Chinese PM met by (some) protesters, one still held by police
sil | 10.05.2004 19:39 | Oxford
The Chinese Prime Minister's was greeted by a banner, tibetan prayer flags and leaflets when he came to look at the Oxford Chemistry lab today. One protestor attempted to run out in front of the cars as they drove in, but was brutally jumped on by the police almost right away.
The Prime Minister arrived at the Chemistry Buildings just after 4, and he was greeted both by 30-40 chinese people and a small group of protestors, some from the Oxford University Tibet Society. A banner said "1000 000 million dead tibetans are too many - free tenzin delek rinpoche", and leaflets saying "shame on china" were handed out (although not received very happily by the chinese people present). Tenzin Delek Rinpoche is a tibetan teacher and lama who is being held as a political prisoner, and without any fair trial he is about to be executed. (more info on www.tibet.org) The protestors aimed to raise awareness of Tenzin Delek particularly, as a part of international campaigns to stop the execution and give him a fair trial, but also on human rights abuses in China in general.
There was quite a lot of police, and they were holding people back as the cars drove in. One man managed to get out into the road before the police jumped on him, handcuffed him and carried him away. There was some disruption caused by this, and the media there were taking pictures and interviewed people afterwards. He is still being held by the police in St.Aldates - we are waiting there now with a support group.
The Chinese PM was in the building for about 20 minutes, and as they came out the police were obviously careful as to not letting anyone getting near the road. The PM and his company were later seen at Christ Church, so we went there with the banner as well.
This was such an amazing opportunity for direct action, but since people did not know until some hours before there were few protestors and no planning. sad. but still, we did manage to raise the issue, talk to the chinese students, wave a banner at the PM and cause some disruption (esp. thanx to our **HERO** now sitting being bored in St. Aldates police station...
sil
e-mail:
vaniljesilje@hotmail.com
Comments
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a bit of an exaggeration...
10.05.2004 19:54
"1 000 000 dead tibetans", not "1000 0000 million dead.."
a bit too many that was.
for your information, the one million dead is estimated to be about
1/6 of total tibetan population.
sil
update
10.05.2004 21:44
.
The aftermath
10.05.2004 23:05
It's quite hard not to be somewhat disorderly when two large policemen are sitting on you
and twisting your arms behind your back....oh well.
My court appearance will be on Tuesday 18th May, 9.15 am, Oxford Magistrates Court
(Speedwell Street). Support appreciated! :)
Much love,
Matt
Matt S
Press release
11.05.2004 01:39
The Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, visited the new Chemistry Research Building on South Parks Road today (Monday 10th May). He was greeted not only by groups of Chinese students, but by protestors, highlighting the Chinese government's policy on Tibet, and calling for freedom for the so-called 'autonomous province'. As the Prime Minister pulled into the driveway of the Chemistry Building, escorted by police motorcycles, one protestor
broke through the crowds and ran towards his car. Matt Sellwood, a second year undergraduate from New College, and a candidate in the local elections for the Green Party, briefly halted the second car in the Prime Minister's motorcade, before being tackled by police, pressure pointed and handcuffed.
Sellwood commented: "The Chinese government is responsible for a vicious policy of repression in Tibet, which has killed over a million people since the invasion in 1950. The authoritarian nature of the Chinese state is well known, and yet Tony Blair and the authorities of Oxford University are content to welcome its Prime Minister with open arms. Not a word has been spoken about the plight of the Tibetan people. My actions today were intended to cause disruption to this man's visit; to let him know that even if our Prime Minister is too cowardly to raise these issues, some people in Britain will not let them be forgotten."
Sellwood was bailed from St Aldate's police station, on the condition that he not approach any Chinese government property or the person of the Chinese Prime Minister until his court date. He will face charges under Section 5 of the Public Order Act on Tuesday 18th May, at 9.15 am in Oxford Magistrates Court.
osan list
leaflet text
11.05.2004 14:02
SHAME on CHINA!
Stop the injustice in Tibet!
Wen,
Will you free Tibet?
We call on Wen Jiabao to resume the official talk with the Tibetan government in exile.
-------- back ---------
The Oxford Student Tibet Society
About the society:
-We are an independently student run and funded society which campaigns to raise awareness for the Tibetan situation by holding speaker events, cultural evenings and letter writing campaigns.
-Recent events have included a talk from members of the Gu Chu Sum movement of former political prisoners
Some facts about Tibet:
-Since its invasion and occupation in 1949/50 by the People's Republic of China more than 1.2 million Tibetans have lost their lives.
-Over 120,000 Tibetans now live in exile.
-Tibetans still living in their native country suffer religious persecution, consistent violations of human rights, and the wholesale destruction of religious and historic buildings.
What you can do:
-Why not join the OSTS? To receive regular updates about forthcoming events, to get involved in organising campaigns and events or to inquire about giving donations or fund-raising please email:
jamie.gaw at st-hughs.ox.ac.uk
There is no membership fee.
-----------------------
jimmy the fish
Bloody protestors...
16.05.2004 19:34
I'm fed up with you protestors, Owen English et al, thinking you can change the bloody world, you can't change a thing.
Ravi
stop ya moaning
16.05.2004 23:47
Why not at least let us try?
Hey, if YOU can't be arsed to try and make a difference to the world, at least don't whinge at those who do....
Or maybe our 'antics' make you uncomfortable with your own inactive complicity?
Just a thought :)
fisher of jim
What protesting achieves
17.05.2004 10:01
But in the end, it's not just the success rate that matters. Consciously trying to live ethically and oppose injustice is good for you, and good for those around you.
spanner
Introduction to the Tibetan Photo Project
18.05.2004 02:50
Lobsant Topgayl photo.
Through a collection of their own photos they are creating another voice to tell their story. Please give a visit and consider helping to grow this effort by passing along the Website in any way you can, including links and signatures to your emails.
Visually and respectfully, Joe Mickey
First time visitors should visit the Media coverage page and the founders statement and update page
The first collection of photos taken by Tibetans living in exile in India is creating a voice through media coverage and two exhibits of the Tibetan Photo Project.
The Tibetan Photo Project offers the first collection of photos taken by Tibetans living in exile, images of the Dalai Lama, informational texts and rare 1932 pictures of Tibet.
The perspective provided from the modern history of Tibet and China reveals a great deal about the nature of China's future leadership. The lessons have become even more relevant with the rise to power by Hu Jintao, China's former hardline secretary to Tibet.
Visit
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For a brief education at the site,
Please have a look at
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Crap is useless
27.10.2004 15:51
I'm a Chinese who is sick of evil CCP and welcome all the anti-CCPs, but if you don't know China, how do you think of and know those things happening in China properly?
watcher