Press

Indian and Tibetan Community in Dharamshala jointly welcomed the torch

For Immediate Release
August 3, 2008

Contact: B Tsering: 9418792810 (Tibetan, Hindi, English)
Chime Youngdung: 9418069179 (Tibetan, Hindi)
Phuntsok Wangchuk: 9418324751 (Tibetan)
Tenzin Choeying: 9816368335 (Tibetan, Hindi, English)

Mcleod Ganj - After traveling around the world and covering almost every state in India carrying a message of truth and resistance, the Tibetan Freedom Torch, that had a high profile start from Olympia on March 10th arrives Dharamshala - heart of the Exile Tibetans - 5 days before the opening of the Beijing Olympics. The Torch is welcomed here by hundreds Tibetans and supporters along the route as it runs through the town Chanting ‘Bhod Gyalo’ (Victory to Tibet).

Since March 10th 2008, Tibetans in Tibet have been voicing their deep rooted resentment against China’s illegitimate rule of their country and demanding fundamental rights. The Chinese government responded with a brutal crackdown to the nonviolent uproar of the Tibetan people, killing more than 200 Tibetans and detaining thousands. Denying the widespread peaceful protest as an indication of the failure of their unjust policies in Tibet the Chinese government began aggravating the “patriotic re-education” campaigns forcing Tibetans to express their love for the Communist regime and denounce H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama.

“The Chinese government has and is still trying to fool the world using the Beijing Olympics to cover its atrocities in Tibet and its abysmal human rights record in China and abroad”, said Chime Youngdung, President of National Democratic Party of Tibet. “Tibetans and supporters all over the world will make sure that the world sees the brutal face of China during and after the Olympics”.

For Tibetans, the Olympics offer a rare opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Chinese government’s illegal, unjust occupation of Tibet for the past 50 years. It also highlights the importance of Tibet issue and for the Tibetans to show the Chinese leaders that the time has come to heed upon the Tibet problem with seriousness and resolve the matter without further delay.

“The Tibetan Freedom Torch represents the hope and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice, and the commitment of people around the world to helping make this dream a reality”, said Dr. B Tsering, President of Tibetan Women’s Association.

The torch has been traveling the globe starting from Olympia, Greece, on 10th March, 2008 and thereafter toured more than 50 cities across America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Uruguay before finally reaching India on the 9th July.

The current India leg of the torch started from Delhi on the 10 July and ends in Ladakh on 8 August 2008. During this month-long tour, it has been received by Tibet Supporters in 28 different cities including capital cities of almost all the states in India. The next stop will be Shimla.

***

Torch Route in Dharamshala:

Mentsekhang (Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute)

Gankyi (Central Tibetan Administration Compound)

GuChusum (Former Political Prisoner’s Movement) Jogiwara Road

Mcleod Ganj

Upper TCV school

Function:

Oath Taking by Chief Guest, Dr. Kuldeep Chant Agnihotri ( Director of Himachal University and National Coordinator of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch)

Torch Introduction by Tsering Choedup (Coordinator for south east Asia - International Tibet Support Network)

Speech in Tibetan by Dr. B Tsering (President, Tibetan Women’s Association)

Speech in English by Tenzin Choeying (National Director, Students for a Free Tibet - India Network)

Speech by Kalsang Dhondup (Manager, Tibetan National Sports Association)

Speech by Chief Guest Dr. Kuldeep Chant Agnihotri

Torch Bearers:

Ngawang Gelek (student captain -Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute)

Tenzin Dolkar (Former Athlete and Vice President -Regional Tibetan Women’s Association (Dharamshala)

Bidoo (President - Mcleod Taxi Union)

Kalsang Dhondup (Manager - Tibetan National Sports Association)

Phuntsok (Former Tibetan National Football Player)

Khechok (Tibetan National Football Team)

Lobsang

Lobo Tsering Kyi (Former Miss Tibet)

