatment.”

Most recent developments inside Tibet indicate that protests are spreading across Amdo and Kham. Despite an intense climate of fear and at great risk to themselves, Tibetans continue to rise up.

It is for this reason that we call on Tibetans and Tibet supporters worldwide to show their solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet by raising the Tibetan flag.

Fly the Tibetan flag on March 17th.

Show our Tibetan brothers and sisters inside of Tibet that we are with them and as they raised their flag, so too will we.