students for a free TIBET

Dear Mike, Thank you to everyone who has taken action in support of the Tibetans in Ngaba, eastern Tibet.  Now we have an opportunity to press Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, to denounce China's ongoing crackdown. From May 15-18, Van Rompuy – a top EU official – will visit China for the first time in his presidency. TAKE ACTION: Send a letter urging Van Rompuy to make Ngaba and Kirti Monastery a central message of his China visit. Thank you also to everyone who donated in response to my recent message; your generous support sustains our important work for Tibet. I was encouraged to read that U.S Secretary Clinton and Vice-President Biden publicly took the Chinese government to task this week over its 'deplorable' human rights record. Together, we can increase the multilateral pressure on the Chinese government to stop its military siege on Kirti monastery.  The situation in Ngaba, eastern Tibet remains critical with Chinese authorities escalating their attacks on Kirti monks and now students. But Tibetans remain defiant and continue their nonviolent standoff against armed Chinese troops. Please take action to urge President Van Rompuy to press China to end the seige: https://secure3.convio.net/sft/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=798 On Monday, Tibetans and their supporters were on hand to protest China's delegation in Washington, DC. View photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfthq. Together, let's keep the pressure on! Thank you for all that you do for Tibet. In solidarity, Tenzin Dorjee (Tendor) Executive Director P.S. If you haven't already, please read my message of hope below. --- On May 4th, Amnesty International honored His Holiness the Dalai Lama at its 50th anniversary event in Los Angeles. During the presentation, I had the opportunity to represent SFT and ask a question on stage. As His Holiness exited with his entourage, he stopped to speak with a few of us. I held out a khata(traditional greeting scarf) and as I greeted him, he held my hands and said, "Don't give up; you all must continue your work. Never lose hope, because change is definitely coming." He went on to say that in light of the increasing pace of change in China, it is important to work with the Chinese people – writers, intellectuals, artists, the opinion-makers of society. The previous day, I had spoken at a conference bringing together Chinese dissidents, Tibetan activists, Mongolians, Uyghurs, and Taiwanese to discuss opportunities and develop strategies for advancing our respective struggles for freedom, democracy, and human rights.  I explained to His Holiness that our global network was engaging in strategic Chinese outreach by connecting with key democracy advocates, writers, artists, students, lawyers and intellectuals. He assured me our efforts will make a difference and that change is imminent.  In that moment, I felt the immensity of the work ahead of us, but also had the distinct feeling that victory was inevitable. With your help we can bring about freedom in Tibet. Please donate today to support SFT's work.  http://sft.convio.net/site/Donation2?df_id=1345&1345.donation=form1 As we build new and strategic alliances, we must continue to challenge China's abuses in Tibet at every turn. I was reminded of this minutes after His Holiness left, when I joined Lobsang, the official videographer for the award ceremony. Lobsang is from Ngaba, the county in Amdo, Tibet that is under attack by Chinese security forces. His 15-year-old cousin, Norbu, was shot dead by China's armed police on March 16th, 2008 for taking part in a peaceful protest for Tibetan freedom. Three years after the day Norbu was shot, Phuntsok Jarutsang, a 20-year-old monk, lit himself on fire in an act of protest against China's repression, and troops have since laid siege on Kirti monastery.  Thanks to the more than 4,500 people on this list who have taken action, China's crackdown has not gone unnoticed. Please send a letter now to U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urging them to raise Tibet and human rights during next week's U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue.   Please sign now: http://sft.convio.net/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=792 Together, we can ensure that one day soon, people like Lobsang – and all Tibetans – are united with their families and homeland.  Please donate today: http://sft.convio.net/site/Donation2?df_id=1345&1345.donation=form1 Thank you for all you do for Tibet, Tenzin Dorjee (Tendor) Executive Director