Tokyo, August 24 – Tibetan Community in Tokyo supported by the members of Tibet Support Network Japan observed a silent March in Tokyo to send a message to the Beijing and IOC that the Beijing Olympics did not lived up to the sacred vision of Olympics. The Event, which was celebrated to elevate the ideals of freedom, peace and harmony, has on the contrary brought repression, violation of human right and press freedom.
People gathered at the Ebisu Park in Tokyo at 4 pm, Mr Kalden, Tibetan Community Representative begun the March explaining the objective of this silent March. He said today as the Beijing celebrates the successful end of the Olympics, we are here to inform them of their brutal deeds in Tibet, since the event unfolding March 10 this year, brutal repression, killing and arbitrary arrest and torture has continued in Tibet.
`We all are here to mourn and pray for those killed and tortured, and to send message to the Chinese authorities that they should come out of their false image and face the reality. Violence and brutality will only tarnish image of China, we pray that this Olympic and our silent March serves to open the eyes of Chinese leadership.` Said Mr. Kalden.
Despite continuous downpour on the day, some two hundred and fifty Tibetans and Japanese had gathered for the silent March. The participants mostly clad in black T-shirt marched silently from Ebisu Park to Shibuya streets in Tokyo carrying Tibetan national flags and various placards with the photos of the Tibetans killed in Tibet and with slogan such as `Stop Killing in Tibet, Save Tibet` etc. People carried mock funeral boxes made out of cart boxes wrapped with Tibetan national flag. The March gave a kind of funeral service atmosphere.
Many Japanese were seen marching with tears, it was reported that many Japanese feels that the World cannot ignore what is happening in Tibet. Some people said they boycotted watching Olympics on television. Many fear that if China could act with such brutality when the world is looking at them, it is not hard imagine what will happen after Olympics.
Some Major Japanese Newspapers and Television networks covered the event. A candle light prayers was held at the end of the March. Announcement on Mass Prayer and Fasting event on 30th Aug was also announced before the gathering.
Report prepared by Tibet House, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku.
