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Midday Saturday 10th
- Midday Sunday 11th May 2003
24 hour Vigil for Tibetan Prisoners
Organised by Amnesty International
and Students for a Free Tibet UK
Special Vigil at the Dorchester,
Monday January 27th, 6.00 - 9.00pm
The China-Britain Trade Association held their annual dinner to
celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Special Vigil for Human Rights Day
Wednesday December 11th from 5.00pm -8.00pm
This special vigil also marked the London launch of a new international
campaign BOYCOTT Made in China.
Many groups worldwide have pledged their support for the campaign,
including most recently the well-known Chinese dissident Harry Wu,
who has written and spoken at length about the laogi (labour camps),
together with the Laogai Foundation.
I received this wonderful reply below from Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime
Minister of the Tibetan government in exile.
It is excellent news which I'm sure everyone supporting the Vigil
will be very happy to read. Let the Vigil roll on! Paula ~~~~~~~
Dear Paula Hollings, Thank you very much for your kind email dated
11th October 2002. Sorry for the delay in responding as I was away
from Dharamsala during last two weeks.
The Kashag considers the Tibet Vigil in front of Chinese Embassy,
London continued for the last 13 years as a historic one and we
deeply appreciate it. Since it is a perfect non-violent expression
we strongly feel that it must be continued until a Tibet issue finds
an amicable solution.
Of course, it will depend on your convenience and possibility. This
vigil occupies one of the most important place in Non-violent Tibet
Movement and it still does not lose it’s importance and relevance.
Of course, recently we have restored a direct contact with Beijing’s
authorities and there is a hope for early resumption of dialogue
with them. In this context as a response to Chinese good gesture
shown to us during the year 2002,we have appealed to Tibetans and
Tibet Support Groups not to make provocative demonstration or public
rallies which might appear insult or embarrassment to Beijing government.
This experiment should continue with special reference to the visits
of Chinese leaders to foreign countries in order to test the Chinese
response and create a conducive atmosphere for confidence building
and dialogue.
But your Vigil is neither aimed to insult the Chinese authorities
nor is provocative but it is a symbolic gesture to remind them the
Tibet problem.
We, therefore, wholeheartedly request you to continue it as long
as possible. I am visiting London from 16th to 20th November 2002
and I look forward for an opportunity to discuss about it in detail
with you during my visit. With my warm greetings.
Yours sincerely,
Samdhong Rinpoche
KALON TRIPA
Wednesday August 14th Completion
of one year of the Downing Street Vigil and final Westminster vigil
for the time being.
The Downing Street Vigil has completed a full year of weekly vigils
in support of a more meaningful UK policy towards Tibet. Never more
than ten but never less than one, I think we put Tibet a bit more
on the map in Central London. We were there for many Prime Minister's
exits to Question Time in the House Of Commons, and we talked to
Members of both houses. In total 80 different people turned up.
Yes I made a note each week .That was my way of mapping the year.
Two meetings with the Foreign Office , weekly letters to the Prime
Minister, and the production of the Feb 18th Vigil statement marked
the route. Thanks to Dolly, Derek, Lucy, Duncan, and Paula for the
backroom work. And thanks to all who came in particular those who
managed two figures Margaret [10], Paula [18] , Elizabeth [30] ,Andrew
[30] and Patricia [32]. And those who came from further afield including
Tonita and Colin. --Simon
Downing Street Vigil photos
Saturday August 3rd
Meditation On The Pavement
5 people turned up for the Meditation On The Pavement,and surprisingly
we had two rain free hours.Beside us some Falun Gong supporters
were also meditating as part of their continuous 24 hour protest.And
there we were. --simon
Saturday/Sunday June 15th/16th Special Vigil:
30 hour vigil on the anniversary of Ngawang Sangdrol's kidnap.
photos here
Saturday June 1st. Meditation on the Pavement
On a sunny afternoon eight people turned up for the two hour meditate
on the pavement. It was a peaceful event and for once the wind did
not blow over the placards. next meditation on the Pavement Saturday
August 3rd, 2.00pm--4.00pm
Well ,14 people turned up for this seventh anniversary of the kidnap
of the Panchen lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.Where is he ? Is he alive
? Can China produce him ? Free Him ! These were the calls. 4 of
us delivered photos of the Panchen Lama to the Embassy.
Simon
in Meeting At Foreign Office ,14th June 2002.
Saturday 27th April Meditation on the Pavement and
silent vigil for Tibet opposite Chinese Embassy
The weather forecast was bad, but thirteen people turned up for
the meditation on the pavement which took place in good weather.
But the wind was pretty strong and blew away the placards.
We remembered Thupten Ngodup who set light to himself on this day
in 1998 when the Tibetan Hunger Strike was broken up in Delhi.
Everyone felt quite encouraged so we have decided to make it a monthly
event during the summer , sticking with Saturdays from 2.00pm--4.00pm.
Next one , June 1st.
Special Vigil -The Panchen Lama's birthday
Wednesday 24th April opposite Chinese Embassy 6.00pm-8.00pm
If he remains alive this was the 13th birthday of Gedhun Choekyi
Nyima, The Panchen Lama ,kidnapped by China in 1995.Amongst our
banners were those proclaiming " China, produce the body of the
Panchen Lama", and "Panchen Lama killed by China. "
We repeatedly asked them over the loudspeaker whether they have
killed the Panchen Lama or not.
21 people turned up for this fine weather vigil. and there was more
slogan shouting than there has been for some time.We crossed the
road en masse to deliver the Panchen Lama's birthday cards. Simon
and Stella had not expected to be visiting China at this time, but
surprisingly after as usual getting no response from the front door
we rang the side door bell only to find it automatically opening.
So entering with Tibetan flag we silently hand delivered cards to
a gesticulating Chinese man . So the door has finally opened. more
Statement
of His Holiness The Dalai Lama on 10 March 2002 on the 43rd Anniversary
of The Tibetan National Uprising Day
CAMDEN COUNCIL RAISED THE TIBETAN FLAG ON CAMDEN TOWN HALL
to mark the March 10th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising. This
year March 10th fell on a Sunday, so the ceremony took place on
Monday 11th. Many thanks to Camden.
What
the Papers say...
Simon ran the Hastings Half Marathon
and successfully completed in 1 hour 45 minutes and 00 seconds,
or 1,45 dead !!
in aid of the Tibetan Womens Association Stitches Of Tibet
project, which aims to make 10 Tibetan Women [mainly new escapees]
self sufficient each year through a training in tailoring skills.
Items are sold in the Stitches Of Tibet Shop in Dharamsala and the
proceeds go back into the programme. Donations by cheque or cash
on the Vigil.
Cheques should be made payable to :- U.K.Tibetan Women's Association
[Marathon] Cheques can also be sent to U.K.T.W.A.
c/o Tibet Shop, 1, St James Market, SW1Y 4SB
Total so far approx £200
Anniversary of Tibetan Women's Uprising Demonstration
Tuesday March 12th 5.00pm--7.00pm
Opposite Chinese Embassy, Portland Place
Ani Panchen, passed away in Dharamsala on February 2, 2002.
more here
Read TIBET VIGILS DECEMBER 2001 STATEMENT here
SPECIAL VIGIL MONDAY DEC 10th - HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
5.00pm--8.00pm Opposite Chinese Embassy
65 people shouting with flowers, candles, flags & balloons !
full report Here.
Also see What the Papers say
Simon was invited to a meeting at the Foreign & Commonwealth
Office on 26.11.01 to discuss the UK Governments policy on Tibet,
information from the meeting can be found here
Hu Jintaos Visit to the U.K. (October, November 2001)
full report here
BP Lunch-time Demonstrations 7th and 21st September 2001
(and silent vigil on 14th September)
On 7th September, BP's Head Office at Finsbury Circus was roused
from its self-satisfied stupor by an energetic group of 11 of us
from the Vigil.