TCV students and staffs

The Tibetan Freedom Torch has made its triumphant arrival in Dharamsala, after traversing the Indian subcontinent for the past month. As the historic Freedom Torch Relay reaches its celebratory conclusion, Tibetans around the world now focus their attention toward Beijing.You can follow the Olympics through the eyes of SFT live online starting August 6th: www.FT08.tv

We invite you to read some of the wonderful press articles about the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay here:

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/tibetan-freedom-torch-back-in-dharamsala-ahead-of-the-beijing-olympics_10079481.html
http://www.beijingnews.net/story/389807
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Tibetan+exiles%2C+supporters+greet+Tibetan+Freedom+Torch+in+Little+Lhasa&id=22219
http://www.andhranews.net/India/2008/August/3-Tibetan-freedom-torch-57158.asp
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20080803/808/tnl-tibetan-freedom-torch-back-in-dharam.html
http://www.freshnews.in/tibetan-freedom-torch-back-in-dharamsala-ahead-of-the-beijing-olympics-43065
http://rtv.rtrlondon.co.uk/2008-08-03/21719e01.html
http://www.wikio.com/world/asia/tibet
http://www.bombaynews.net/story/389856
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/389856/cs/1/
http://www.newstrackindia.com/printnews/9811
http://in.ibtimes.com/articles/20080803/tibet-exile-freedom-torch-beijing-olympic-dharmsala.htm
http://www.worldofnews.com/view-2523864-Tibetan-freedom-torch-back-in-Dharamsala-ahead-of-the-Beijing-Olympics.html

For Immediate Release
CENTRAL INDIA GREETS TIBETAN FREEDOM TORCH

20 July, Nagpur: Around 35 Indians and Tibetans carried the Tibetan Freedom Torch for the distance of 6 kms starting from Dhiksha Bhumi, the place where Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar took vows of Buddhism, to RBI Square via Lokmat Chok. The relay started at 1:30 pm and the runners reached the destination at 3 pm covering the 6kms route.

Present at the relay were Members of Indo-Tibet Friendship Society, Executive members of the regional chapters of Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association from Bandara Tibetan Settlement and other dignitaries.

The Olympics offer a rare opportunity for the Tibetans to shine a spotlight on the Chinese government’s illegal, unjust occupation of Tibet for the past 50 years. It also highlights the importance of Tibet issue and for the Tibetans to show the Chinese leaders that the time has come to heed upon the Tibet problem with seriousness and resolve the matter without further delay.

The Tibetan Freedom Torch symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice, and the commitment of people around the world to helping make this dream a reality.

The India leg of the Tibetan Freedom Torch started on the 10 July from Delhi and thereafter traveled to the West and South India covering 8 major cities i.e. Jaipur, Bhopal, Baroda, Mumbai, Cochin, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad before reaching Nagpur. The torch will now travel towards North-East India where it goes to major cities such as Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata and Siliguri before travelling its way to the North in Ladakh on the 8th August. We are anticipating good turn out especially in Kolkata, Siliguri and ladakh.

So far Bangalore and Chennai had the biggest turn out of people, around 250 Indians & Tibetans took part in the relays. The Bangalore torch relay started from Banappa Park, Majestic to Gandhi Statue, MG Road covering 3 kms and the Chennai relayed from Monroe Statue, Anna Salai to State Guest House, Wallajah Salai covering almost the same distance as that of Bangalore. Regional TYC and TWA from various south Indian Tibetan settlements along with the heads of different other organizations, students, businessmen and employed youths took part in the Bangalore run. A group of Indian musicians performed live msic and dance at the Gandhi Statue where the run was culminated.

The media interest and the response from general public to the Freedom Torch were amazing in all the regions. It has further enlivened the spirit of Tibetan protest which some media people feel have lost its momentum.

