| Wisconsin Tibetans march to commemorate 1959 Uprising |
the basic demands for representation by Tibetans in the administration of Tibet and for the religious freedom that Tibetans enjoyed before the
Chinese invaded Tibet, have been repeatedly turned down. How big is that? We’re just asking for basic human rights! They’re not even
willing to negotiate. So we wanted governments outside of Tibet to kindly pressure China to come to the negotiating table to seriously
resolve the Tibetan problem. China will benefit from this because they will have a happier people with more freedom in their homeland,
while they still control the country.”
Sangha also expressed concern over the influx of Han Chinese to Tibet, as several trainloads arrive every day to Lhasa from mainland
China to settle. “There is now the Chinese policy of consistently, constantly and relentlessly populating Tibet with Han Chinese people,” he
said in no uncertain terms. “They give them incentives to go to Tibet, such as bonuses and money to start their businesses, and one
purpose behind this, is to totally wipe out the people of Tibet. This is what we’ve been telling the Chinese government; we don’t want this;
this has to stop! Tibetans should be the majority people in Tibet, but now, Tibetans have become the minority in their own land.”
While the prospect for a peaceful negotiation seems blurred at the moment, Sangha still hopes that it will change as soon as China’s
leadership changes into a more democratic one. “When that happens, we believe that a new leadership may change heart, that they will be
willing to listen to Tibetans, as an ethnic group, and that they would allow some form of rights as human beings. We look forward to that kind
of change in the government.”
The realization of this hope is possible with the help of democratic nations across the globe, to influence the change. “Under communist
rule, that isn’t possible,” he said.
Sangha also believes that if Tibetans will be allowed to rule themselves and have freedom to practice their religion, there is no reason
why Tibetans who live in other countries wouldn’t want to go back to Tibet. “If that happens, we will be happy to go back to our homeland.
That is where we came from.”
During the program, Sangha expressed his profound gratitude to the State of Wisconsin and its people, particularly State legislators
Spencer Black and Joe Parisi, and representatives of U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who were
present at the gathering on the Capitol steps.
Spencer Black said, “People have the right to live and worship according to their traditions and beliefs. It is something that resonates
here with the people of Wisconsin. Our state of Wisconsin has always been a beacon for freedom, ever since statehood. And the struggle of
the Tibetan people is a struggle for freedom, a struggle that the people of Wisconsin and the world understand as a desire for basic human
right.” He also spoke about a special day in the State Assembly on March 4, where they welcomed the singing of both the Tibetan National
Anthem and the United States Anthem, a gesture of support for local Tibetans.
“We sympathize, support, and show solidarity with the desire of the people from Tibet and across the world for a free Tibet,” State Rep.
Black said.
For his part, State Rep. Joe Parisi said, “What a special occasion it was to have the Tibetan National Anthem sung in the chambers right
behind me. It meant a lot to everyone who was there. … It’s just an echo of what’s happening across the nation and across the globe today,
as people step up and recognize March 10, to recognize Tibetan Uprising Day. And the Chinese government is not happy about this. As you
know, I’ve been personally visited by the Chinese Consulate saying they don’t like that we do this. They also went to Portland and told them
to back away from recognizing the Tibetan cause. And just as we in Wisconsin had said NO, Portland said No, and people are standing up
across the globe because your cause is just, and your cause is right, and a great injustice has been done to Tibet and the people of Tibet.
China tries to silence your cause, but we are here today to let China know that you can’t be silenced. And that the people of Tibet and your
friends across the globe will not give up until justice is done with the Tibetan cause. Sometimes it’s frustrating; sometimes it’s difficult to
keep going in the face of the brutality that occurs, but we have to recognize that every day, more and more people are stepping up to
recognize the cause of Tibet, and that we will not lose because we will not give up.”
Katie Crawley, representing U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, read Feingold’s prepared statement as follows:
“I’m honored to be invited to this event, recognizing the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan national uprising. Today we remember the
historic day in 1959 when hundreds of thousands of Tibetans risked their lives to protest the political, cultural and religious oppression,
which Tibetans in Tibet continue to face today. This event honors the Tibetan people’s perseverance and their continued pursuit of their
fundamental human rights, including the freedom to practice their religion, to preserve their culture, and to think in their own language. I
thank you for these efforts to raise awareness of this ongoing struggle, as you mark this important day.”
Brett Watson read a message from U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin’s office, part of which says, “ Today,more than ever, after 51 years of
oppression, we come together to ask for a peaceful, non-violent agreement between the people of Tibet and China. I support the Middle-
Way approach proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to honor the dignity of both Tibetan and Chinese people and to promote a respectful
solution. I strongly believe that the United States has a responsibility to stand up for human rights and the rule of law, and I support efforts to
address the plight of Tibetans.”
Baldwin informed the audience that she voted for the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410), which included language to direct
the U.S. Consulate to promote the Tibetan-Chinese dialogue, and that she is one of the six cosponsors of legislation to provide 3,000
immigrant visas to qualified Tibetans.
“I am deeply concerned about the harassment, arbitrary arrests, and suppression of Tibetan political prisoners communicating about the
current situation,” Baldwin added in her statement.
In addition to the above remarks, the event’s highlights included a reading of the Governor’s Proclamation, proclaiming March 10, 2010
as “Tibet Day,” a reading of the statement of the Dalai Lama , guest speakers from the Tibetan community, and the singing of “Dentsig
Monlam” prayer song.
The fog and the cold gradually diminished, so it seemed, as the Tibetans and their friends gathered to speak a single voice, creating a
warm reverb throughout the Capitol.
Chinese invaded Tibet, have been repeatedly turned down. How big is that? We’re just asking for basic human rights! They’re not even
willing to negotiate. So we wanted governments outside of Tibet to kindly pressure China to come to the negotiating table to seriously
resolve the Tibetan problem. China will benefit from this because they will have a happier people with more freedom in their homeland,
while they still control the country.”
Sangha also expressed concern over the influx of Han Chinese to Tibet, as several trainloads arrive every day to Lhasa from mainland
China to settle. “There is now the Chinese policy of consistently, constantly and relentlessly populating Tibet with Han Chinese people,” he
said in no uncertain terms. “They give them incentives to go to Tibet, such as bonuses and money to start their businesses, and one
purpose behind this, is to totally wipe out the people of Tibet. This is what we’ve been telling the Chinese government; we don’t want this;
this has to stop! Tibetans should be the majority people in Tibet, but now, Tibetans have become the minority in their own land.”
While the prospect for a peaceful negotiation seems blurred at the moment, Sangha still hopes that it will change as soon as China’s
leadership changes into a more democratic one. “When that happens, we believe that a new leadership may change heart, that they will be
willing to listen to Tibetans, as an ethnic group, and that they would allow some form of rights as human beings. We look forward to that kind
of change in the government.”
The realization of this hope is possible with the help of democratic nations across the globe, to influence the change. “Under communist
rule, that isn’t possible,” he said.
Sangha also believes that if Tibetans will be allowed to rule themselves and have freedom to practice their religion, there is no reason
why Tibetans who live in other countries wouldn’t want to go back to Tibet. “If that happens, we will be happy to go back to our homeland.
That is where we came from.”
During the program, Sangha expressed his profound gratitude to the State of Wisconsin and its people, particularly State legislators
Spencer Black and Joe Parisi, and representatives of U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who were
present at the gathering on the Capitol steps.
Spencer Black said, “People have the right to live and worship according to their traditions and beliefs. It is something that resonates
here with the people of Wisconsin. Our state of Wisconsin has always been a beacon for freedom, ever since statehood. And the struggle of
the Tibetan people is a struggle for freedom, a struggle that the people of Wisconsin and the world understand as a desire for basic human
right.” He also spoke about a special day in the State Assembly on March 4, where they welcomed the singing of both the Tibetan National
Anthem and the United States Anthem, a gesture of support for local Tibetans.
