Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted March 18, 2008 After decades of repression under Chinese rule, the Tibetan people's frustrations have burst onto the streets in protests and riots. With the spotlight of the upcoming Olympic Games now on China, Tibetans are crying out to the world for change. The Chinese government has said that the protesters who have not yet surrendered "will be punished". Its leaders are right now considering a crucial choice between escalating brutality or dialogue that could determine the future of Tibet, and China. We can affect this historic choice--China does care about its international reputation. China's President Hu Jintao needs to hear that the 'Made in China' brand and the upcoming Olympics in Beijing can succeed only if he makes the right choice. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention--and we need it in the next 48 hours. The Tibetan Nobel peace prize winner and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama has called for restraint and dialogue: he needs the world's people to support him. Click below now to sign the petition--and tell absolutely everyone you can right away--our goal is 1 million voices united for Tibet: http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/6.php China's economy is totally dependent on "Made in China" exports that we all buy, and the government is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new China, respected as a leading world power. China is also a very diverse country with a brutal past and has reason to be concerned about its stability -- some of Tibet's rioters killed innocent people. But President Hu must recognize that the greatest danger to Chinese stability and development comes from hardliners who advocate escalating repression, not from Tibetans who seek dialogue and reform. We will deliver our petition directly to Chinese officials in London, New York, and Beijing, but it must be a massive number before we deliver the petition. Please forward this email to your address book with a note explaining to your friends why this is important, or use our tell-a-friend tool to email your address book--it will come up after you sign the petition. The Tibetan people have suffered quietly for decades. It is finally their moment to speak--we must help them be heard. With hope and respect, Ricken, Iain, Graziela, Paul, Galit, Pascal, Milena, Ben and the whole Avaaz team PS - It has been suggested that the Chinese government may block the Avaaz website as a result of this email, and thousands of Avaaz members in China will no longer be able to participate in our community. A poll of Avaaz members over the weekend showed that over 80% of us believed it was still important to act on Tibet despite this terrible potential loss to our community, if we thought we could make a difference. If we are blocked, Avaaz will help maintain the campaign for internet freedom for all Chinese people, so that our members in China can one day rejoin our community. Here are some links with more information on the Tibetan protests and the Chinese response: BBC News: UN Calls for Restraint in Tibet Human Rights Watch: China Restrain from Violently Attacking Protesters Associated Press: Tibet Unrest Sparks Global Reaction New York Times: China Takes Steps to Thwart Reporting on Tibet Protests Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pchan 5,162 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Yeah, pretty sad. I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted March 20, 2008 Dear friends, In just 36 hours, 253,553 of us have supported the Dalai Lama's call for dialogue and human rights in Tibet. This is an incredible response--if each of us can get 4 more of our friends to sign the petition, we'll hit 1 million this week! Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zepling 100 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 I want to say that I signed the petition and am appalled by the many people on YouTube (I was looking for videos relating to the recent struggles in Tibet) calling his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama a liar and a TERRORIST. That's ridiculous. They even go so far as to blame him for Tibet's horrible feudal history from before China's occupation. He was only a youth when he was coronatted in 1950! China began it's occupation in 1951! He should not be blamed for that at all. He is also criticized for "wanting to get back to the good ole' feudal days." I want to know where he ever said that he wanted to go back to slavery and such? Where and when did he say such things? Incredible. Mayor Quimby I'll admit I used the city treasury to fund the murder of my enemies, but as Gabbo would say, I'm a bad wittle boy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gokuDX7 2,871 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Notice how this all started blowing up after Bush gave the Dalai Lama a Congressional gold medal? I think that was the last straw for the Chinese government, China is pissed and they want to show the world that. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15374199 All hail piggy, king of bacon ^)^ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the56ker 100 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 you know i went and saw him when he was in nyc last year i signed it also btw [sIGPIC] http://forums.ancientclan.com/signaturepics/sigpic1654_3.gif[/sIGPIC] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