Released by: Core Group for Tibetan Cause in coordination with ITSN

Contact:

Tsering Dorjee, Coordinator, Core group: +91 931 328 2225

Tsering Choedup, Coordinator, ITSN: +91 941 822 1605

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=21913&t=1&c=1

Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay begins its Indian leg

Phayul[Thursday, July 10, 2008 15:59]

By Tenzin Sangmo Dr. NK Trikha (Photo by Lhakpa Tsering) New Delhi, July 10 - The Core Group for Tibetan Cause organized a reception at Jantar Mantar to host the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay’s arrival in India today. The torch was lit by Lama Choephel Zoepa of the Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet at Samtha Sthal in presence of renowned Indian cricketer Kirti Azad and MP Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh. This was followed by the oath taking ceremony led by Kirti Azad. Addressing the media, MP Kiren Rijiju said, “We are gathered here because the issue of Tibet has been raised in every corner of the world today. For us the Beijing Olympics is being organized by suppressing human values and the spirit of the Games. You cannot have an Olympics where you butcher the rights of the Tibetan people. We have to make the Chinese government understand that they cannot bulldoze the rights of the people and continue to climb the ladder of world power”. The torch was taken through the streets of New Delhi and received warmly at Jantar Mantar after a six kilometer walk from Samtha Sthal. Torch bearers included National Convener Dr. NK Trikha from the Core Group for Tibetan Cause and other young Tibetans. Key members spoke about the significance of the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay which stands for hope and aspiration of the Tibetan people for freedom, justice and the commitment of people around the world to help achieve this goal. Actress and social activist Nafisa Ali. (Photo by Lhakpa Tsering) Actress and social activist Nafisa Ali, Journalist and long time friend of Tibet Vijay Kranti, Dr. NK Trikha, Tsering Choedup, Coordinator of the India Tibet Support Network, Mahesh Chadha from Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, MP Choekyong Wangchuk and MP Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok from the Tibetan Government in Exile were among the speakers at today’s event. The Tibetan Freedom Torch began its journey in Greece March 10, 2008 and since toured more than fifty cities across America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan and Uruguay before reaching India on July 9. The Indian leg of the relay is set to take off from Delhi today and ends August 8 in Ladakh after a month long journey through 28 major cities in India.

PRESS STATEMENT

India receives “Tibetan Freedom Torch” with gusto; organizes 6kms run from Samantha Sthal to Jantar Mantar

LIGHT THE PASSION; SHARE THE DREAM, FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR TIBET

Delhi, 10 July: In August 2008, the eyes of the world will be focused on China as it hosts the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But when the opening ceremonies begin, one flag will be missing, the flag of Tibet, the country occupied by China since 1949.

Since March 10th 2008, Tibetans in Tibet have been voicing their deep rooted resentment against China’s rule of their country and demanding fundamental rights. Rather than taking the widespread peaceful demonstrations as an indication of the failure of their hardliners policies in Tibet, the Chinese government has responded with a brutal crackdown, killing more than 200 Tibetans and detaining thousands. The Chinese government began intensifying the “patriotic re-education” campaigns forcing Tibetans to express their love for the Communist regime and denounce H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.

“The Chinese government is trying to use the Beijing 2008 Olympics to whitewash its atrocities in Tibet and its abysmal human rights record in China and abroad”, said Dr. N.K. Trikha, National Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause.

For Tibetans, the Olympics offer a rare opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Chinese government’s illegal, unjust occupation of Tibet for the past 50 years. It also highlights the importance of Tibet issue and for the Tibetans to show the Chinese leaders that the time has come to heed upon the Tibet problem with seriousness and resolve the matter without further delay.

“The Tibetan Freedom Torch symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice, and the commitment of people around the world to helping make this dream a reality”, said Dr. K.C. Agnihotri, National Co-Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause.

The torch has been traveling the globe starting from Olympia, Greece, on 10th March, 2008 and thereafter toured more than 50 cities across America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Uruguay before finally reaching India on the 9th July.

The current India leg of the torch starts from 10th July in Delhi and ends on 8th August 2008 in Ladakh. During this month-long tour, it will be received by Tibet Supporters in 28 different cities including capital cities of almost all the states in India.

