While the 56th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising on March 10 was marked by increased security by Chinese officials within Tibet, protests and commemorations occurred across the world demonstrating international support for the Tibetan cause.
Crackdowns within Tibet began ahead of Uprising Day during the Monlam Prayer Festival when a massive military presence, including ranks of fully armed soldiers and armoured vehicles, began to intensify. Apart from the military build-up, tourism and travel were restricted, the movements of local residents were closely monitored, and various checkpoints were established to search both vehicles and people. These measures to increase security were made in an attempt to discourage any protest that might occur ahead of the anniversary.
Norchuk
Gedun Phuntsok
Despite the heightened security, there were two instances of protest within the occupied country. The first, which occurred on March 6 in Ngaba, Amdo, was a self-immolation. Norchuk, 47, died and was later cremated before Chinese officials could confiscate her body. On March 7, a solo protest carried out by monk Gedun Phunstok also occurred in Ngaba. Gedun Phunstok carried a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and shouted slogans calling for freedom and equality before being arrested. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
Tamdin was shot in his leg
A young man, Tamdin, was also shot and injured in Draggo, Kardze in the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture. Tamdin was travelling with friends by motorbike to hang prayer flags and make incense offerings to commemorate Uprising Day when police attempted to stop the group. When they failed to yield, police opened fire injuring Tamdin’s right thigh. His friends escaped unharmed.
Outside of Tibet, exiled Tibetans and international supporters held protests and commemorations in well over a dozen countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, India, Luxembourg, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United States.
To mark the occasion, Lobsang Sangay, the leader of Tibet’s exiled government, gave a speech to nearly 5,000 supporters in Dharamshala. The speech, which called for dialogue with China as the only possible means to resolve the Tibet issue, was followed by a protest march. Elsewhere in India, protestors in New Delhi carried out demonstrations in front of the Chinese Embassy. After trying to storm the gates, protestors clashed with police after which the Delhi police used force in order to disperse the crowds. Numerous arrests were made.
In Nepal, activists sang songs and made offerings to a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as part of their peaceful commemorations, but no demonstrations were held due to growing pressure from Nepalese authorities.
Nancy Pelosi at the gathering in San Francisco
In the United States, Congressional Representative Nancy Pelosi joined hundreds of people gathered in San Francisco to offer her support for Tibetans while commemorating the 56th anniversary and paying tribute to the ongoing Tibetan resistance.
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