New York December 6, 2005 – Over sixty Tibetans and supporters ignored sub-freezing temperatures outside of the Chinese Mission yesterday to let the Chinese leadership know that the world will not stand China’s continued oppression of free speech and religious freedom inside of Tibet.
Students for a Free Tibet, the Tibetan Youth Congress, and the Tibetan Women’s Association coordinated a candlelight vigil calling for the release of imprisoned Drepung monks and an end to China’s vicious “patriotic education” campaigns inside of Tibet. The vigil comes in response to last week’s crackdown inside the Drepung Monastery following the silent protest by an unknown number of monks. Some reports have placed the number of monks involved in the protest as high as 400.
The Tibetan crowd’s protest chants were often greeted by jeers from Chinese Mission staff inside the building. In response, the protesters displayed the occasional outburst of emotion and indignation, but peace was maintained throughout the protest.
