March 10th: Take to the streets, Join the resistance.
*EDINBURGH MASS DEMONSTRATION + DIRECT ACTION*
stand in solidarity with courageous Tibetan people, resisting 54 years of systematic repression, persecution, and cultural genocide.
March 10th commemorates the Tibetan uprising of 1959 where an estimated 430,000 Tibetans were killed by the invasion of the Chinese military and one hundred thousand Tibetans fled with Dalai Lama into exile in India. This explosion of resistance was crushed by the onslaught of Military forces and led to the Chinese occupation of the Tibetan nation.
March 10th commemorates the Tibetan uprising of 1959 where an estimated 430,000 Tibetans were killed by the invasion of the Chinese military and one hundred thousand Tibetans fled with Dalai Lama into exile in India. This explosion of resistance was crushed by the onslaught of Military forces and led to the Chinese occupation of the Tibetan nation.
On this day every year there is an explosion of Tibetan resistance and mass protests inside Tibet, resulting in severe crackdowns by the Chinese and widespread brutality.
10.3.13
The bitter Edinburgh winds sent shivers down the spines of protesters, setting a reminder of the sobering reason for our march. As the wind howled across the square, we knew the turbulence of the weather reflected the scenes of the crisis in Tibet.
The reality of this crisis was made all too real when protesters were called forward to stand with images of Tibetan who had made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and ended their life in flames. The wind slowed to a quiet murmur as we read out the chilling testimony of sangay dolma, a 17 year old nun who is one of the 107 self-immolations in Tibet. The silence echoed an unspoken message, a shared consensus from every individual in the crowd; what is happening to the Tibetan people is fundamentally wrong, and the world must know.
In an age where Free markets have become substitutes for Freedom of speech and peace is measured by the state's profit, what shone out from the frosty demonstration was how much we have to learn about peace from the Tibetan martyrs.
The Tibetan national anthem broke the silence of the crowd and blasted a chorus of defiance through the heart of Scotland; it was time for us to speak out. Members of Scottish parliament such as Marco Biagi SNP and Alison Johnstone, Green party had their messages of support heard as they rallied on our actions. The cross party group on Tibet stated, 'those who have the power to make change in this world in The International Community should surely stand up and be counted in solidarity with the people of Tibet, who ask for no more than their right to exist and have a say in the future of their country.' Above all our speakers aimed to deliver a message of peace, one that we were all fighting for.
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| Marco Biagi, SNP speaks out in solidarity for Tibetans. |
This message only amplified once we set off on our march to the Chinese Consulate, with protesters full of passion and energy, we shouted out for a Free Tibet to the people of Scotland and demanded that they live with the same rights that we all deserve.Members of the society expressed that the march was both beautiful and shocking. Beautiful to see such dedication, courage, passion, and solidarity people showed today as they united, from all over the UK, for Tibet. Our society felt honored to march along the streets with such inspiring, tenacious people.
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| 150 supporters strong in the heart of Edinburgh. |
What shocked us began at the consulate. We cried out in defiance at the consulate doors, being ushered to the back of the building by the authorities that guided our actions. It became all too clear that those in the free world must change our perceptions on what we deem as violent. The systematic persecution and cultural genocide of Tibetans in their home country arises nothing from the sentiments of our authorities and yet a lone Tibetan protester in Scotland can become branded a criminal if he climbs the gate of the consulate walls to hang a flag of his nation on their door. However, this is not what alarmed us the most.
In the blink of an eye, a consulate worker emerged from the door, slicing through a Tibetan flag with a butchers knife before throwing it carelessly in the bin right in front of our eyes. The Tibetan people, who have had to watch their brothers and sisters of the Himalayas suffer through 54 years of repression had to now witness their national symbol being ripped apart in the 'free world'.
It was shocking to see the same worker, rip apart images of teenagers, who have, and continue to light themselves on fire for freedom. And most shocking of all, was the complete and utter silence. As our demonstrators called for an answer to this cruelty called for a response, we were sadly met by the steel hard gaze and the anxious barrier of the police force. People not capable of looking us in the eye as they shoved images of self immolation back in our faces, only to hit the ground, with nothing but the painful, impenetrable silence.
But over 150 people on the streets of Edinburgh today proved that we will break the silence. No matter how small we are, we are backed by the truth. And that is all we, and anyone who has ever fought against injustice, ever need. As we were joined by more supporters at the consulate, the sun began to break free from the clouds and new speakers such as James Moohan NUS Scotland, Doris Jones Nations without states and Fiona Lindsey from Tibetan Torture survivor program illuminated the reason we stood there today.
We will live to see the day when tortured prisoners, jailed for practicing their religion, speaking their language, listening to their anthem, daring to hold a picture of their leader, the Dalai Lama, will be free. We will live to see the day when people no longer douse themselves in petrol and give their lives to the flames engulfing their body, for basic human rights. We will live to see a free Tibet. There will be an end to the oppression. There will be an end to the unjust occupation of an independent nation. Because the end, as we have seen in as far back as history will take us, always comes. In times like these, we must remember to not lose hope.
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| Our passionate supporters at the Chinese Consulate. |
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction..”
― Howard Zinn
Written by Amie Robertson and Philippa Johnstone,
In Honor of all Tibetan Martyrs and those that continue to fight for the Freedom of their country,
We are with you, Scotland will always be with you.
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