UPDATE 8/8 12pm Eastern: We’ve received a quick call from Lhadon saying that she, Paul, and the “Great Wall 6″ were being put on a plane to Hong Kong. We have no official word at this point. As this is Lhadon’s blog, we hope the next post up here will be from her, somewhere safe and sound. Stay tuned.
****
SFT staff: We recorded this video from a live skype videoconference with Paul and Lhadon at an Internet cafe about a day ago. They thought at the time they were going to be picked up by one of the thirty “minders” (aka plain clothes security agents) outside. They were able to return Tuesday evening to their hotel without incident.
Unfortunately, at about 2pm on Wednesday in Beijing, Lhadon and Paul (who has been accompanying her during this trip), were picked up by uniformed Chinese police and taken for questioning to a local police station. At this point, we haven’t heard from them since a text message sent by Lhadon confirmed this shortly after their detainment.
Please keep Paul and Lhadon and the other Tibet activists detained in Beijing - Sam, Mel, Leslie, Nupur, Duane, and Pete - in your thoughts, and continue to spread the word about this blog.
We will provide more information here as it’s available to us, as well as ways for you to take action. For now, if you feel moved by the work that Lhadon and Paul have been doing, please participate today in the August 8th International Day of Action or consider donating to SFT’s Olympic Action Fund.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2007
Contact: Kate Woznow (Hong Kong) + 852 657-34874
Tenzin Dorjee (New York) +1 917-304-4571
TIBETAN-CANADIAN OBSERVER DETAINED IN BEIJING HOURS BEFORE OLYMPICS COUNTDOWN CELEBRATION
Hong Kong - On the day of the one-year countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Lhadon Tethong, a prominent Tibetan independence activist and the Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet, was detained in Beijing. Ms. Tethong was picked up by Chinese authorities together with her colleague Paul Golding, a long-time advocate of Tibetan freedom, and taken to a Beijing police station.
For the past seven days, Ms. Tethong, a Tibetan-Canadian, has been traveling in Beijing, openly blogging at www.BeijingWideOpen.org to expose the reality behind China’s propaganda campaign surrounding the Olympic Games. She and Mr. Golding have been under heavy scrutiny from Chinese authorities, followed at all times by several vehicles as well as plainclothes security officers on foot. This number increased to 30 plainclothes followers after a protest by six activists from Students for a Free Tibet yesterday on China’s Great Wall.
“At the very moment that China is proclaiming Olympic ideals of peace and humanity, it has turned around and silenced Ms. Tethong and Mr. Golding for nothing more than freely expressing their views on the Beijing Olympics and Tibet,” said Tenzin Dorjee, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “The Chinese government’s detention of these observers during the one-year countdown exposes the blatant propaganda behind China’s efforts to promote an image of itself as a free and open society.”
Tethong and Golding’s abrupt detention comes just hours before tens of thousands of people, including national Olympic Association delegates and members of the International Olympic Committee, are gathering in Tiananmen Square for the official countdown celebration. Chinese authorities have not responded to requests by relevant embassies of the six Tibet activists detained on Tuesday for unfurling a 450-square foot banner reading “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008″ in English and Chinese. The whereabouts of the six activists are still unknown.
Tibetans and supporters around the world – from New Delhi to Rome to Ottawa to New York – are holding protests today to mark the countdown, calling on China for a resolution to its occupation of Tibet by August 2008.
*******
Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) is a network of young people and activists campaigning for Tibetan independence, with 650 chapters in more than thirty countries worldwide. SFT is based in New York, with offices in Vancouver, London, and Dharamsala, India. www.studentsforafreetibet.org.
Não desistam nunca de lutar pela liberdade de um povo, sigam em frente. Boa sorte!
Detained for no reason.
China is not a free society. I hope every reader of this blog remembers that while they await for updates. Free societies do not detain people without cause. And speech is NEVER a crime.
