In today’s update:
- Students for a Free Tibet Kicks Off Protests in Beijing
- Message By His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the Beijing Olympics
- Update on the GetUp/ATC Television Ad

Students for a Free Tibet Kicks Off Protests in Beijing
With two days to go before the Olympic opening ceremony, four activists from Students for a Free Tibet, two British and two American, successfully unfurled two 140-square-foot banners outside the Olympic stadium, setting the stage for two weeks of global protests that will highlight Tibet during the Games.

Links:
Bird’s Nest Banner Action
Four British Tourists Arrested Over Beijing Pro-Tibet Protest
Olympics: Britons and Americans Held Over Tibet Protests

The Dalai Lama’s Beijing Olympics Message
“I would like to offer my greetings to the People’s Republic of China,the organizers and the athletes participating in the forthcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.

Right from the time of China’s application to hold the Olympic games,I have supported China’s right to host the Games. This is a moment of great pride to the 1.3 billion Chinese people. These Games should contribute to promoting the Olympic spirit of friendship,openness and peace.

I send my prayers and good wishes for the success of this event.”
The Dalai Lama
6 August 2008

Update on the ATC/GetUp Television Ad
Yesterday ATC and GetUp held a joint press conference in Sydney to launch a TV advertisement produced to air either side of Friday’s Olympic Opening Ceremony. The ad appeals to the Prime Minister to use his trip to Beijing to help progress the Tibet issue. A number of metropolitan and regional advertising slots have been bought for either side of the Opening Ceremony. The launch gained good national media coverage and has sparked something of a controversy with Seven claiming it has not received our booking. Watch this space for new developments.

The Prime Minister has confirmed that he will be discussing human rights with the Chinese leadership while in Beijing. In a comprehensive briefing sent to Mr. Rudd earlier this week, ATC outlined the deterioration in Tibet since March and the need for stronger and more active international support for Tibet-China negotiations.

Links:
Olympic TV Ad To Push China Rights Message
Free Tibet Ads To Be Screened During Olympics
Australian PM Calls For Free, Clean Olympics