Tibetans Rally Across Canada, Lobby MPs
Canada Concerned with Human Rights in Tibet
VANCOUVER – after the mayor named March “Tibet Month,” members of the Tibetan community and supporters had a gathering in front of the art gallery on March 8th. SFT members set up a letter writing booth to political representatives. Over a hundred letters were signed by Vancouverites who walked by!
CBC News Coverage (Click on “CBC News Vancouver Sunday, Watch LIVE”)
Protest in Vancouver over Chinese Rule of Tibet
Mar 8 Opening Ceremony
TORONTO - Nearly 1,000 protesters marched from Parkdale, the heart of the Tibetan community, to the Chinese Consulate. Speakers include MPP Cheri DiNovo and Chinese activist Sheng Xue.
Toronto Tibetans Mark Uprising
OTTAWA – On March 9th, some 40 Tibetans and supporters gathered on Parliament Hill for the first ever Tibet Lobby Day. We met with some 30 MPs and staff members to urge the Canadian government to pursue multilateral talks with Tibet, China and Western democracies for substantive negotiations to resolve the Tibet issue. We also urged political leaders to push China to immediately end their crackdowns inside Tibet and release political prisoners. Another key ask was for the Canadian government to address the unethical activities of Canadian companies, especially mining companies in Tibet.
During question period, MP Gerrary Kennedy, representative of over 3,000 Tibetans from the Parkdale -High Park riding made a statement to recognize the Tibetan National Uprising Day and called on the government to take action for Tibet.
Meeting with Parliamentary Friends of Tibet
Lobby group meeting with Prime Minister's staff
Lobby group meeting with NDP leader Jack Layton and MP Paul Dewar
On the next day, around 400 Tibetans and supporters from Toronto, Belleville, Kingston, Montreal and Ottawa commemorated March 10th with a spirited rally from Parliament Hill to the Chinese Embassy. Speakers included representatives from every major political party in Canada including the Conservatives, Liberals, Green Party, NDP and Bloc Quebecois.
Filed under: SFT Canada Happenings
