Tibetan Activists Project Messages of Hope while the Empire State Building is Lit in Chinese Colors Favorite 

Practitioner: 

Date: 

Oct 1 2009

Location: 

New York City

On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the communist takeover of China, Tibet activists projected messages of support for human rights and freedom from inside and outside of the Empire State Building, countering China’s public relations stunt to bathe the building in red and yellow light. “NY [Hearts] Human Rights” was projected from inside the ESB onto a nearby building. At the same time, the Tibetan flag and other Tibetan message of freedom were projected onto buildings surrounding the ESB. Throughout the day, Tibetans and their supporters rallied in front of the main entrance.

“The Chinese government hoped to use the Empire State Building to garner support and legitimacy for its 60 years of communist rule, but instead they provoked a public backlash,” said Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “Contrary to what the Chinese government wanted from this public relations stunt, the message projected from New York last night showed that support for freedom and human rights in Tibet and China will always outshine the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda.”

Along with a coalition of Tibetan organizations and Tibet Support Groups, Students for a Free Tibet will be requesting that the Empire State Building’s management to light the building in honor of the Tibetan people’s peaceful struggle for human rights, freedom and cultural preservation.

“In the face of China’s brutal occupation, Tibetans have demonstrated an incredible commitment to peace and non-violence. We hope the Empire State Building will see our peaceful freedom struggle as something truly worth celebrating,” said Tenzin Dorjee, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet.

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