Lhasa locked down - demonstrations spread

Greetings,

Lhasa remains locked down. Informers are offered rewards. Fear and money and paranoia are great motivators. Reports indicate demonstrations in Gansu and Sichuan.

A young Tibetan monk was less circumspect about government restrictions on the proposed march from India to Tibet. After all, said Tenzin Damchoe, the Indian-born child of Tibetan refugees, Tibetans had learned the art of the peaceful protest march from Gandhi. “It’s a little bit disgrace,” Mr. Damchoe, 30, said.

As for the revolt inside Tibet, he said he could only imagine the worst. “They crushed their own people,” he said of the Chinese response to the Tianemen Square pro-democracy protests in 1989. “There’s no doubt they will crush the Tibetan people.”

Demonstrations, some peaceful, others violent, against the brutal repressive Chinese regime continue around the world. They blame separatists and outside influences. They blame the Dalai Lama.

He said he was aware that the Chinese government blamed him for fomenting rebellion. “I’m happy they found some scapegoat,” he said, in half-jest, and then described what he said were deep-rooted grievances.

“Whether the Chinese government admits it or not, there is a problem. The problem is a nation with ancient cultural heritage is actually facing serious dangers,” he said. “Whether intentionally or unintentionally, some kind of cultural genocide is taking place.” (NYT linked below for full story)

The Drapchi prison outside of Lhasa will be overflowing with newly incarcerated monks, nuns and civilians. They will be tortured and some will die. New refugees will flee across the Himalayas.

Light a candle.

Practice nonviolence.

Peace.

NYT