Today, April 9th, is the day in which San Francisco will host the Olympic Torch Relay and--just like in Paris--there shall certainly be plenty of protests against China's policies regarding Tibet's freedom, China's economic. military, and political support of the genocide in Darfur, and the oppression of the Uighurs (Muslims of Turkic descent in the Chinese Province of Xinjiang). I am hoping for a day free of violence; that the protesters will engage in civil disobedience of the likes of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi. Perhaps protesters could simply turn their backs as the torch goes by? Please, please, please no violence.
(Image credit: Reporters Without Borders, rsf.org)
Civil disobedience would make the point more strongly, I think - the Dalai Lama would never condone violence.
However - the point has to be made - and not just by protesters. The heads of state of the world have to say "NO" - and you know that is not going to happen. The Olympics will go on.
Posted by: melanie | April 09, 2008 at 05:58 AM
I'm with you 100% here. I'm all for standing up for what you believe in, but it must be done peacefully, I think.
People seem to forget the power of using their voice and their actions rather than their might to make change.
*fingers crossed for a peaceful day*
Posted by: Courtney | April 09, 2008 at 09:55 AM