Published by: World Tibet Network News, Monday, March 11, 1996

Forwarded by Sonam Tenzin

Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 07:31:07 -0500

Losang Dawa (Chairperson of Friends of Tibet, Dunedin, New Zealand) reports:

Dunedin branch of Friends of Tibet commemorated the 37th anniversary of the 10th March uprising by holding a candle-light vigil in the evening from 8-9 pm. Chairperson Losang Dawa spoke about the significance of the day and the implications of the uprising for Tibetans. Participants in the vigil held placards and banners carrying messages such as "Act now and save Tibet before its too late". They sang Tseme Yontan, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 10th of March speech was read out. Though the weather was cold and windy they braved it and showed their unfailing support for Tibet.

On the 11th of March Friends of Tibet (Dunedin, New Zealand) staged a silent protest with four women dressed in Tibetan costume gagged and bound. Losang Dawa explained that this protest was to show the wider community that being bound and gagged has been the fate of the Tibetans in Tibet ever since China's illegal occupation. He said that this wont last long because there wont be any Tibetans left to be tortured unless Tibet is saved by the international community. The meeting was addressed by the Mayor of Dunedin, Mrs Sukhi Turner, who is refusing to lead a trade delegation to China on the grounds of China's abuse of human rights, committing genocide in Tibet and nuclear testing. Leah Macbay, local candidate for the Alliance Party also spoke in support of the Tibetan cause.

For information write e-mail to: losang.dawa@stonebow.otago.ac.nz