Published by: World Tibet Network News, Monday, May 27 1996

by Tibetan Rights Campaign

SEATTLE (May 23, 1996) -- About 50 Tibet supporters rallied today in front of the headquarters of the Port of Seattle located on the waterfront in Seattle to launch the June China Boycott and to call for revocation of Most Favored Nation (MFN) trading status for China.

Kunzang Yuthok, executive director of Tibetan Rights Campaign, said, "We know what continued MFN brings. It brings death, imprisonment and increasing human rights abuses in Tibet and China. It also gives the communist Chinese government much needed foreign exchange to finance its occupation of Tibet, and encourages them to continue the piracy of intellectual property, smuggling guns into the streets of America and the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology."

The China Boycott is endorsed by over 100 organizations with more being added each day. The list of endorsers includes the AFL-CIO, human rights organizations working for Tibet, Burma, Mongolia, Taiwan and China, peace and justice groups, religious organizations and businesses.

Yuthok urged consumers to send their direct and personal message by not using their dollars to buy anything made in China.

Without a Chinese consulate in Seattle, the venue of the Port of Seattle was chosen because of that quasi-governmental organization's strong support for unconditional MFN and because the Port of Seattle is a major gateway for imports from China. The Port of Seattle reports that China trade is the second highest after Japan.

Chants of "Boycott China," "Revoke MFN" and "Free Tibet" by the demonstrators were supported by passing drivers and even train engineers passing on the other side of Alaskan Way.

Earlier this month, the King County Republican Party Caucus adopted revocation of MFN for China in its platform. This sends a strong message from the citizens where Boeing and many of the major corporations which are calling for permanent MFN for China. This platform item will be more difficult at the State Republican Party Convention because of the dependence of strong financial support from these very same corporations to the campaign war chests of both U.S. political parties.

"This November, the people will make MFN an election issue. Politicians will have to address this issue because it is of major concern to the majority of their constituents," said Yuthok.

Petitions pledging not to buy anything made in China until Tibet gains its independence and postcards to President Clinton and Members of Congress were signed by participants.

This demonstration was a part of a National Day of Protest to launch June China Boycott and call for revocation of MFN for China. Other cities protesting today were San Francisco and New York with Chicago on Friday.