“We sympathize, support, and show solidarity with the desire of the people from Tibet and across the world for a free Tibet,” State Rep.
Black said.
For his part, State Rep. Joe Parisi said, “What a special occasion it was to have the Tibetan National Anthem sung in the chambers right
behind me. It meant a lot to everyone who was there. … It’s just an echo of what’s happening across the nation and across the globe today,
as people step up and recognize March 10, to recognize Tibetan Uprising Day. And the Chinese government is not happy about this. As you
know, I’ve been personally visited by the Chinese Consulate saying they don’t like that we do this. They also went to Portland and told them
to back away from recognizing the Tibetan cause. And just as we in Wisconsin had said NO, Portland said No, and people are standing up
across the globe because your cause is just, and your cause is right, and a great injustice has been done to Tibet and the people of Tibet.
China tries to silence your cause, but we are here today to let China know that you can’t be silenced. And that the people of Tibet and your
friends across the globe will not give up until justice is done with the Tibetan cause. Sometimes it’s frustrating; sometimes it’s difficult to
keep going in the face of the brutality that occurs, but we have to recognize that every day, more and more people are stepping up to
recognize the cause of Tibet, and that we will not lose because we will not give up.”
Katie Crawley, representing U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, read Feingold’s prepared statement as follows:
“I’m honored to be invited to this event, recognizing the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan national uprising. Today we remember the
historic day in 1959 when hundreds of thousands of Tibetans risked their lives to protest the political, cultural and religious oppression,
which Tibetans in Tibet continue to face today. This event honors the Tibetan people’s perseverance and their continued pursuit of their
fundamental human rights, including the freedom to practice their religion, to preserve their culture, and to think in their own language. I
thank you for these efforts to raise awareness of this ongoing struggle, as you mark this important day.”
Brett Watson read a message from U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin’s office, part of which says, “ Today,more than ever, after 51 years of
oppression, we come together to ask for a peaceful, non-violent agreement between the people of Tibet and China. I support the Middle-
Way approach proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to honor the dignity of both Tibetan and Chinese people and to promote a respectful
solution. I strongly believe that the United States has a responsibility to stand up for human rights and the rule of law, and I support efforts to
address the plight of Tibetans.”
Baldwin informed the audience that she voted for the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410), which included language to direct
the U.S. Consulate to promote the Tibetan-Chinese dialogue, and that she is one of the six cosponsors of legislation to provide 3,000
immigrant visas to qualified Tibetans.
“I am deeply concerned about the harassment, arbitrary arrests, and suppression of Tibetan political prisoners communicating about the
current situation,” Baldwin added in her statement.
In addition to the above remarks, the event’s highlights included a reading of the Governor’s Proclamation, proclaiming March 10, 2010
as “Tibet Day,” a reading of the statement of the Dalai Lama , guest speakers from the Tibetan community, and the singing of “Dentsig
Monlam” prayer song.
The fog and the cold gradually diminished, so it seemed, as the Tibetans and their friends gathered to speak a single voice, creating a
warm reverb throughout the Capitol.
| WTA Pres.Thubten Sangha calls on China to go back to the negotiating table with Tibetans and stop the entry of Han Chinese to Tibet. |
By Heidi M. Pascual.
March 10, 2010 was another foggy and cold
day in Wisconsin, which would usually keep
Wisconsinites indoors, considering also the air-
pollution alert that Dane County has issued for a
couple days in a row. But Tibetans of Wisconsin,
about a hundred of them, men, women, and
children, marched the whole stretch of State
Street and encircled the Capitol building,
shouting and chanting over and over:
“Tibet belongs to Tibetans!”
“Free the Penchun Lama now!”
“Stop the killings now!”
“China! China! China!”
