Published by: World Tibet Network News, Thursday, Apr 18, 1996

Submitted by Eva Herzer, President

International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet

On April 16, 1996, the Berkeley City Council, after strong lobbying by Tibet activists, voted not to establish a sister city relationship with the Chinese city of Chengde. The proposal was first brought to the City's Peace and Justice Commission by Chinese American Berkeley residents. The Commission first endorsed the proposal and several weeks later voted to suspend it (before it ever was approved by the City Council) after extensive protest and testimony from the Tibetan community. The City Council was persuaded that establishing a sister city relationship with Chengde at this time would send the wrong signals to China.

At the same meeting, the City Council also passed a resolution expressing its solidarity with the Tibetan people's struggle for self-determination, declaring its appreciation for the Tibetan culture which has been brought to Berkeley by Tibetan immigrants, and declaring April 27, "Concert for a Free Tibet Day".

For tickets for the Concert for a Free Tibet (4-27 at 8pm) call 510-433-7324.

This concert with Philip Glass, Mark Isham, David Doucet, Nawang Khechog, Chaksam-pa and Peter Coyote, will benefit the International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet.