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Speak out for Tibetan Freedom on March 10th!
On March 10th, Tibetans and their supporters commemorate the fateful day in 1959 when Tibetans rose up against China’s illegal invasion and occupation of their country. Chinese troops responded with brutal force and on March 17th the Dalai Lama and members of the Tibetan government were forced to flee to India. In the months that followed the uprising, tens of thousands of Tibetan men, women and children were massacred and imprisoned.
Forty-seven years later, the spirit of resistance and freedom that compelled Tibetans to take to the streets on March 10th, remains strong both inside and outside Tibet. Now, with the Beijing Olympics only two years away and the international spotlight on China, we are taking advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to intensify our actions for Tibetan freedom.
On this important day, please join thousands of people around the world speaking out for Tibetan freedom. Send the letter below now to Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Free Tibet Now.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
March 10th, 2006 marks 47 years since thousands of Tibetans demonstrated against China's occupation of their homeland. In
the following months, tens of thousands of Tibetans were massacred by Chinese forces.
On this day, Tibetans and their supporters worldwide remember those who have died in the struggle to regain Tibet's independence. They remember the human rights violations perpetuated against their people and the brave Tibetans inside Tibet who continue to defy China's occupation with acts of resistance. Ultimately, they remember the spirit that keeps Tibetans fighting for their country - the spirit that will prevail until Tibet is free.
I urge you today to release all Tibetan political prisoners. I am particularly concerned about the Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, who will turn seventeen this year, having spent over ten years of his life under house arrest, and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who continues to be wrongfully imprisoned. They are both innocent and should be released immediately.
In addition, I urge you to negotiate an end to China's occupation of Tibet. Please enter into negotiations without preconditions with the Tibetan Government in Exile immediately.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
March 10, 2006
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Around the world today, March 10th, Tibetans and their supporters commemorate the fateful day in 1959 when Tibetans rose up against China’s illegal invasion and occupation of their country. Chinese troops responded with brutal force and on March 17th the Dalai Lama and members of the Tibetan government were forced to flee to India. In the months that followed the uprising, tens of thousands of Tibetan men, women and children were massacred and imprisoned.
Forty-seven years later, the spirit of resistance and freedom that compelled Tibetans to take to the streets on March 10th, remains strong. Inside Tibet, the noble battle continues to rage. Acts of protest occur almost daily, despite the harsh repercussions. The recent fur burning campaign, which has spread across Tibet, is but one creative example of Tibetan resistance. Outside Tibet, the movement for Tibetan freedom is building strength as we continue to confront and shame China’s leaders wherever they may go. In the past year alone, we have directly confronted the Chinese Communist Party Chairman, Hu Jintao, in Canada, the US and the UK, as well as other Chinese leaders in Bangalore, New York, Montreal and beyond.
Now, with the Beijing Olympics only two years away and the international spotlight on China, we are taking advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to intensify our actions for Tibetan freedom. Just two days ago, Wangpo Tethong, coordinator of the International Tibet Support Network’s Olympic campaign, staged a rare protest in China's Tiananmen Square, unfurling a banner reading “Hu, You Can’t Stop Us – 2008-FreeTibet.org” in front of the Olympic countdown clock. This brave demonstration was the first of its kind by a Tibetan in Beijing and is a sign of things to come if China does not solve the Tibetan issue before August 2008.
On this important day, please join thousands of people around the world speaking out for Tibetan freedom. Send this letter to Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, and please also contact your nearest Chinese consulate or Chinese Embassy and demand an end to the occupation of Tibet.
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