For detail log on to: www.TibetanFreedomTorch.org

Released by: Core Group for Tibetan Cause

Contact:

Tsering Dorjee, Coordinator, Core Group for Tibetan Cause: +91 931 328 2225

Tsering Choedup, Coordinator, ITSN: +91 941 822 1605

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Press Invitation

The Core Group for Tibetan Cause is organizing a reception to host Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay’s arrival in India on Thursday, the 10th of July 2008 at Jantar Mantar.

The programme will start with the lighting of the torch from Samntha Sthal at 11 am and end its 6 kms run at Jantar Mantar at 12 noon.

We request your precious presence to make the programme special with your kind blessing.

The “Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay” has started from Olympia, Greece on the 10th of March and will reach India on the eve of 9th July after traveling around the world for nearly four months.

Thanking you,

Yours truly,

Tsering Dorjee (Mr.)
Coordinator

Core Group for Tibetan Cause
2nd Floor, H - 10, Lajpat Nagar - III
New Delhi - 110024
India
Ph: +91-11-29830578/29841569/9313282225(Mb)
Fax: +91-11-51591553
e-mail:indiatibet@rediffmail.com
bharattibet@yahoo.com

ANTORCHA TIBETANA LLEGA A MÉXICO PARA REIVINDICAR EL IDEAL OLÍMPICO Y DENUNCIAR VIOLACIONES A DERECHOS HUMANOS.

El sábado 21 iniciará recorrido a las 15 horas desde el Auditorio Nacional
Por la noche se realizará un festival Pro Tíbet en la Plaza de Santo Domingo.
Los abusos cometidos contra el pueblo Tibetano no son coherentes con el ideal olímpico

Reivindicar el papel pacífico de los Juegos Olímpicos, al tiempo de exigir el respeto a los derechos humanos
en el territorio ilegalmente ocupado del Tíbet, por parte del gobierno Chino, son las principales demandas que
simboliza la “Antorcha Tibetana por la Libertad” que arribará este sábado 21 de junio a la Ciudad de México.

Deportistas de todos los niveles, grupos civiles, ciclistas y personas con capacidades diferentes, integrarán el contingente que llevará el fuego por el sistema de relevos, desde el Auditorio Nacional hasta la Plaza de Santo Domingo, sobre Paseo de la Reforma y el Zócalo capitalino.

La antorcha tibetana busca evitar que el ideal olímpico sirva para justificar u ocultar a la comunidad internacional la violación a derechos humanos fundamentales que el gobierno y ejército chino ejercen sobre Tíbet desde la invasión de 1949. Sólo para recordar, han sido asesinados 145 monjes y civiles tibetanos por fuerzas militares y paramilitares chinas. Recientemente se intenta aprovechar el olimpismo para ocultar o justificar esa invasión

Cabe señalar que no se trata de un boicot o cuestionamiento al movimiento olímpico, se trata de insistir en el reclamo de que la antorcha olímpica no degrade el significado de su esencia, al pasar por el invadido territorio Tibetano, que incluye la cara norte del Everest, ocupado ilegalmente por el gobierno Chino desde 1949. Los abusos cometidos contra el pueblo Tibetano no son coherentes con el ideal olímpico.

El recorrido de la Antorcha por la Libertad de Tíbet en la Ciudad de México, comenzará en el Auditorio Nacional a las 15:00 hrs y cubrirá los siguientes puntos: Ángel de la Independencia, cruce con Insurgentes y Reforma, Hemiciclo a Juárez, Madero, Zócalo, calle Brasil y concluirá en la Plaza de Santo Domingo a las 18:15 horas aprox.

Información de contexto

La antorcha Olímpica oficial llegará este fin de semana a Lhasa, capital de Tíbet y pisará ese país durante cuatro días. Tropas China impedirán que los tibetanos protesten ante la llegada del fuego olímpico, además de que el gobierno Chino implementa otras y severas medidas de control. Desde finales de Marzo no se permite la entrada a ningún periodista, salvo los que el “invitó” en un “pool” especial mismo que no conto con ninguna libertad de cobertura y menos de expresión, desde entonces el país permanece aislado y todos los medios de comunicación vetados.

