Dharamsala, Feb. 21: RTYC New York & New Jersey held a protest rally in New York city yesterday in protest against the arrests of at least 21 Tibetans following the recent protests in Lithang on Feb 15 & 16. Around a hundred Tibetans living in the city gathered at the Chinese Consulate to vent their anger at the diplomatic organ of the communist regime.
RTYC New York and New Jersey strongly condemned the Chinese government’s military clampdown in Lithang County which has been a major trouble spot of Beijing since March uprising last year.
The rally started with a minute’s silence in mourning of all the martyrs of Tibet. Tsewang Gonpo, the General Secretary of the RTYC, NY & NJ, read ‘the Independent Tibet – Some Facts’, compiled the Tibetan writer and activist Jamyang Norbu.
RTYC NY & NJ says the rally was organized to appeal the Chinese Government to unconditionally release those Tibetans detained in Lithang protests and withdraw the massive built-up of Chinese military forces in Tibet. Fliers and leaflets addressing its demands were also distributed at the location.
A branch of the largest pro-independence Tibetan group in exile, RTYC NY & NJ said it will not celebrate the Tibetan New Year beginning February 25 to mourn the killings last year of about 249 Tibetans. The organization said it will join the worldwide movement of agitation against China during this Tibetan New Year by carrying out various political activities in the city.
