~ Anniversary of Tashi Tserings Death ~ Special Vigil 23 August 2000 . One year ago, Tashi Tsering was kicked to death in Lhasa, Tibet for climbing a flagpole in Potala Square to take down the Chinese flag - he replaced it with a Tibetan flag, which should have been there in the first place. He had attached explosives to his body, intending to set them off when he was beaten, as he knew he would be, but they failed to do so. He was subsequently, beaten and kicked to death! Can anyone with a conscience hear of this incident and not be outraged? We could not. “Why did you murder Tashi Tsering? was the chant that was propelled at the Chinese Embassy - of course, this question will never be answered……………. Over 50 people attended this special vigil, which commenced at 4.00 pm and came to a silent end at 9.00 pm. People had brought flowers to lay in memory of Tashi, a couple of bunches were laid at the entrance to the Embassy earlier than the “en masse” tribute - one of the bunches was laid by Caroline who had come all the way from Northampton for the anniversary commemoration. The three policemen who were there when these flowers were laid at the entrance seemed quite happy about it, even going as far as popping the flowers up into a better position! They also respected the Tibetan prayer flags and did not interfere with them which were hung by Sarah on a railing on the middle island in front of the Embassy. A young woman, Nina, passed by and asked what we were doing, then immediately picked up a placard to voice her concerns. She had come to London from Lancashire on a day trip! Her interest and willingness to take part were most welcome - if only other passers by would do the same……We did, however, have a lively response to the “Hoot your horn for Tibet” placard, and some offers of donations! Luckily, the Chinese Embassy had “forgotten” (or were they too intimidated?) to take done their own flag, so the public were able to recognise who we were protesting against more easily. Often, people think we are demonstrating against the Institute of Architects as we stand outside their building facing the Embassy, as the Police will not let us any nearer!. The BBC turned up with a camera and reporter, they had been told about the event by Alison Reynolds from the Free Tibet Campaign. I am not sure which programme they are filming for, but publicity is publicity. Our spirits were further raised by the arrival of two Portuguese men, with a drum and a Didgeridoo - they came with Migmar who had met them on his travels. They added punctuation to our chants and helped us make even more of an impact.  At 7.00 pm , we had arranged amongst ourselves to cross over to the Embassy to lay the flowers. As has happened before, the Police started to look a bit nervous as they realised what we were doing. As has also happened before, they called for back-up…….. While this was on its way, we lay our tributes by the Embassy railings (one Policeman asked me to go back - I said I wanted to lay my flowers, he said we could come over one by one………..but where is the fun in that?). Two motorbike Policemen were the first to arrive followed by two cars and a police van, all in all over 20 policemen. They immediately tried to make us go back over the road; we stubbornly stayed until we had been there for four minutes, shouting all the while “Why did you murder Tashi Tsering? We won't forget Tashi Tsering!”. With our musicians still accompanying us, we made a lot of noise. When we had our four minutes, we cooperated with the policemen by returning to the pavement across from the Embassy. . However, a certain number of the Police force (badge number 367) still weren’t happy. This particular Policeman called Paul from the Free Tibet Campaign a “moron” and pushed him rather violently several times. I believe he also told him to “get a life”………… Once the Police has ascertained their authority in this way, several of them left after putting all the flowers they could reach into the Police van and took them away for questioning. Patricia and Hannah Lee attempted to take some flowers round to the side door of the Embassy, but were stopped from doing this and decided therefore to hand them on the central railing where the Tibetan prayer flags were flying. Several more of us did so and the Police did not interfere. However, when Paula did the same with a poster bearing Tashi Tsering’s name, she was swiftly joined by a Policeman. A long discussion ensued, whereby he let it slip that letting us use the central reservation for flowers was a “compromise”, but that having a worded tribute up right might “offend some people’s sensibilities”. Hmm, I wonder whose? So Paula and the Policeman took down the placard jointly. All the while we continued our shouting and music. At 9.pm, 35 of us still there, sat down on the pavement for two minutes silence, Tibetan flags still flying. This felt very powerful after all the noise and activity. I would like to thank everyone who took part in this Vigil and gave their support. It is important to let the Chinese know that we are aware of specific incidents and crimes and that their on-going occupation of Tibet is both illegal and immoral. We know that the Chinese authorities take notice of our activities and that they are annoyed by our presence. We, on the other hand, know we are right to speak up on behalf of those who can’t, and pay tribute to those who suffer when they do so. And I know that every single one of us there on Wednesday meant it when we shouted:  “We won’t forget Tashi Tsering”.