On February 21st, Tibetans in Rebkong in Amdo [Eastern Tibet] clashed with Chinese authorities at the annual Molam Chenmo or Great Prayer Festival. According to Radio Free Asia, three bus loads of armed and plainclothes police were deployed into the crowd of Tibetans gathered at the festival. A series of protests erupted after authorities started interrogating one man, leading to the detention of hundreds of monks who joined the protests, shouting Tibetan independence slogans and calling for the long life of the Dalai Lama. Police used tear gas and violence to try and disperse the crowd but Tibetans continued to protest. Click here to read Radio Free Asia's report about the incident.

Sources from the region have also expressed concerns that Chinese authorities will try to re-arrest some of the monks involved in the protest.

Please take a moment now to phone the Chinese authorities in Rebkong to show them the world is watching their actions closely, especially now in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics.

Please note: China is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time
Local Administration Contact: 86-9738722480
Department of Religion: 86-9738722320 or 86-9738722099

If the person on the phone doesn't speak English, please read out loud the below lines in Chinese.
English: The Chinese government must not arrest the Tibetans
Chinese: "jang-fu bu-shue daibu zang-zu" (Pinyin: zhengfu buxu daibu zangzu)

English: We are watching you
Chinese: "wamen guanju nimen" (Pinyin: women guanzhu nime)