On 14th September, The police asked us to postpone our planned vigil,
due to the memorial service for victims of the terror attacks in
the US, at St Paul's . Two people we were unable to reach joined
me for the 2 hours, and we also had a very welcome surprise visit
from Amsterdam's Tibet Support Group who were in London that week.We
held a reflective vigil in the crisp autumn sunshine. This time
we didn't shout. We didn't even have banners. We handed out flyers
and found most people to be very open and receptive after the horror
only 3 days before.
A week later, on 21st September, the postponed vigil was supported
by a skeleton crew of Patricia and Paula, with the warmly welcomed
addition of Carlos at the end.
full report here
Meditation on the pavement, Saturday 6th October
In the best traditions of meditation on the pavement when it rained
it poured and when the sun shone it was quite hot for October. Nine
people turned up their noses at the weather forecast and turned
up .
Tibetan Flag Kept Flying --
Helen kept the Tibetan Flag Flying outside The Labour Conference
Centre in Brighton ,on Tuesday October 2nd
"Four regulars from the Vigil, Simon, Paula, Elizabeth, and
Chas joined the Campaign Against The Arms Trade march from
a Canning Town recreation ground to the Excel Centre by the Royal
Victoria Docks, where the UK's largest arms fair [nothing fair about
it] was being held on September 11th. The 200 of us set off at about
10.00a.m. but did not get to the gates of the centre as we were
met by a wall of police ,some 160 strong ,a quarter of a mile from
the destination.
They in turn had a line of police horse, in case, a hundred metres
behind them. In the dock a police boat purred from time to time,
while a helicoptor fretted above, giving the dealers that extra
reassurance that they would in no way be inconvenienced by any of
the unfortunate democratic niceties . Being allowed to hold a day
long rally in a car park 400 metres away
can hardly be called exercising the right to peaceful protest ,as
the dealers would not have seen us without the aid of the purchase
of a pair of binoculars.
During the day a few other Vigilers came by including Tito, Sarah,
Chris, and Spenser. We had a couple of Tibetan flags and signs urging
the UK to cease exporting arms to China in contravention of the
European Arms Embargo .Arms exports have increased dramatically
to China under Blair and include aircraft, tanks, armoured vehicles,
bombs, missiles, charges, mortars, howitzers and mines. This seems
to break the UK's own interpretation of the EU ban as outlined by
Derek Fatchett MP on 3rd June 1998. Clearly the UK exports break
the
European Union Code Of Conduct on Arms Exports Criterion Two , respect
of human
rights [which applies to Tibet] , and Criterion Four , preservation
of regional peace, security and stability, [which again applies
to Tibet. The UK gov does not recognise Tibet as independent but
equally does not recognise Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. It therefore
follows that the UK should not supply China with arms during the
military occupation of Tibet."
A little after 1.00pm we heard a speech warning that if the UK did
not stop exporting arms to Israel , which might be used in a regional
dispute [contrary to the criteria on arms exports], then it would
come back to haunt us. A little later snatches of news began to
come through that innocent civilians had lost their lives in an
attack on New York ,thus joining the innocent civilians who have
been losing their lives for decades in other attacks around the
world.
We heard that the UK now exports £5 billion in arms each year
, that 2000 children are killed or disabled in wars every single
day, and that the world's largest 5 arms producers have increased
their arms sales by 23% in just 8 years, to 63 billion dollars.
Around 3.00pm another rally arrived. This was the fiesta for peace.
It was hard to calculate numbers as it arrived in a cacophonous
melee of policemen and bicycles and policewomen and pink costumes
and batons and drums .[but maybe 250 fiestarers and 70 police. I
may have got that wrong ]. It certainly enlivened the day. The band
played up to the police lines and away again. We drifted away after
5.00pm slightly hampered by the police who wanted us to stay and
play, at least one imagines so as they shut local stations to demonstrators.