Resulta inhumano que al paso de la antorcha olímpica sean censurados y asesinados los Tibetanos, los mexicanos deben de saberlo. Por ello, más de 150 organizaciones de apoyo al Tíbet, incluido el grupo mexicano “Pensando en Tíbet (PET)” enviaron cartas al presidente del Comité Olímpico Internacional, Jacques Rogge para cancelar la visita de la antorcha Olímpica a toda la región Tibetana.

Todas éstas organizaciones que además pertenecen a la Red Internacional de Apoyo al Tíbet (ITSN) enviaron cartas a los patrocinadores (Coca-Cola, Lenovo, y Samsung) de los Juegos Olímpicos para exigirles que se retiren de las Olimpiadas a menos que la ruta de la antorcha haya sido cambiada. La refresquera se retiró pero no se manifestó.

Esperamos contar con la presencia de un reportero y un fotógrafo o camarógrafo de su destacado medio.

Atentamente
“Pensando en Tíbet México”

Vocero: Francisco Fuentes 044 55 54 08 41 58

Enlace medios: Saúl Santana H. 044 55 50 68 9115

E mail: pensandoentibet@gmail.com

Gene Davis, DDN Staff Writer
Denver Daily News (Colorado)
May 28, 2008

CHANGE THAT COURSE! - Protesters march in Colorado Springs yesterday in support of Tibet.

Having the Olympic Torch Relay go through Tibet in June could result in more violence and murders in the Asian province, according to activists who protested yesterday outside of the International Olympic Headquarters in Colorado Springs.

“No one wants lives to be lost because of the Olympic torch,” said Dawn Engle, the president of Colorado Friends of Tibet. “That’s the opposite of what the Olympics are about.”

Around 100 Tibet supporters showed up for yesterday morning’s march that went from the Colorado Springs City Hall to the National Olympic Headquarters. The demonstration was part of the Freedom Torch Bike Relay, which started in Denver on Memorial Day and will travel to more than 50 cities across the world. The event aims to raise awareness for Tibetans’ struggle for freedom and justice.

“We respect the right for individuals to peacefully gather and express their point of view,” said Darryl Seibel, spokesperson for the United States Olympic Committee, in a written statement.

PEOPLE WILL DIE

Because Tibet is in a military state and is in very tense opposition to China’s rule, Engle worries that “emotions are so strong, many more people will die” if the torch goes through the province. Decisions regarding the route for the torch relay are made by the Beijing Games Organizing Committee and approved by the International Olympic Committee.

“We want to keep the pressure on and are hoping it doesn’t got through Tibet at all,” Engle exclaimed.

OPENING CEREMONY

The Tibet supporters also suggested that President Bush should not attend the Olympic opening ceremony unless there’s a substantial positive outcome of negotiations between China and the Dalai Lama.

“The Chinese have kept saying that they will do negotiations with the Dalai Lama, but negotiations haven’t begun,” said Engle. “Now is the perfect opportunity to say, ‘If you want us to be on your side, you have to respect basic human rights.’”

Leaders of other countries, including Germany and France, have agreed to partial boycotts of the Olympics unless negotiations between China and Tibet happen.

STILL HOPEFUL

Engle expressed hope that China would still reach out to Tibet to help bring a resolution to the long-simmering conflict. She said having the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but that China needs to change its human rights policy quickly.

“To engage China and allow them to become part of the world community was a reason to have the Olympics there,” Engle explained. “With that benefit comes responsibility. If you want the right of being a world leader, you have to respect human rights.”

MEDIA ADVISORY
Date: 28 May 2008

Contact: Kalsang Phuntsok
612-281-7619

TIBETAN FREEDOM TORCH RELAY ARRIVES IN MINNESOTA
MINNESOTANS TO MARCH FOR 8 MILES TO HIGHLIGHT TIBET ISSUES

St. Paul, MN – Several hundred Minnesota Tibetans and supporters will participate in protests, vigils, and prayer ceremonies for Tibet on 31 May, when the Tibetan Freedom Torch will parade in St. Paul, to highlight the suffering of the Tibetan people.