Lhadon, Paul, Pete, Duane, Leslie, Mel, Nupur & Sam — your actions in the name of freedom are an inspiration to all of us.
Thank you all the SFTers for undertaking this awesome action. You inspire !
You are all in our thoughts and prayers !!!
Hope you will be released today or tomorrow.
Lhadon and peace warriors, you have all my support.
Thanks for your courage and inspiration.
We follow you and hope you’ll be soon released.
May the heart of all peoples understand our dream for 2008…
The banner on the Great Wall also just got a mention on CNN’s website’s headline story 9well it was when this was posted)- pretty good.
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/08/08/olympics.beijing.reut/index.html
Thanks to Lhadon and everyone else- what you guys did was amazing!
[...] Quote from the press release: [...]
Today at the rallies, we should scream for Lhadon, Paul and the 6 banner activists immediate release. Enough is enough. The message should be forceful, not diplomatic. In NYC, I suggest the rally stops by the NYTimes, and insist it follows up on the story. There are many journalistic angles to SFT’s efforts: China, Human Rights, IOC, Sports (Olympics), and New Media. The failure of big media to report on the Tibetan issue, the boycott of the Olympics, and the Human rights situation in China is a terrible burden to the tibetan freedom movement.
[...] video, has now been arrested by the Chinese government. Here is Lhadon’s Beijing blog, her final blog entry and final YouTube video before she was arrested. Lets hope the Canadian government will gain access [...]
活该, 西藏是中国的领土, 你没事吃饱了撑的. 想出名啊? 自找苦吃. period
What a fucking attention grabber. Stop living in the past and move to the presence/future. If you really want to do some fucking good then go to Iraq and stage some protest. But that’s right, we bitch and whine when we can and a chicken shit when we can’t. Face the reality, Tibet will never be free… go do something else useful for society.
14 minutes ago, this heart-soothing news appeared in Toronto’s leading online edtion of Toronto Star:
China releases Canadian activists
Aug 08, 2007 11:39 AM
Daniel Dale
Staff Reporter
Eight Tibet independence activists detained in China this week — including three Canadians — have been released, a spokesperson for their group said this morning.
“We just had a call from Lhadon Tethong, the one who was detained last night, saying they were all being put on a plane to Hong Kong,” said Freya Putt of Students For a Free Tibet. “We’re not counting on it until we actually see them on that plane, but we should know for sure in about three hours.”
Three Canadians were among those held by Chinese authorities. Vancouver’s Melanie Raoul, 25, and Sam Price, 32, were detained yesterday after they unfurled a banner reading “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008” at the Great Wall of China.
Victoria-born Tethong, 31, is Students for a Free Tibet’s executive director. She was detained early today in Beijing after she was spotted recording video and audio at Olympic venues and Tiananmen Square.
_____
Good job guys…
Enjoy the Hospitality of the Chinese prison system.
Are you really that stupid?
Seems So… Went to another country, Tried to Agitate & now Suffer.
You can’t even “Protest” in the USA anymore without being called a “terrorist” & you thought you do better with the idea of using Chinas well known Great wall as a way to get your point across?
Ozzy osborne.. In a drunkin fit pissed on the wall of the Alamo and got arrested.
Pull the Tigers tail at one’s OWN Risk and don’t whine when It bites you OR..
Mess with National Monuments, Pay the Price
I wholeheartedly thanks for doing great jobs in the Wall of China. Clicking such ideas is awesome! You all are really the light of inspiration for Tibetan people. I think all the Tibetan people too feel the same for you guys.
Tashi Delek & Bhoe Gyal Lo!!!
Duh, 4th Horseman, don’t you think they of all people understood what they were doing and what they were up against? A free Tibet is worth a couple of hours of detention, wouldn’t you say? I don’t think they dare mess with her because they want those games in the worst way.
Be safe Lhadon, Paul and the Freedom Banner leaders! Any exposure to the ongoing occupation is a positive move for Tibet. I await the update stating you are all safe.
