13.08.2008

The world is watching…

A man behind the scenes who has been tirelessly documenting the situation on the ground during the Olympics, known only as “noneck,” was also detained by authorities after he filmed the protest at Tiananmen Square today.

On 10.08.08, there was a protest in Tiananmen square by a Tibetan Woman and four supporters; and another four protestors demonstrated and were detained in a Beijing Hotel.

SFT’s co-founder and fearless leader for many years, John Hocevar, was detained in Beijing on Sunday as he and two long-time SFT members and supporters, Maude Côté and Adam Zenko, attempted to unfurl a banner at the south entrance to Tiananmen Square. At the same time, the first Tibetan exile to protest in Beijing during the Olympics, Padma-Dolma Fielitz, along with Tibet supporter Steve Andersen, were tackled to the ground when they displayed Tibetan flags nearby.

While this protest was taking place, across the city in a hotel basement, five Canadian Tibet supporters were being interrogated by Chinese authorities. Jasmine Freed, Paul Baker, Mike Hudema, Denise Ogonoski, and William Nelson were taken from their rooms for questioning this morning after being under heavy surveillance for days. Last night, when they knew it was very unlikely that they would make it out of the hotel again, they recorded heartfelt messages of support for the Tibetan people.

As China kicked off the 2008 Beijing Olympics on 08.08.08, Tibetans and supporters in every part of the world staged hunger strikes, protest marches, solidarity vigils, and other direct actions to highlight China’s oppression in Tibet.Just hours ago, five Tibet supporters held a dramatic protest in Tiananmen Square, 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 Chairman Mao in the background. A fifth activist spoke about their reason for protesting there today. They were detained by security ten minutes after the protest began.

Yesterday, three Tibet supporters, including SFT’s Grassroots Coordinator Kalaya’an Mendoza, protested near the entrance of the Bird’s Nest stadium, wearing Team Tibet t-shirts and holding up Tibetan flags in the air. Within 40 seconds, security guards tackled them to the ground. They were detained for several hours before they were deported.

We are also happy to inform you that Iain, Lucy, Phil and Tirian - the four activists who were part of the banner hang action outside the Olympic stadium - are safely home after receiving a warm welcome from their friends, family and local Tibetans in their respective home countries.

Meanwhile, Chemi Dolkar, a Tibetan-American who traveled to Beijing to speak out for Tibetan freedom, was detained at Beijing Airport for 15 hours and eventually deported. Chemi arrived in her hometown Minneapolis last night, and right now she is speaking with the media to keep the Tibetan plight in the spotlight. Many dozens of Tibetans planning to go to Beijing to protest against the Chinese government have been denied entry into China.

The world is watching China today as the Olympics begin, and with the hundreds of actions taking place around the world - from Delhi to Kathmandu, Brussels to London, New York to San Francisco, Hong Kong to Toronto, and many more - the voices of the Tibetan people will be heard loud and clear despite the attempts of the Chinese authorities to silence them.

Students for a Free Tibet
[Students for a Free Tibet, India (SFT India) is the India National Network of Students for a Free Tibet International, which has over 650 chapters in more than 35 countries.]