Sunday, June 15 – Tibetans and supporters in Italy amounting to more than 2,000 took to the Rome City Centre for a peace march to protest against the decision to take the blood stained Olympic torch through Tibet. Tibetan flags soared high in the sky while slogans denouncing the authoritative regime echoed through the streets.
President of the Tibetan Community in Italy Dr. Thupten Tenzin called on Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi and the European Union to boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Despite promises China continues to use its repressive policy in Tibet and remains completely isolated and militarized. He said the participation of the European Head of States will legitimize the brutality of the Chinese administration. “We are here to also demonstrate our solidarity with the Return to Tibet March which will be arriving at the Indo-Tibet borders very soon,” he further added.
In his speech, Honorable Matteo Mecacci of the Radical Party and Member of Commission of External Affairs of the present Italian Government said, “We still don’t know if the Italian Prime minister will attend the opening ceremony but we certainly don’t want him to do so”.
Honorable Luca Mellan and Bruno Mellano also attended the march and gave brief speeches in support of the Tibetan cause.
Italian Actress Tiziana Foschi read part of His Holiness’s message to the international community for their support and a short prayer session was held in memory of the victims of the recent Chinese crackdown in Tibet.
Tseten Samdup Choekyaba, Representative of His Holiness in Geneve sent a message to the Italian people and the government asking for support in the non violent struggle of Tibetans. In his note read by Dr. Thupten Tenzin, Choekyaba said that the Dalai Lama did not seek independence but genuine autonomy which is aimed at preserving the Tibetan (minority) culture and language, a degree of self governance excluding matters of foreign relations and national defense. The message also observed the undying support of the Italian community and concluded with sincere appreciation of their efforts.
There was a large presence of monks and nuns from some Tibetan Buddhist Centers of Italy especially the Lama Tsongka Institute. The Taxi Union of Rome joined the march which was addressed by local politicians as a mark of solidarity with the cause. The Tibetan National Anthem was sung by those gathered at the City Center which saw the day’s event draw to an end.
The peace march was made possible by the Tibetan Community of Italy, Tibetan Women’s Association and the Laogai Research Center and Association Italy Tibet.
Report filed by Tenzin Sangpo, Tibetan Community of Italy/edited by Tenzin Sangmo