The next day at the regular Downing Street Vigil we displayed a
banner reading "Stop exporting arms to China-- Free Tibet"
on one side, and "Ban all arms dealing " on the other.
There was support from passersby including tourists who asked to
be photographed with it . Clearly there is much popular support
for the idea that if we are the "civilised " world then
the
moment is appropriate to stand shoulder to shoulder and stop exporting
arms. ---simon "
more about the arms trade
Meditation on the Pavement 25-08-01
"Well there were no dogs about so it was just a case of only
7 meditators came out in the endless midday sun but many passersby
appreciated our action.
Next meditation on the pavement, Saturday, October 6th."
"The 25th July vigil had a slightly unusual feel to it Tony
Blair and John Prescott were guests at a "Thank you "
party in RIBA given by Bil Morriss & the trade unions.
Both entered quite casually through the front door. This meant
we did quite a lot of chanting in 2 directions at once "China
stop exporting labour camp goods to UK, UK stop importing them "
"Bp and Jiang Zemin in bed together", "UK stop exporting
arms to China " plus an emphasis on population control issues
and the need for China to negotiate with Dalai Lama became the order
of the day.
Most delegates left by the rear door but to his credit Tony Blair
left by the front door without entourage. Jane went up to the car
and asked how he slept at night and what he would do about Tibet.
An intriguing little demo."
DEMONSTRATION AT CHINESE EMBASSY: Tuesday 26 June 2001
The Chinese Embassy hosted an event to 'commemorate' the 50th
anniversary of the signing of the 17 Point Agreement. China's propaganda
machine has moved into top gear recently with a series of events
in Tibet, Beijing and around the world.
China deems the signing of the 17 Point Agreement as legitimisation
for the occupation of Tibet. However the Agreement was never honoured
and was abrogated by the Dalai Lama when he fled Tibet in 1959.
" A good turnout for a mid-afternoon demo of about 20 people
[including 7 from the Vigil ] gave the few idiots who were stupid
enough to go in the front door of the Embassy a rousing welcome
of "Shame , shame, shame on you, Chinese collaborator "
as the 20 or so of them went in to see the Chinese version of the
rape of Tibet."
VIGIL FOR NGAWANG SANGDROL 30 HOUR
VIGIL
Friday June 15th at 12.00pm until Saturday June 16th at 6.00pm
Opposite Chinese Embassy ,Portland Place.
report by Lobsang Tsering Here
see press release
"Jonathan Ross on his radio programme spoke of 30 Hour Vigil
for Ngawang Sangdrol outside Chinese Embassy, the context being
of difference on values (he was on his way to a party l believe)."
from Tonita Lawrie.
Hundreds of letters of support for the Vigil have been received
recently from Tibetans in exile in India, a few in Tibetan, heres
one example.
Wednesday May 16th Anniversary of the Panchen Lama's kidnap
Special Vigil 6.00--9.00pm
read report from Elizabeth here
Hear Tibet Day April 25th.
As part of the International Campaign for a UN refendum
in Tibet a day of actions was planned across the world, initiated
by students at Stanford University.
[ to coincide with the Dalai Lama's visit to the US ] Hear Tibet!
Lunchtime demo at bp 12.30pm-3.00pm
1,Finsbury Circus [nearest tube Moorgate]
To protest British involvement in the Chinese exploitation and
theft of resources from Tibet.
It seems when there's a chance to make money Britain can't keep
its greedy hands off. Report by
Fergus here
We then held a vigil for the Panchen Lama's birthday
at the Chinese Embassy, 49/51 Portland Place Time: 5.00pm-9.00pm
Report by Michael Anderson
here
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6.00-7.00pm Tibet
Vigil opposite Chinese Embassy