On March 10th (Monday), over four hundred Bay Area Tibetans gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising. Participants waved the snow lion flag and various slogans, passionately chanting slogans such as “Free Tibet”, “We want freedom”, “Hong Kong freedom”, “Taiwan freedom”, “Uyghur freedom”, “China freedom”.
This rally was organized jointly by the Tibetan Association of Northern California, the San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Students for a Free Tibet, and the Bay Area Friends of Tibet, and attracted participants from different ethnic backgrounds.
The event began at 8 a.m. from Berkeley City Hall, arrived at San Francisco City Hall at 10 a.m., and marched to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco at noon, with the protest continuing until 2:30 p.m., after which the demonstrators proceeded to Union Square.
Every year on March 10th, Tibetan exiles around the world hold commemorative events for “Tibet Uprising Day” to pass on historical truths and pursue freedom. On March 10, 1959, a large-scale uprising erupted in Tibet to resist the invasion and occupation by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but it was brutally suppressed. Eventually, the Dalai Lama led his followers into exile in India, making that day a symbol of Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom and independence.
Lobsang Dorji, the chairman of the San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, told Epoch Times that March 10th holds great significance for Tibetans. Each year, they protest against the CCP’s brutal occupation of Tibet and oppression of Tibetans, advocating for oppressed peoples and nations including Vietnam, the Philippines, Southern Mongolia (Inner Mongolia), the South China Sea region, Tibet, Uyghurs, and oppressed people within China.
Kunjo Tashi, chairman of the Tibetan Association of Northern California, said to Epoch Times that today’s rally commemorates the 66th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising and calls on the CCP to resolve the Tibet issue through dialogue, stop persecuting Tibetans, such as imprisoning them for having the Dalai Lama’s photo at home.
He mentioned that over the past 66 years, the CCP has attempted to eradicate Tibetan culture, mandating over a million Tibetan children, some as young as 4 years old, to be forcibly sent to boarding schools to learn CCP ideology and Chinese, isolating them from their parents and Tibetan culture. This policy of severing family ties and depriving language and cultural heritage is systematically destroying Tibetan culture.
He emphasized that Tibetan culture is built upon the spirit of compassion and love in Buddhism, teaching people to love one another, while the CCP is trying to erase all of this. These values are not only essential to Tibetans but also to China and the world, as the concept of peace and coexistence can make the world a better place.
During the march, Tenzin Pema used a loudspeaker to lead the chanting of slogans from a truck, with the impassioned voices echoing through the streets. She told Epoch Times that since 1959, the CCP has illegally occupied Tibet, forcing millions of Tibetans into exile. “I am from Tibet, I belong to Tibet, but we have never been able to go back.” She stressed that the CCP has long been lying to the world, claiming that Tibet is a part of China, whereas Tibet was an independent country and has never belonged to China.
This demonstration attracted many young people, with families even participating with their children. A young Tibetan, Tenzin Yeshe, mentioned that they were taught from a young age to bravely speak out, striving for Tibet’s freedom and independence without CCP control. Taking to the streets today was to raise public awareness and help more people understand the reasons behind their protest.
Seventeen-year-old Tibetan girl Tenzing Gyamokhang, a member of Students for a Free Tibet, has been participating in the March 10th Tibetan Uprising Day activities since she was young, voicing out for her voiceless compatriots. She expressed that as a Tibetan exile, supporting fellow Tibetans is crucial, while the mainland Tibetan children are deprived of their right to learn religion and language, making her angry and driving her to actively participate in protest actions.
On that day, people from various ethnicities joined the protest to show solidarity with Tibetans. A Filipino, James Hess, expressed that the fate of Tibet is closely related to the Philippines, as if Tibet falls into the hands of the CCP, the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) will also face threats.
While the CCP is interfering in Philippine politics, he stood up to support Tibet and encouraged Tibetans to continue their struggle.
Tim believed that preserving Tibetan culture and language is crucial, with Tibetans deserving freedom. He mentioned that while it may not be possible to change the CCP’s stance, awakening enough Chinese people could garner more support for the Tibetan freedom movement.
Mike Rocag, a Tibetan Buddhist follower, hoped that Tibetan culture and religion could truly be free and open. He believed that Tibetan culture is profound and ancient, and Buddhism could bring inspiration and values to the United States.
There were also some Han Chinese who voiced their support for the Tibetans’ protest march.
A member of the American Hong Kong Association, Bruce, stated that the destinies of Tibet and Hong Kong are similar, both deprived of life and freedom by the CCP, so mutual support is necessary.
Zheng Yonghua, a supporter of the Hong Kong independence movement, expressed that supporting the Tibetan uprising is a must, urging everyone to unite and fight against the CCP’s authoritarian regime.
Cui Yunxing from the China Democracy Party mentioned that the freedom of Tibet is closely linked to the freedom of China. Without the fall of the CCP, the Chinese people will never truly gain freedom.
Hao Jianping from the China Democracy Party stated that the freedom of Tibet is related to human rights and justice in China. If a nation is deprived of basic rights, the world should not remain silent. ◇