"Gereing" Up for the Olympics

I attended the Tibet rally and vigil last Tuesday, and the protest the following day, which was an ironic welcome extended to China from San Francisco residents and supporters of a free Tibet. What an experience! Tibet has been occupied by the Chinese government for 50 years and all the speakers of the rally agreed, it is one thing to bring the torch through a democratic nation, especially a city like San Francisco which is so 'open' and 'liberal', but it is incredibly wrong to bring the torch through Tibet who has no say, and is practically in lock-down. We must speak out for the protetection, freedom, and future of Tibet simply because we can without fear of strict consequences and punishment from the United States government. Is the torch relay really the 'Journey of Harmony?' I think not; the torch is the 'Torch of Freedom' which will forever be lit for the Tibetans.

SF Supervisor Chris Daly spoke out against China by asking, "What is more humanist than human rights?" China's 50 year occupation in Tibet is increasingly becoming a genocide; 150 Tibetans have been murdered since mid-March. Daly's partner called him the "Daly Lama."

Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave a very moving and emotional speech which addressed how important it is President George Bush not attend the Olympic games on August 8 regardless of him only attending as a "sports fan." Tutu led a chant meant for the heads of state to hear- "For goodness sake, don’t go to the Beijing Games, for the sake of our children, for the beautiful people of Tibet. Don’t go!" He also thanked the audience, "It is people like you who freed South Africa [by using democracy to raise voices and opinions]."

Actor Richard Gere gave the closing speech to the rally as the sun set and audience members lit their candles. Gere read from a three page letter the Dalai Lama sent to citizens of Tibet which called for nonviolent actions. He feels the the world stage is now being set for the Dalai Lama and hopes China will one day wake up, realize what they have done, and go to the Dalai Lama because "he will know what to do." Let's hope, Mr. Gere.