10th March: Because I am Tibetan - This will be the slogan at a Tibet rally at Martin Place in Sydney tomorrow as Tibetans mark the 52nd anniversary of National Uprising Day and the 3rd anniversary of 2008 uprising (approaching on 14th March). A second rally will also be held at the Chinese consulate, Camperdown, later in the afternoon.

The Chinese government this week has banned foreigners travelling to Tibet in March. Tibet could remain closed for a few more months as travel agents wait for permits from the authorities. Ahead of these politically-significant anniversaries, China introduced a new “Strike Hard” campaign in Tibet last month, with over 20 young Tibetans detained for having “banned” songs on their mobile phones.

Sydney’s small Tibetan community, many of whom are former political prisoners, will commemorate the day by rallying behind Tibet’s new “heroes of cultural resistance”, who have emerged after the 2008 uprising. They are the new generation of writers and musicians using the internet to assert their Tibetan identity under Chinese rule. The Chinese government’s response is one of heavy crackdown- over 50 artists and writers have been imprisoned and disappeared for expressing their views on Chinese policies since 2008.

At the rally, Tibetan men and women will come in their traditional dress and sing the national freedom song, children will read poems that are labelled “subversive” in Tibet and a talented folk singer will perform “banned” music from her hometown in eastern Tibet. The Tibetans will be joined by Australian supporters including Greens Senator-elect Lee Rhiannon and Rev. Bill Crews, Founder of the Exodus Foundation and a friend of the Dalai Lama.

Significance of 10th March, the Tibetan National Uprising Day:
China’s invasion of Tibet began in the eastern provinces from 1949 onwards. Within the next ten years, they occupied Lhasa, the capital city. On 10th of March that year, Tibetans marched to the streets of Lhasa. The uprising was crushed, forcing the Dalai Lama to escape to India.

1st rally: Martin Place (between Castlereagh St and Elizabeth St), Sydney; 12 pm - 1 pm
2nd rally: Chinese consulate, 39, Dunblane St, Camperdown; 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

For more information:
Tsering Kyinzom (Australia Tibet Council) 02 9283 3466