Tibetans in Exile Call for Immediate Release of Tibet's Heroes.
Four days in little over a month; 19 July, 1 August, 19 August and 21 August, marked the beginnings of a revolution as five brave Tibetans; O'dho, Apha Bhomo, Rongye Adak, Lothok and Adruk Lopo were imprisoned on those dates for speaking out what is lying in every Tibetan’s heart: the wish for unity, truth, freedom and peace.
Tibetan People’s Movement led by four leading NGOs; Tibetan Women’s Association, GuChuSum: Movement of Ex-Political Prisoners, Students for a Free Tibet (India) and National Democratic Party of Tibet, organised a signature campaign in McLeod Ganj on 28th August 2007. The Signature Campaign was held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and people from different parts of the world; tourists, residents of McLeod, monks, adults and teenagers, gathered to take part in this action by signing the two different set of petitions. One set was addressed to the President of the International Olympics Committee, Mr. Jacques Rogge and another to the Director of the United Nation’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Ms. Carolyn Hannan. We appealed to the international organisations to use their power and demand the unconditional and immediate release of O'dho, Apha Bhomo, Rongye Adak, Lothok and Adruk Lopo.
At 6:30 pm the same day, a small crowd was already waiting in the main square for the candlelight vigil to show our support and solidarity with the detained political prisoners. Around 700 Tibetans and supporters participated in the vigil and the public gathering. The procession flowed in McLeod Ganj's two main streets. Tibetans attending the vigil recited prayers for world peace and for all sentient beings. The weather was on our side, saving the lights of hope that the crowd was carrying. Tibetans and western supporters gathered in the central courtyard of Tsuglakhang, the main temple, and sat down as the speeches started. The cold weather was thwarted by the heat of the hundreds of candles, which added warmth to our bodies and hearts. The first speaker of the night was Adak's nephew, Ven. Tseten, who talked about the five political prisoners while a screen projected repeated pictures of the prisoners and pictures of recent happenings in Lithang, where Rongye Adak was arrested.
The following message: "Freedom of expression, Freedom of faith, Banned in Tibet" was flashed regularly on the white screen board. Last night in McLeod Ganj, expression was powerful, faith was strong and hope was in our hearts. The light from the flickering candles illuminated the temple complex as people went home and hopefully the five Tibetans in detention felt our concern and support for them.