Protest Hits Times Square
Wendy Rubick
Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: News
Photo by Isai Rocha
Nineteen current and former Mt. SAC journalism students attended the College Media Advisers three-day convention in New York City, which began March 15.
Hundreds of protestors assembled in New York's Times Square as the convention commenced, Saturday, protesting the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
"Fifty years too long; Shame on the Chinese government; Stop the killing save Tibet" members of several human rights groups chanted. Crowds of people stopped on Fourty-Second Street and Seventh Avenue to view the protest by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Community, Tibetan Women's Association, Students for a free Tibet, and U.S. Tibet Committee.
The protest marked the first Anniversary Memorial for the 2008 Tibetan Martyrs, which was observed all over the world Saturday. Chinese authorities opened fire killing 209 Tibetan protestors in Lhasa March 14, 2008 according to a press release. An estimated 1.2 million Tibetans have lost their lives since the Republic of China began seizing the region in 1950.
"It seems to be the way of the world; a dominant hand comes in and destroys something that is innocent," Erik Potempa, 30, an aspiring actor and writer who resides in New York said.
Potempa said he felt most people already had an awareness of the conflict between the Peoples' Republic of China and Tibetans, but that the protest helped to bring the issue back into focus.
"I have strong sympathy for the Chinese people," said Taizo Horikoshi, 43, a resident of China visiting New York. Horikoshi said he wanted to see less control by the Peoples' Republic of China and a compromise reached between the government and Tibet.
Margit Leshynski, 63, a homemaker residing in New York, said she supported the protestors' message in Times Square and that the U.S. people did not have much knowledge of China's reign on Tibet. She added that she felt the Dalai Lama should have his power restored.
"It isn't right for an oppressive country to dominate other countries," Leshynski said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Portland Movers
posted 11/11/09 @ 1:03 PM PST
It's good that so many people are coming out to protest. It really seems very unjust that the Chinese have killed so many Tibetans due to this conflict. (Continued…)
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