Despite this minor setback, we went ahead with the press conference as planned at 2pm Hong Kong time via live webcast with Tsering joining from Toronto and Matt from London.

You can watch the broadcast here: http://blog.studentsforafreetibet.org/live/

A lot of crazy stuff gets posted on Youtube and doesn’t get taken down because Youtube cannot monitor it all and nobody cares enough to complain. But when it comes to pro-Tibet videos there’s an army of people just waiting to “flag” anything and everything they possibly can in the hopes that Youtube will remove it.

Not to worry, we’ll post that video in 100 other places. It’ll be back soon and many more people will see it. That’s the beauty of the internet and free societies - you cannot block people from the truth.

The photos in this video are hard to look at. They are of Tibetans shot and killed inside Tibet over the past month. This is the reality of Chinese rule in Tibet and what Chinese authorities do to Tibetans who dare to protest. This is what we can expect if the IOC allows China to take the torch through Tibet in May and June. The IOC doesn’t seem to get it?! Maybe this video will help them see the reality.

Thank you Andrew.

This morning, just near the British parliament, 2 climbers unfurled a massive banner on Westminster bridge reading, “One World, One Dream: Free Tibet 2008.” They were arrested along with 2 other Tibet independence activists. These young people of conscience, including a man of British and Chinese descent, took this daring action to show their solidarity and support for the Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom. At this moment, when the Chinese government is brutalizing Tibetans inside Tibet, their action is like a ray of light in the darkness. I cannot say enough to thank them for their courage and their commitment to justice in this world.

How can I sum up the overwhelming feelings of pain, disgust, despair and horror I feel at the thought of China smugly parading through Tibetan lands with this stupid torch - like a glowing international stamp of approval - while they are simultaneously beating, torturing and terrorizing my people in the dark shadows? How do I convey the sense of worry and dread my friends, and so many Tibetans the world over are feeling for their parents, sisters, aunts and cousins they haven’t heard from since the crackdown began? I want to talk about the monks who are committing suicide either because they are heroically trying to save their friends and fellow monks or simply because they can’t take the pain and suffering any longer…

***One and a half hours later (6:22pm GMT)
I was just interrupted as I wrote this post by a call from a friend here in London. She told me that reports are just breaking that the Chinese opened fire on and killed at least 8 Tibetans protesting in eastern Tibet.

Please help us send the truth about China’s torch far and wide around the world. With your help we can convince the IOC to cancel plans to take the Olympic torch through Tibet while Tibetans are suffering under a violent military crackdown.

http://NoTorchInTibet.org/

Pass it on…like a baton!

At a time like this, when a people is suffering so terribly at the hands of a brutal military regime, it can be hard to see how individuals can help. But this world is full of caring people - people of conscience - who can make a difference if they just take action and speak out at once. Your voice matters. It’s not just decision-makers in free countries who care what you think. The Chinese government, and Chinese people, care too. Just read through the vitriolic attacks some are posting on this blog and you will see how much they care.

And don’t be disheartened by what they say, or how entrenched they may appear. Firstly, these individuals do not represent all Chinese people. Tibetans have many Chinese friends the world over. Some have even spoken out and put themselves at risk in China itself. Just check out the blog of this one Chinese artist who has written a very emotional piece entitled Tibet: Her Pain, My Shame.”

Secondly, remember that every freedom movement in history has had it’s nay-sayers and those who insist that change is not possible. Even up until the moment an empire falls apart, there will be people who insist that fighting for freedom and rights is “not realistic.” As my friend Josh wrote in response to one of these people recently:

“History is full of these detractors and their collective ennui — they’re the same ones who told Gandhi there was no way a single man could overthrow the worlds biggest empire. They’re the ones who urged ‘diplomacy’ with Apharteid and told Dr. King to quiet down. Well…I’d urge you to read up on your history. Protests do work, despotic empires — yes, even really big ones — are toppled, and those who say ‘don’t bother’ generally get left behind as activists shape the course of history.”