“Out! Out! Out!”
“Freedom for Tibet!”
It was a special and historical day for
Tibetans, both in Tibet and all over the world. It
was the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan National
Uprising against China’s invasion on March 10,
1959, which eventually led to the forced exile of
the current Dalai Lama to India. While the
turnout in Wisconsin was relatively low this
year, hundreds of Tibetans from the State joined
the Midwest march and rally in Chicago on the
same day, to protest in front of the Chinese
Consulate.
Every year since about 400 Tibetans settled in
Wisconsin in the early 1990s, this annual event
has been commemorated through marches and
rallies. And with the active advocacy of the
Wisconsin Tibetan Association leadership, many
Wisconsin officials, university students, and
community leaders have supported the Tibetan
cause. Wisconsin has welcomed the frequent
visits of His Holiness The Dalai Lama with open
arms and warm hospitality. Wisconsin is also
the home of Deer Park Buddhist Temple, an
imposing spiritual and educational center whose
architectural design echoes a traditional temple
in
Tibet.
In an interview with Asian Wisconzine, WTA
President Thubten Sangha described the
March 10, 2010 was another foggy and cold
day in Wisconsin, which would usually keep
Wisconsinites indoors, considering also the air-
pollution alert that Dane County has issued for a
couple days in a row. But Tibetans of Wisconsin,
about a hundred of them, men, women, and
children, marched the whole stretch of State
Street and encircled the Capitol building,
shouting and chanting over and over:
“Tibet belongs to Tibetans!”
“Free the Penchun Lama now!”
“Stop the killings now!”
“China! China! China!”
“Out! Out! Out!”
“Freedom for Tibet!”
It was a special and historical day for
Tibetans, both in Tibet and all over the world. It
was the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan National
Uprising against China’s invasion on March 10,
1959, which eventually led to the forced exile of
the current Dalai Lama to India. While the
turnout in Wisconsin was relatively low this
year, hundreds of Tibetans from the State joined
the Midwest march and rally in Chicago on the
same day, to protest in front of the Chinese
Consulate.
Every year since about 400 Tibetans settled in
Wisconsin in the early 1990s, this annual event
has been commemorated through marches and
rallies. And with the active advocacy of the
Wisconsin Tibetan Association leadership, many
Wisconsin officials, university students, and
community leaders have supported the Tibetan
cause. Wisconsin has welcomed the frequent
visits of His Holiness The Dalai Lama with open
arms and warm hospitality. Wisconsin is also
the home of Deer Park Buddhist Temple, an
imposing spiritual and educational center whose
architectural design echoes a traditional temple
in
Tibet.
In an interview with Asian Wisconzine, WTA
President Thubten Sangha described the
| Wis. State Representatives Joe Parici (above) and Spencer Black (below) expressed their support for Tibet's cause. |
significance of March 10 in the lives of the Tibetan people. “We are gathered here today to commemorate the
1959 Tibetan uprising and remember those who sacrificed their lives to free Tibetans from Chinese rule,”
Sangha said. “But more importantly, we would like the world and China to bring about a peaceful resolution to
this conflict, something that is beneficial to both the Chinese and Tibetan people. We have requested the state
and the federal government to pressure China to come to the table, and the Chinese government has allowed
a Tibetan delegation to come to China, but nothing constructive ever happened. The Chinese government has
always disagreed with everything Tibetans requested. We’re not even asking for independence, but still, even
1959 Tibetan uprising and remember those who sacrificed their lives to free Tibetans from Chinese rule,”
Sangha said. “But more importantly, we would like the world and China to bring about a peaceful resolution to
this conflict, something that is beneficial to both the Chinese and Tibetan people. We have requested the state
and the federal government to pressure China to come to the table, and the Chinese government has allowed
a Tibetan delegation to come to China, but nothing constructive ever happened. The Chinese government has
always disagreed with everything Tibetans requested. We’re not even asking for independence, but still, even