Rally participants will march from the State Capitol and walk for almost eight miles down the University Ave W. and end at the Tibetan Community Cultural Center where the event will have a keynote speech by Congressman Keith Ellison. Details of the events are as follows:

Date: 31 May 2008

Time and Place: 10:00AM, State Capitol, St. Paul, MN followed by march

3:30PM, Tibetan Community Cultural Center, 1096 Raymond Ave S. St. Paul, MN

The Tibetan Freedom Torch was launched in Greece on March 10, 2008 despite China’s security presence. It has been traveling around the world since then. This Torch symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice and the commitment of the people around the world to helping achieve this dream. The Olympic torch should embody the ideals of peace and harmony for all, but this year, China’s government is trying to use the Olympic torch relay to cover up its brutal occupation of Tibet and abysmal human rights record. The Tibetan Freedom Torch relay gives voice to the true ideals of Tibetans and reminds the global public of the need for action to bring an end to China’s illegal occupation of Tibet. The Tibetan Freedom Torch will travel to more than 50 cities between March 10th and August 7th, when Tibetans plan to carry the torch to Tibet. The relay will finish on August 8th, the day the Olympics begin in Beijing. For further information about this Torch, visit www.tibetanfreedomtorch.org.

This event is organized by the Minnesota Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, Students for Free Tibet and Regional Tibetan Women’s Association.

BOULDER, Co - On May 26, Tibetans from Colorado and elsewhere along with Tibet supporters will begin a bicycle ride from Denver to Colorado Springs. The group will be carrying the Tibetan Freedom Torch to the doorsteps of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

The purpose of the ride is to request to the U.S. Olympic Committee that the Beijing Olympic Torch not pass through Tibet and that President Bush not attend the Beijing Olympics unless significant progress is made in negotiations between China and His Holiness The Dalai Lama in settling the Tibet issue.

“Even more bloodshed of innocent Tibetans is bound to happen if the Beijing Olympic torch is allowed into Tibet and the blame will fall squarely on the hands of the IOC. China’s actions in Tibet are not commensurate with the Olympics movement. Also, these actions are in clear violation of Olympics Charter 2 and 5,” said Tenzin Dhongyal of the Tibetan Association of Colorado. “We would like to see the Olympic ideals remain intact through Beijing in 2008, but the current course of the IOC seems set to make these Olympics go down in history as an endorsement of brutality and oppression.”

“Carrying the Olympic Torch through Tibet would be a callous provocation to Tibetans who have already risked their lives in recent days to show the world that China’s policies in Tibet cannot be borne,” said Dawn Engle, President of Colorado Friends of Tibet.

The Tibetan Freedom Torch riders will begin on Monday, May 26, at 12pm from the Capitol Building in Denver and will end that day in Monument, Colorado. In the evening, they will lead a discussion about the Tibet situation with members of the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Colorado Springs.

The next day (May 27), the riders will proceed to Colorado Springs. At 10am, there will be a rally at City Hall followed by a walk to the U.S. Olympic Headquarters with an event scheduled there at approximately 12pm. Representatives from the rally will then present a petition to Peter V. Ueberroth (President, U.S. Olympic Committee) requesting that the Beijing Olympic Torch not pass through Tibet.

According to Professor Larry Gerstein, President of the International Tibet Independence Movement, “Peter V. Ueberroth should take a bold step by lobbying the International Olympic Committee to not permit the Beijing Olympic Torch to pass through Tibet. Such an action will demonstrate to China that the U.S. Olympic Committee fully supports the human rights of Tibetans inside of Tibet.”

This “Tibetan Freedom Torch” bike ride is coordinated by the Tibetan Association of Colorado, Colorado Friends of Tibet, and the International Tibet Independence Movement.