Namaste
This Indian-Canadian girl Lhadon is not worthy to represent Tibetans. She’s not a real Tibetan. Anyone can see with their own eyes. Real Tibetans would spit in her face if she tried to make those claims in China.
Hey, there “Real Tibetan” in truth, I think you are a “Real Jerk”, and thats speaking kindly. Please explain to us here how you are a real Tibetan? What constitutes “real” in your small mind - someone who has Chinese citizenship? That doesn’t make much sense to me.
I’m sure Lhadon and her ancestors would have been very happy to have lived their entire lives inside of free and sovereign Tibet, but the Chinese government would not allow that.
Finally, I went to http://tibet.cn since that is where you email address is at ([email protected] - what are you, some sort of European fashion model?). I saw no mention of the news about these protests, about Lhadon’s blog, about the protestors in Litang, the hunger strikers in Dehli, or Tenzin Delek Rinpoche… then I remembered, Tibet.cn is a Chinese website, and you aren’t allowed to publish that sort of news, right?
So, I guess a REAL Tibetan is one who likes Tibetan websites that are censored and controlled by the Chinese government in Beijing. I truly understand now what you mean.
So, next time I am in Tibet (where I have been and spoken with Tibetans), I will send you an email to your pretty email address, and then we can meet in the Johkang Square, and you know what, I’d be happy to have you spit in my face. I wouldn’t even do anything in return, I would turn the other cheek, just because I know how sad and troubled you are inside.
In the future, if you plan to make similiar types of protest in China, better becareful not to do it in front of Chinese citizens (Tibetans) included) because they will beat you up. You were lucky this time that no one was there and police show up first.
Naive idiots!
You’re lucky they didn’t imprison you…everybody knows the kind of people the Chinese admin are there…!!! what did you expect?
Ooooh!!!… big deal a bunch of vacuous, western spoiled brats from the suburbs egged on by their ridiculously naive parents paint a “come get me” bullseye on their backs …pathetic. And to NO end at all.
I knew the Chicago Eight and believe me these idiots are no Chicago Eight who at least had collective intelligence.
The Canadian government should bill their families for the expense involved.
Many prayers and blessings to Lhadon, Paul and the others. You’ve done a wonderful job and will surely continue to do so in whatever way presents itself.
As for the detractors who have suddenly popped up here, you might want to look up the term “civil disobedience” or read a little Gandhi to broaden your perspective.
Yes, there are many problems. They all need attention. Pick one. SFT has taken an important stand and their work is of great benefit to all…. everywhere. - Camis
Baloney!
They are naive idiots.
Kevin Lee writes:
“活该, 西藏是中国的领土, 你没事吃饱了撑的. 想出名啊? 自找苦吃”
Translation:
Gets what one deserves, Tibet is China’s territory, you were all right eat to the full have supported Wants to become famous? Invites trouble.
I think it’s ridiculous for people to contend that the activists were naive and foolish in their quest to bring attention to the Tibetan issue through protesting in China. People need to really think what it means to be a non-violent movement. In this type of movement, BOB, one has to consider every tactic that could lead to negotiations or awareness. It’s not a violent movement you moronic imbecile. I, like many imperfect people on this earth, sometimes feel violence should be the way (because people like BOB don’t get non-violence…they prefer Iraq as that imbecile suggested), but Tibetans and the Dalai Lama have been bigger than that. Props to you folk.
Bob, I think people said the same thing about the move for Indian independence and Gandhi’s tactics during that time. They were wrong. Here’s hoping you are wrong too.
Berlin Wall, Solidarity were successful and peaceful.
If this movement is naive, I’m not bothered by that. As a ’sophisticated’ Westerner, this naivete helps confirm that maybe, just maybe not everyone is a self-centered asshole.
Haha! Bob why dont you give up your western passport and live in a dictatorship, maybe you will change your mind about who is an idiot or not.
If navie idiots = people who believe in freedom of speech self-determination and human rights for the tibetan people, then I am also an idiot.
