China admits Tibet monk protests
Chinese officials have acknowledged that Buddhist monks were protesting in the Tibetan city of Lha
sa this week.
Unconfirmed reports earlier this week said as many as 600 monks had taken part in rallies, and that police used tear gas to disperse them.
Rights groups said the demonstrations were the biggest display of opposition to Chinese rule in Tibet since 1989.
US-based Radio Free Asia reported on Tuesday that dozens of monks had been detained as the authorities sought to crack down on dissent.
[...] Radio Free Asia reported that a number of monks were arrested on Monday after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.
[...] Matt Whitticase from the UK-based Free Tibet Campaign said protesters in Lhasa had been "emboldened" by the support they were receiving from across the world.
"Tibetans inside Tibet are aware that Tibetans in India are marching towards the Tibet border," he said.
Tibetan exiles in India began a march to the border with China on Monday - one of several events protesting against the Beijing Olympics and campaigning for an independent Tibet.
But Indian police arrested more than 100 of the exiles, saying their march breached an agreement between Delhi and the Tibet's India-based government-in-exile, headed by the province's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
[...] Beijing claims sovereignty over Tibet, but many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959 and currently lives in exile in India.
March 13, 2008
The 49th Anniversary of Resistance
September 9, 2007
Battered Patriots, All
There’s a 9/11/01 every day in Afghanistan and Iraq. Children are growing up accepting war and fear as normal. Citizens still hang on to illusions because the truth hurts too much. Like battered spouses, we love our governmate, and will stand by our country no matter what.
One poignant moment from last night’s Times Square event came when a man in his 60s refused the flyer I offered. As he passed he tried not to look at the posters but was drawn to them like a moth to light. I asked him if he had any questions about what happened that day. His face turned red and he demanded, “Don’t ask me any questions!” The woman with him smiled, took a flyer and tried to reassure me that he wasn’t really troublesome, he just gets like that. We began to talk, but the man flipped out and demanded they leave. I watched as the two of them walked away arguing.
A big later they passed by again, he looking like a tornado and she, a dedicated geisha bowing submissively behind her consort. Nearing 42nd Street they briefly separated. I approached her and apologized if I caused any trouble between them. She smiled sadly and said it wasn’t unusual. We parted as friends.
People say demonstrations don’t accomplish anything. Doing nothing doesn’t accomplish anything. It’s hard to know what action will take fire and what will flame out but we must persist with every available option. when a new tactic comes along, grab it. For now, "Use what you got to get what you need." By any means necessary.
9/11 is coming up. RAGE ON!