Because Colonial
Occupation
and
Genocide aren't just in your History
Books
why
tibet?
In 1949 the People's Republic of China invaded
the nation of Tibet, a large and independent state with a unique
religion, language, and culture. After ten years of trying to
reach a peaceful solution with China, the Dalai Lama, Tibet's
spiritual and temporal leader, fled his homeland and found refuge
in neighboring India. Nearly 100,000 Tibetans followed him on
that journey into exile.
In the half century since then, over 1 million Tibetans have died as a direct result of the Chinese occupation, as victims of starvation, execution, and torture. Nearly all of Tibet's 6,000 monasteries - centers of religion and culture - have been ransacked and destroyed. Today, Chinese troops continue to occupy the nation of Tibet. The Tibetan people have resisted China's rule, and have called for a free Tibet through demonstrations and non-violent protests. Sadly, these voices are often quickly and effectively silenced by imprisonment and torture, as China tightens its grip on Tibet by cracking down on dissent.
why
students?
Because
students get things done! Concern about the fate of Tibet has
grown steadily around the world, particularly in the last several
years. As word of the injustices in Tibet has spread, the world's
outrage has grown and people are turning their outrage into
action. And as the events of the past few decades have proven, no
one is more committed or willing to take action for justice than
students and young people.
Students for a Free Tibet is a worldwide network of student-run Tibet support groups. Our purpose is to educate youth about the situation in Tibet and to translate awareness into action. SFT chapters play a vital role in the movement for a Free Tibet by educating their school and community, and mobilizing grassroots pressure to make things happen!
how
can students free tibet?
When we have thousands of students at 400 chapters in dozens of
countries unified around specific tactics on planned dates, we
have a powerful force for change that cannot be ignored or swept
aside! When we have letters, faxes, emails and phone calls
flooding the offices and homes of the Powers That Be, when they
read about our efforts in the papers and see us on the news week
after week, and when their entrance-ways are clogged with
students who are committed to nonviolent civil disobedience...
the situation will start to change not only in Tibet, but around
the world. Believe it!
Here's what we do...
1. Increase the Pressure
Any nonviolent solution for
the Tibetan people will involve negotiations - it is our job to
provide the pressure necessary to get things started, and to help
produce a climate that gives Tibetans a strong position to work
from. This year, look for more actions, more visibility, more
civil disobedience, and more results!
2. Free all Political Prisoners
Students for a Free Tibet
is uncompromising in our campaign for the release of all
political prisoners. The Panchen Lama is not only Tibets' second
most important religious leader, he is also the world's youngest
political prisoner. Tibetans are arrested for speaking out, and
are often tortured and even murdered in prison.
3. Take Economic Action
Economic action is a strong
lever to pressure the People's Republic of China to negotiate
with the Dalai Lama, to improve China's human rights record, to
release political prisoners, and to give Tibetans control in the
development of their nation. Dozens of chapters have already
begun efforts to pass Tibet resolutions in their communities and
at their schools, and we're just getting started!
What
can you do
Start
a chapter of Students for a
Free Tibet at your school! Spread the word - host a speaker, show a video, hold an event. Put up flyers
and posters, hand out
brochures, set up information tables at events and in the student
union or other public areas. Gather signatures on petitions or postcards (contact SFT for
materials). Write
a letter to the editor or
an article on Tibet for your campus paper. Contact SFT to find out how you can pass a resolution
calling for corporate accountability in Tibet. Join us in our actions around the World - help us turn up the
pressure!
