Twelve million people witnessed truth, passion and the infinite flight of human spirit unfold on their television sets in Europe. Twelve million people watched in their living rooms the patriotic resilience of three brave Tibetans, visibly enervated by more than a week of fasting, telling the world with their anemic eyes and gaunt faces the story of their dying country.
The TV crew of Striscia la notiza, Italian national television channel’s most watched reality show visited the Hunger Strikers to cover the TYC led Indefinite Hunger Strike for their Prime Time broadcast. Through a translator the Hunger Strikers spoke to the world about the mission that they have undertaken, drawing the attention of the world towards the plight of the millions of Tibetans suffering and enduring torture in Tibet. Ven. Palden Gyatso la gathered his energy as he recounted to the camera his sad yet inspirational years of more than three decades that he spent in the Chinese dungeons for a Free Tibet. Now, nearing seven and a half decades and still bearing with full vigour the torch of our freedom struggle, Ven. Palden Gyatso la has attained the status of a living legend, a hero whose story will be told and retold for generations to come.
The TYC led Indefinite Hunger Strike in Turin, Italy for ‘No Olympics in China Until Tibet is Free’ in its eight day continued to receive extensive media coverage and attention from the world press, having congregated on the Alpine mountains to cover the winter Olympics.
With only a couple of glasses of water to moist their throats, the health of the three Hunger Strikers Ven. Palden Gyatso, Tamding Choephel and Sonam Wangdue have been deteriorating with each passing day. Yet the demeanor of their faces has determination written all over. While supporters kept on coming to show their support and convey their wishes for the realization of the Hunger Striker’s demands, petitions numbering in tens of thousands have been sent to the IOC demanding the withdrawal of the 2008 Summer Olympics from Beijing.
The Hunger Strike movement also received strong support from Mr.Ermesto Oliverro, Director of Sermig (Young Missionery Service) located in Turin. Sermig is one of the most popular misssionery services in Italy with a strong network spread all over the world. Mr. Oliverro presented the Hunger Strikers the honour of speaking at Sermig by inviting Ven. Palden Gyatso la to address the service community on the demands of the Indefinite Hunger Strike.
Mr. Mario Scotti, General Secretary of C I S L Trade Union, Mr. Squeo President of Christian Workers Movement and Mr. Rosetto of Trade Union VIL were among the many supporters who visited the Hunger Strike tent. They assured the Hunger Strikers of putting pressure on the Turin Olympic Organizing Committee (TOROC) to persuade the IOC to consider the demands of the Hunger Strikers. Thanking the dignitaries for their concern and support, Mr. Sonam Wangdue on behalf of the Hunger Strikers marveled at the support coming from representatives of Trade Unions despite their interests in the Chinese market.
Elsewhere in Rome on the 21st of February a surprise mass demonstration was organized in the city, which ended with the storming of the Chinese Embassy. Organized by the Tibetan community, Italy, the former President of TYC Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok led the demonstration into the Chinese embassy at Rome as a mark of support with the demands of the TYC Indefinite Hunger Strike.
The TYC led Indefinite Hunger Strike at San Pietro In Vincoli, Turin, Italy started on the 14th of February.
To express your support and solidarity kindly visit www.tibetanyouthcongress.org.
Contact Details:
Ms. Pema Yangchen, Organisational Secretary, TYC and Coordinator+393332542727
Mr. Tamding Chomphel, Vice President, Tibetan Community, Italy +393332542727
Mr. Lobsang Yeshi, Acting President, Tibetan Youth Congress, Dharamshala, India +91-1892-221554/9816106224 Email: tyc@vsnl.com
Established in 1970, Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) is the largest non-governmental organization within the Tibetan community fighting for the complete independence of Tibet, having over 30,000 active members in 80 Regional chapters across the globe.
