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"STOP THE OLYMPICS TORTURE"
(Kerala, April 17, 2008)
Kerala: A Candle Light Vigil organised by Friends of Tibet, Design & People, Human Rights Law Network (Kerala), Periyar Riverkeeper, Kashi Art Gallery and World Tibet Day at the Theresa Square, Ernakulam on April 17, 2008. These organisations were protesting the ‘Olympics Torch of Shame’ which was on the Indian Soil on Thursday, April 17, 2008. (Photos: Design & People)
Voice for the Voiceless: Advocate Rashmi (Human Rights Law Network, Kerala), Geo Jose (Narmada Bachao Andolan), Yesudasan (Political Cartoonist), Appu Jacob John (Friends of Tibet) and Anoop Scaria (Kashi Art Gallery) and Jacob V Lazer (People's Union for Civil Liberties)
Indian children join Tibetan children during the Candle Light Vigil at Theresa Square on April 17, 2008.
Screening of the documentary 'Tibet's Stolen Child' (Garthwait & Griffin) and
the Beijing Olympics Protest Video by Ainu (www.ainu.pl).
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"STOP THE OLYMPICS TORTURE"
(Tamil Nadu, April 17, 2008)
Tamil Nadu: A gathering of Tibetan students and Indian supporters on April 17, 2008 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu during the Candle Light Vigil to protest the Beijing Olympics Torch. Dr MR Hubert of Friends of Tibet gave an introduction. Anto V of Friends of Tibet (Coimbatore) gave a background about the formation of Friends of Tibet and the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar of the Men-Tse-Khang and Dr Ramu Manivannan of Chennai University also spoke on the occasion.
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'Stop The Olympics Torture' poster by Design & People.
To download the poster in vector/PDF format, visit: www.designandpeople.org
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Supporting Organisations:
World Tibet Day
Design & People
Human Rights Law Network (HRLN)
Kashi Art Gallery
Swadeshi Jagran Manch
Samajwadi Jana Parishad
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"My sympathies lay with the Tibetans. I feel whats happening in Tibet is not right and in my small way I should show my solidarity."
"When I do run with the Olympics Torch on the April 17, it is not in support of China. In fact it will be with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet."
"I am totally against mixing up politics with sports. All we could do now is to participate and protest."
"I do not want to run with the torch as a caged woman. Why turn India Gate into a zoo? What is the point of running with the torch? I do not want to participate in a caged environment. If you make the environment so suffocating, then it is better to let the torch travel on wheels or with the Army."
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Aamir Khan's Open Letter on Olympics Torch Relay
Dear all,
I would like to state that I have the highest regard and respect for the struggle that the people of Tibet are going through. I completely empathize with them. Similarly, I have the highest respect and regard for the struggle that the people of Iraq, Kashmiri Pundits who have been displaced, Kashmiris in general, and the people of Palestine, are going through. I have named above just a few instances of human rights violations. Across the world, and indeed within our own country too, there are several instances and examples of atrocities and human rights violation, which are still continuing. I categorically state that I am absolutely against any form of violence, and certainly I am deeply upset whenever the basic rights of human beings are violated anywhere in the world.
However, I feel that the Olympic Games do not belong to China.
In fact if we were to try and find on this planet a place to hold the Olympic Games where the government of that place has not been responsible for human rights violations (in one way or the other), then I suspect that we would be left with very few options, if any at all. If I am not mistaken almost all societies have been responsible for human rights violation either directly or indirectly, sometimes in seen ways and sometimes in unseen ways, sometimes physically, sometimes economically.
The Olympic Games represent for me the coming together of different people across the world despite their differences and difficulties. It is an opportunity for sportsmen and women across the world to showcase their talent, to challenge themselves and others, and for others to watch and marvel at the achievements of the human body, mind and soul.
Are human rights violations continuing across the globe while all this is happening. I’m afraid so. And I hope and pray for the day that we can one day live in absolute peace and harmony, where human suffering is done away with.
I am no one to tell any group of people how they should conduct their struggle. I am not part of it and am not going through what they are going through. But my heart goes out to them.
I request those of you who have asked me to stay away from the Olympic Torch Relay to understand that when I do run with the torch on the 17th of April it is not in support of China. In fact it will be with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet, and indeed for all people across the world who are victims of human rights violations.
Sincerely.
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Torturous Torch
Shamelessly touring across the globe,
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Friends of Tibet, PO Box 16674, Bombay 400050, India.
Friends of Tibet is a people's movement to keep alive the issue of Tibet through direct action. Our activities are aimed at ending China's occupation of Tibet and the suffering of the Tibetan people. Friends of Tibet supports the continued struggle of the Tibetan people for independence.
Baichung Bhutia
(Indian football team captain Baichung Bhutia refused to
run with the flame when it reaches New Delhi on April 17, 2008)
Aamir Khan
(Aamir Khan decides to go ahead with the relay while
leaving a solidarity note with the Tibetan suffering.)
PT Usha
(Veteran athlete PT Usha made this statement during a live debate with a
Friends of Tibet Campaigner on Manorama Vision TV on April 1, 2008)
Kiran Bedi
(India's first woman IPS officer and Magsaysay award-winner Kiran Bedi while speaking to CNN-IBN.)
Over the last few days I have received several requests not to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay. Requests through members of my family, personal friends, people who are associated with the Tibetan struggle, and my blog. I have gone through and read each and every letter, message and post pertaining to this issue.
Aamir
(April 01, 2008)
(By Baldeo Pandey / baldeo.pandey@friendsoftibet.org)
A symbol of brutality, slavery and hatred,
London,
Paris,
San Francisco……
Now New Delhi…
Witnessing guillotine of democracy,
Millions hands rising in solidarity….
Consoling suffering and captive humanity,
Bald heads,
Bleeding mouths,
Handcuffed protesters….
Resolute for a Free Tibet,
What a difference……
People…..stunned and desperate to shun shameful flame,
Indifferent State, insensitive and mute to reality…..
Volcano erupted,
Oppressed cries oozing out…
No more slavery,
No more genocide,
Tibet is awakened…alert…
Torturous Torch,
A stigma on Universal Fraternity,
New Delhi, April 17, 2008….
Fortified for a 'Symbol of Free Humanity and Compassion'…
Fateful day,
Defying humanity,
Protesting shouts….
Free Tibet!
Free Tibet!
