Uprising Day 2008 |
Hundreds march for Tibet on 8th March 2008
Around 500 people marched through London on 8th March to mark the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising of 1959.
The march was lead by four of the Drapchi nuns, (Ngawang Sangdrol, Phuntsog Nyidrol, Gyaltsen Drolkar & Namdrol Lhama) reunited for the first time since being released from long prison sentences in Tibet, and worked its way from the Chinese Embassy in Portland Place to Palace Street near Victoria, taking in many of the sites of London.
A petition was presented at 10 Downing Street, and the march was followed by a rally with speakers and singing and then a Tibetan cultural event.
Despite the bad weather, the march attracted more supporters than last year, and we look forward to the 50th anniversary march next year!
The Drapchi nuns
The march was led this year by four of the nuns imprisoned in Drapchi prison in the Lhasa for carrying out peaceful protests against Chinese rule while in their teens and twenties.
March 2006 marked the release of the last of the Drapchi nuns, Phuntsog Nyidrol, and the 'singing nuns' now travel telling their stories, letting the world know about the beatings, torture and solitary confinement which they suffered at the hands of their Chinese captors.
The nuns had their sentences extended for recording freedom songs while in prison, and marked Uprising Day by singing together; a 'crime' which carried a harsh sentence back in Tibet.
The Dalai Lama's Uprising Day message
Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama made a statement about the plight of his country:
'For nearly six decades, Tibetans in the whole of Tibet known as Cholkha-Sum (U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo) have had to live in a state of constant fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese repression.-Nevertheless, in addition to maintaining their religious faith, a sense of nationalism and their unique culture, the Tibetan people have been able to keep alive their basic aspiration for freedom. I have great admiration for the special characteristics of the Tibetan people and their indomitable courage. I am extremely pleased and proud of them.
Many governments, non-governmental organisations and individuals across the world, because of their interest in peace and justice, have consistently supported the cause of Tibet. Particularly during the past year, governments and peoples of many countries made important gestures that clearly expressed their support to us. I would like to express my gratitude to every one of them.'
To read the full statement, please visit this link at Tibet.net
Tibet supporters gather to start the march. |
Banners are waved highlighting the situation in Tibet. |
Uprising 2008
Uprising 2008
Tibetans of all ages join the gathering across London |
A portrait of the Dalai Lama is held up outside the Chinese Embassy for all those who are banned from owning such pictures in Tibet. |
Uprising 2008
Uprising 2008