Actually that would make all 6 million tibetans idiots. Hmm…
And what about all the other nations who regained their independence or some sort of self-governance(real autonomy)..
Are they also idiots??
Saw broadcast on UK tv news this evening with Lladon being interviewed - The world will never forget about the Tibetan’s - China the world is watching you !
Lhadon, Paul, great job!!
You have been such an inspiriration.
I am praying for you both. I am hoping that you two will be able to come back, and read this comment as soon as possible. You have all my support. Tibet will be free.
I guess the fact that your uncle is the most senior advisor to H.H. the Dalai Lama has nothing to do with your passion. We could use those dollars to help the homeless at home or in Iraq/Afghanistan. That is what Buddhism is really about isn’t it? Now it morphed to politics… sad! Dalai Lama is no different than the Pope… another figure head to control the masses.
This blog and Lhadon’s actions are about freedom and self-determination, not sure where you got the Buddism thing from, Wilson Wong.
You rock guys, China is worried.
What a bold and inspiring action by two courageous activists; not to mention the simultaneous action on the Great Wall! SFT has clearly proven itself to be an organization that puts words into action, all for a Free Tibet.
Everyone who has been following Lhadon’s amazing blog, should show their support by DONATING MONEY TO SFT. Strategic actions like these require money to fund. So if you support what SFT is doing and want to see more smart, effective non-violent direct actions leading up to the 2008 Olympics, then DONATE $ to help FUND THESE AMAZING ACTIONS.
Let’s not be passive by just reading the news headlines about the actions. Rather, let’s show our support and our desire for more actions by helping to fund them!
Join me by donating now to SFT: http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=5
They ARE naive idiots.
If they think they’re making ANY difference whatsoever to a totalitarianism like the PRC or helping the people of Tibet, they are sadly mistaken.
I believe in “freedom of speech self-determination and human rights for ALL people” but this vacuous, egocentric personal aggrandizement of all these airhead, suburban ‘American Idol’ idiots who want to be “famous” on TV (lol!!)and think they are reliving the 1960s with NONE of the 1960s intelligence, are also sadly mistaken.
The Canadian government SHOULD charge their parents for the expenses incurred in getting them out of a situation they knowingly created.
Paul, Lhadon la, Pete and the rest,
x
Great job guys!! Awesome!! You did what you set out to do and included Tibet and human rights in the world’s media coverage of the Beijing Olympics countdown. You have been a huge inspiration. Perhaps what some of the more narrow minded commenters on here are forgetting, is that there is no legitimate way to protest the abominations of suffering inflicted daily on the Tibetan nation and her people. The international community and the IOC have been content to overlook one of the most brutal regimes in recent history and grant the honour of the Olympic Games to this country. Lhadon and friends have protested and reported to the world this immoral decision, in a manner which hurts no-one. The commitment of these people in the face of a regime we know is capable of inhuman atrocities, shows the Chinese government that Tibet has not and will not be forgotten. In an age of violence, this action was not anti-China, but was designed to help ensure the 2008 Olympics take place in a country with a human rights record worthy of such an honour. If you know a better way to draw attention to Tibet, Bob etc, perhaps you could let them know. After all, they seem to have got your attention.
Free Tibet and a just and harmonious China!
Paul - I look forward to buying you a drink soon
Dear Wilson Wong,
Please don’t bring up United States’ occupation of Iraq when we talk about Tibet. If I say: I oppose US occupation of Iraq, will you say you oppose China’s occupation of Tibet?
Don’t let the anger and irritation just because some westerners are criticizing your China, cloud your objective mind. You know China better than me, but I know about the situation in Tibet better than you.
However, you can educate yourself about Tibet from different reliable sources, both Chinese, Tibetan and Western.
Here is a good book written by a chinese author who lives in Beijing: “Sky Burial: The fate of Tibet” (1998). According to one chinese blogger, this book was on the bookshelf of Zhao Ziyang.
http://gangjanba.googlepages.com/SkyBurial-wang.doc
http://www.sino.uni-heidelberg.de/dachs/volland050314.htm
I know your journey will be painful..
