Toronto, August 8 – An estimate of 800 Tibetans and supporters gathered in front of the Legislative Building of Ontario (Queen’s Park) in Toronto in support for the Tibetan People’s Movement in New Delhi, India on August 8, 2007. Since July 8, 2007, 14 Tibetans are on Indefinite Hunger Strike led by Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC Centrex) in New Delhi, India. The 14 indefinite hunger strikers have put forward 5 demands for the government of China to fulfill by August 7, 2007. However, there hasn’t been any response from the People’s Republic of China; therefore, Tibetan Youth Congress-chapters around the world joined the massive movement on August 8, 2007 which also marks a year countdown for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In Toronto, “The Tibetan People’s Mass Movement”, organized by Toronto Tibetan Youth Congress began with the Tibetan and Canadian National Anthem, one minute silence for pawos and pamos (martyrs) of Tibet and the Tibetan Uprising Song (Mimang Langlu). The statement issued on July 7, 2007 from the Tibetan Youth Congress was read by Tenzin Dolma of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Toronto (RTYC Toronto) and Karma Lodoe (RTYC Toronto executive member) explained about the ongoing indefinite hunger strike and asked Tibetans to support TYC. Member of Provincial Parliament, Cheri DiNovo was present and she expressed her solidarity and support for the Tibet’s cause.
The crowd then sang Dhentsik Monlam for all the Tibetans in and outside of Tibet and then headed to the Chinese consulate through the heart of Toronto. For the passerby, handouts were distributed. The protesters kept on voicing anti-China slogans and were able to send messages of Tibet to the international community. When getting closer to the Chinese consulate, the people’s voices rose up even more. Several media correspondents also came to cover the news and message of the Tibetan people in Toronto.
Once we reached the Chinese Consulate, we sang the National anthem of Tibet and Canada followed by the Tibetan Uprising Song. Michael Craig of Amnesty International attended the protest and stated “detention without trail has been increased by the Chinese government”. Member of Parliament, Peggy Nash also came at the Chinese Consulate and with solidarity she mentioned about passing a motion at the House of Commons regarding the dialogue between the Chinese officials and the Tibetan government in Exile. After That Norbu Tsering La, Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario (CTAO) and Tsering Norzom la, Tibetan Women’s Association of Ontario spoke briefly about the current news in Tibet and India. During the protest RTYC Toronto fundraised for the TYC-led indefinite hunger strike in Delhi, India.
On August 7, 2007, Toronto Tibetan Youth Congress organized “One Day Hunger Strike” and “Candle Light Vigil” from 9am -8pm in front of the Chinese consulate. The candle light vigil began from 7pm-8pm. There were 38 participants in which the youngest one was 11 years old. We were approached by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) with the request from the Chinese Consulate general whether we had the permit to hold the “One Day Hunger Strike” in front of the Chinese consulate in Toronto. Through the RCMP, we were able to send the five demands of TYC-led indefinite hunger strike to the consulate general; however, the consulate general refused to take it. Despite the wet weather, the hunger strikers continued their protest till the end. The Tibetan Women’s Association of Ontario also took part on this hunger strike.
There has been an immense support from the Tibetans in Toronto for the movements organized by Toronto Tibetan Youth Congress on August 7th and August 8th 2007. We anticipate a similar kind of support and dedication from the Toronto Tibetans in our future activities as well.
Report prepared by RTYC, Toronto.
