Coinciding the World Human Rights Day, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York and New Jersey organized a rally on December 10, 2005 in order to make public aware of the ongoing human rights violations in Tibet taking into consideration the recent arrest and detention of the five Drepung monks in Lhasa.
The rally comprising of about three hundred participants including the members from SFT, Tibetan Womens Association, and the Tibetan Association started off from lower Brooklyn passing through the popular Brooklyn Bridge, touching China Town (at East Broadway), and finally arriving at MN-Dag Plaza near UN building around 1.30 pm. After a brief lunch break, the day’s formal program began with the speeches from Mr. Tenzin Kalden (the President of RTYC of NY & NJ), Mr. Jigme Gathong (the Joint Secretary of TYC Centrex), and Ms. Dawa Dolma (PRO of RTYC of NY & NJ) who read out the statement from TYC Centrex. Mr.Kalden related to the significance of the rally, and keeping in view of the recent arrest of Mr.Kalsang Phuntsok (the President of TYC Centrex) and others in Delhi , he urged all Tibetans to make continued efforts in this freedom struggle so that the efforts made by these detainees will not go in vain. Mr. Jigme also expressed great concerns about the recent arrest of the Drepung monks in Lhasa, and also applauded the selfless efforts made by the President of Centrex and other members at the Chinese Consulate in Delhi. After the speeches, the participants resumed their slogans demanding respect for human rights in Tibet and for release of all political and religious prisoners including the recent five detainees from the Drepung Monastery.
At about 3 pm, the group headed towards the Chinese Consulate at West 42nd Street, and reached there at about 3.30pm. The gathering at the Chinese Consulate was then addressed by Mr.Tashi Lhadar (the President of Tibetan Association of NY & NJ) and Ms. Lhadon Tethong (the Executive Director of SFT of NY). Mr. Lhadar also raised concerns about the ongoing human rights violations in Tibet and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the patriotic reeducation campaign and immediate release of the recently arrested Drepung monks. Ms. Lhadon in particular called China “a weak or coward nation” for being reluctant and fearful of recognizing the fundamental rights and freedom of the people, and further warned the Communist regime that its end is near. This was then followed by the resumption of slogans against the Chinese government’s repressive policies for about an hour, and the day’s event finally concluded with national prayer (Denzsig Monlam) and national anthem.
The RTYC of NY & NJ is proud of being able to stage this rally through this Bridge of historical importance for the first time, and extend their heartfelt appreciation to all participants particularly those children (age ranging 8 to15) who braved through the cold weather and made this rally a very memorable one.
Report released by RTYC of NY & NJ