Best wishes,
A Tibetan friend
It’s appalling to me how such negativity can seep into a space dedicated to such a self-less act. As a good friend of Paul’s, I was upset to read about his detainment, but also proud that he is doing what he believes in. Supporting a cause that does matter. It’s difficult to live in a world where violence is seen as a solution. Non-violent communication/protest is generally ignored in our society; but why is that? Why should violence be the only way to make a change? Whether you are Tibetan or Chinese, the human rights abuses in China are atrocious. As a fellow human rights activist myself, I stand behind both Lhadon and Paul and pray for their safety.
Lhadon-la and all the SFT Activists - your courage is an inspiration to us all - thugjeche! Wishing you a safe return home and future successes!
And yes, as Pema D says above, it’s time for us all to lend our support by donating to the work of SFT.
Rangzen! Rangzen! Rangzen!
I propose a solution to the verbal bickering at hand. A new group, a sub-group, a dada group called Idiots For Human Rights. Would that appease the detractors?
Idiots Unite!
For peace, freedom, justice, food, shelter, and hope throughout the world. Call me what you will. And I know homeless people and I help them. And I know disabled people (I am one myself) and I help to the extent that I can. It will always be true that if you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem. Now can we get back to the subject at hand here, and support the global cause of Human Rights?
Camis - Berkeley Graduate - Fulbright Scholar - Writer - Experienced - Not Naive.
Paul, Lhadon, Sam, Mel, Leslie, Nupur, Duane, and Pete - you are all in our thoughts and prayers. On behalf of 6 Million Tibetans inside Tibet, we thank you from the bottom of our heart.
Tibet will be free soon. It is just a matter of time. Truth and justice will prevail ultimately. Communism will be defeated and today 08/08/07 is the countdown to the disintegration of People’s Republic of China.
Bod Rangzen !
this is for Comment from Kevin Lee Time: August 8, 2007, 8:46 am
I don’t want to now past very much beucaseu right now in China or Tibet dose not have human right. we want china will improve human right. I don’t support Free Tibet but I but Lhadon has the right to fight for free Tibet.
These 8 people weren’t naive, they knew exactly what they were doing and I admire them all for speaking out for people who have great difficulty speaking out themselves. The Olympics give us a great opportunity to highlight abuses in China and campaign for the rights of Tibetans to decide their own future. Well done Lhadon and Paul for doing this!
ROTFL!!!
Naive idiots!
Great stuff, Paul! Come see us again and tell us about it all.
In the meantime, we are thinking of you all, and hope you are safe and in good spirits.
You are an inspiration to others for action in the lead up to the Olympics.
Free Tibet, eh? Keep it up activists - Recruit. Remember: No Sacrifice, No Victory!
To Fourth Horseman
May be you should be in Iraq, Palestine or China where you could be beheaded, killed by suicide bomb or a shot on the back of you head- fall straight in to hole dug by yourself or your family, perhaps then you and your Commie PRC govt would appreciate the beauty non violance direct action.
Bod Rangen !
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! erctbmfhur
You don’t even fucking know the history of Tibet, you fucking bitch!
Of course China doesn’t allow freedom of speech. It is a communist country. Its also a free society but not in a way you used to.
If you want to free Tibet then why don’t you go to China and do it? Tibet freedom depend on the Chinese decisions and no one else. If you can’t even get the free Chinese in Taiwan, hong kong, Singapore, and Macau to support you then what made you think you will get the 1.3 billion other Chinese to free Tibet? LMAO
I was one of the protester in 1989 and now I”m living in the West. I will never support a Free Tibet or support the Dalai Lama. I”m sorry I don’t support slave owner and hypocrisy. I only support democracy in China.
The should have left Paul Whitticase in Beijing and done all Tibetan a favour