Tibet independence groups announced plans to stage protests at Major League Baseball ballparks next week, objecting to next year’s Beijing Olympics ahead of the one-year-out date on August 8.
Tibet freedom groups want to focus upon China’s human rights record much the way Darfur protesters try to cast light upon Chinese weapons deals that impact the Sudan region, all against a backdrop of China’s upcoming sport showcase.
Thousands of Tibet supporters plan to make their case while attending Major League Baseball games on August 4 at New York, Toronto, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Washington, Seattle, San Diego and Minneapolis.
“It’s time for China to wake up,” campaign manager Jacob Colker said. “Sport fans traveling to the Beijing Olympics will expect nothing less than a free and fair playing field inside and outside the Olympic stadiums.
“China needs to make the kind of progress on Tibetan issues that will register with an international sports audience.”
One group’s demonstration in the stands will be at a New York Yankees home game against Kansas City. The Yankees began working with the Chinese government in January on a training deal to help provide clinics and training in China.
As a result, the Yankees became the first Major League Baseball club to sign players from China, inking developmental deals last month with two 19-year-old prospects, southpaw pitcher Kai Liu and catcher Zhang Zhenwang.
“The Olympic Games cannot cover up China’s brutal occupation of Tibet,” said Students for a Free Tibet deputy director Tenzin Dorjee.
“Our efforts to expose the truth will only escalate over the next year as we push for concrete change inside Tibet.”
