Brussels, (Belgium): Earlier on May 11, on the day the Fifth International Conference of Tibet Support Groups was due to begin in Brussels, a protest was staged here in response to Belgium government’s unwillingness to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to their country.
Reportedly around 100 people participated in the protest, including over 50 Tibetans from the local Brussels community and worldwide leaders of Tibet Support Groups who were scheduled to attend the conference.
Emotionally aggressive crowd of protesters shouted strong poignant slogans such as, “Shame on China”, “Shame on Belgium”, “Where is the Dalai Lama?”
The protesters believe that it was the very first time the phrase “Where is The Dalai Lama?” has ever been chanted.
The incident drew the attention of numerous pedestrians and motorists and many even expressed signs of support for the action.
The protest lasted about an hour in the rain. It concluded with a recitation of a long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and singing of the Tibetan National Anthem.
For more images of the protest, visit: www.rangzen.org.
Based on the story forwarded by Larry Gerstein (Rangzen@aol.com)
