Protests Planned for October 23rd

Next week, China's Party Secretary Jiang Zemin will be visiting Chicago, and Tibetans and supporters from all over the Midwest are planning to be there to demand an end to China's brutal occupation of Tibet. Jiang will be meeting with the Mayor of Chicago and the Governor of Illinois, along with numerous business leaders. The focal point of the Chinese leader's visit - and of the Tibetan protests - will be a dinner at the Ritz Carlton on October 23rd.

Among the largest contingents of protestors will be dozens of Tibetans coming from the Minnesota branch of the Tibetan Youth Congress. “We need to remind Jiang one last time before he retires that the Panchen Lama must be freed now, TIBET belongs to Tibetans, and all political prisoners must be released” said Tsewang Rigzin, General Secretary of TYC.

Jiang’s visit comes on the heels of the first meetings between Chinese officials and envoys of the Dalai Lama in over nine years. Although Tibetans remain skeptical about China’s intentions, there is a general feeling that change may be finally coming. Tibetan Youth Congress, Students for a Free Tibet, and other organizations supporting the Tibetan freedom struggle are calling for bigger and louder protests everywhere Jiang goes.

“It is pressure that brought the Chinese government to the table, and it will be pressure that ultimately forces them to leave Tibet,” said Lhadon Tethong of Students for a Free Tibet.