For more information, contact Tenzin Dhongyal (tenzindhongyal@gmail.com; 303-601-1843), Dawn Engle (DawnEngle@aol.com; 303-961-3184), or Larry Gerstein (rangzen@aol.com; 317-506-2249).

See a great video of the Philadelphia torch run at http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080522_Passage_of_Tibetan__Freedom_Torch__is_subdued.html

(Philadelphia Inquirier, May 22, 2008)

By Jeff Gammage

Inquirer Staff Writer

Local Tibetans ran a ceremonial “Freedom Torch” through Philadelphia yesterday, their pace and rhetoric subdued in recognition of the thousands killed in the Sichuan Province earthquake. “Free Tibet, free Tibet,” the demonstrators chanted, but only for a minute, and quietly, upon reaching Independence Hall after a nearly three-hour relay.

“This movement is not anti-China; this is pro-Tibet, pro-human rights, pro-freedom,” said Kalaya’an Mendoza of Students for a Free Tibet.

The worldwide running of the Tibetan Freedom Torch is a shadow protest of the official Beijing Olympic Torch relay. Last week’s deadly earthquake has forced Tibetan protesters to tread gently in criticizing China’s human-rights record, and organizers took pains yesterday to say they opposed the communist government, not the Chinese people.

The aim of the event was “not only to advance the cause of the Tibetan people, but also in honor of those who have lost their lives, their families, their homes, and their livelihoods,” said Jeff Granett, an organizer who serves on the board of the U.S. Tibet Committee.

The ceremonies began outside City Hall, with about 50 Tibetans and western supporters gathered under sunny skies, a dozen blue, red and gold Tibetan flags fluttering in the breeze. People wore gold T-shirts emblazoned, “Let freedom ring in Tibet.”

Buddhist monks led prayers for the people of Tibet and for the more than 40,000 Chinese killed in the earthquake. Then came the singing of the Tibetan national anthem.

“Too bad I couldn’t hear it when I was in Tibet, huh?” one woman said, noting that Chinese authorities ban displays of Tibetan nationalism.

Yesterday, some government workers and businesspeople who walked across the City Hall plaza during their lunch break weren’t quite sure what they were seeing.

“It’s the opening ceremony for the Olympics and stuff,” one passerby told a friend.

Actually the Tibetan torch is traveling to 50 cities and scheduled to arrive in Tibet on Aug. 7, the day before the start of the Beijing Olympics.

“With this Freedom Torch, we have a lot of hopes for getting support from the people in the west,” said Tsering Wangdi, head of the Tibetan Association of Philadelphia. “We want to send a message to the rest of the world: We’re still under Chinese rule.”

China temporarily suspended the relay of the official Olympic Torch in deference to the dead and injured. The relay of the Tibetan Torch continues as planned, heading next to Boston.

Wangdi said six months of planning went into yesterday’s relay, making it impossible to cancel the event. However, unlike pro-Tibet rallies held this spring, this one carefully avoided anti-China speeches and sloganeering.

The Freedom Torch - actually lit by a small electric bulb, not a flame - left City Hall in the hands of Geshe Monlam, an elderly monk who fled Tibet in 1959 with the Dalai Lama. Two young men supported his arms as he moved forward and through traffic.

Soon the torch was passed to others, kept always at the head of a throng of 50 who chanted prayers for peace as they walked.

The torch moved through LOVE Park, past non-plussed office workers eating sandwiches, past joggers who never changed expression, to Logan Circle, where drops of wind-blown fountain water cooled the marchers. It moved across the Ben Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum. There, two Tibetans carried the torch up the steps, causing tourists to pause in their own Rocky reenactment and snap photos.

The group circled back along the Parkway to Independence Hall, where 20 supporters waited - as did much-welcomed bottles of water.

“We will stand in solidarity . . . with the Chinese people,” said Granett, the U.S. Tibet Committee member. “Not just those who are victims of the earthquake but also the great majority of Chinese citizens who have been deprived of their basic human rights.”