A fight over a flag is putting Charlottesville in the international spotlight.
The city will fly the Tibetan flag at City Hall in one week, marking the day Tibetans observe their National Uprising Day.
The Chinese government is blasting City Council for the move.
Last month, a group of Tibetans went before Council, asking for the flag to be flown. Council agreed and granted the request.
The problem is that China says it owns Tibet. In an e-mail sent to councilors, a representative of the Chinese embassy said the following:
“The action taken by City Council not only interferes in China’s internal affairs, but also departs from the established policy of the U.S government against the Tibetan independence.”
Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris says Council has no problem flying the flag.
“Council was unanimous in our desire to express our symbolic solidarity with the people of Tibet,” he said.
Norris says the request from the Chinese government has been noted, but as of now the Tibetan flag will fly.
There will also be a march on Monday starting at City Hall, which will run through the entire city as part of Tibetan National Uprising Day.
Reported by Henry Graff
