(TibetanReview.net, Mar13’20) – The national flag of Tibet was raised by more than 2,000 municipal authorities across Europe at their Town Halls on Mar 10 to mark the 61st Tibetan Uprising Day, according to the Office of Tibet, Brussels, Mar 13. Commemoration events were held in cities and towns across the free world, many with protest rallies in front of Chinese embassies.
Prominent among them included Schaerbeek and Watermael-Boitsfort of Brussels; Bastogne, Braive, and Tubize in other Belgian regions; Differdange in Luxembourg; is 2, Saint-Gratien, Thuin, Garde, Sambreville, Flobecq, Le Palais, Villeneuveloubet, Valence, Ceyrat, and Saint Genès in France; and Wels in Austria.
Tibet support groups in Europe have been organizing the Flag for Tibet campaign over the past 30 years.
The flag campaign was part of the commemoration of the Tibetan National Uprising Day by Tibetans and Tibet groups across the world.
In the UK, over a hundred Tibetans and supporters marched through the streets of central London on Mar 9. Carrying placards condemning ongoing human rights abuses in Tibet, the protesters chanted “Stop the killing in Tibet” as they marched from opposite Downing Street to the Chinese embassy. The gathering was addressed by Member of Parliament Tim Loughton, World Uyghur Congress representative Rahima Mahmut, and Tiannanman square survivor Shao Jiang.
In Belgium’s capital Brussels, MEP Isabel Santos (S&D) from Portugal and Mr Samuel Cogolati, member of Federal Parliament of Belgium, were among the people who addressed the Tibetan gathering. Ms Santos, a member of Tibet Interest Group in the European Parliament, called for continued Tibetan fight for their national and human rights. Mr Cogolati, Ecolo/Green, vowed to raise the issue of Tibet’s environment with Belgian government later that afternoon in parliament.
In Lithuania’s capital Vilnius, Tibet Support Groups and friends of Tibet commemorated the occasion by holding a peaceful picket in front of the Chinese Embassy. The gathering was addressed by two MPs, Andrius Navickas and Mantas Adomenas, and received extensive media coverage.
In Mexico City, members of Tibet Mx Support Group, made up of Mexican volunteer, held a protest in front of the Chinese embassy.
