ON THE BARRICADES: Global Resistance Roundup, April-August 2008

ON THE BARRICADES: Global Resistance Roundup, April-August 2008
https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/onthebarricades
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Torch route protests:

* NEPAL: Torch protester arrested on Mount Qomolangma (Everest)

* JAPAN: Taiwanese Tibetan tries to grab torch

* AUSTRALIA: "Minor skirmishes" along torch route

* INDONESIA: Torch protesters held back

* HONG KONG: Pro-democracy protests mark torch run

* VIETNAM: Protesters held ahead of torch run

* SOUTH KOREA: Scuffles with China supporters, attempted self-immolation

Related:

* GREECE: Tibet protesters blockade IOC meeting

Protests at the Games themselves:

* HONG KONG: Pro-democracy protest hours before opening ceremony

* CHINA: Journalist arrested covering Tibet demo

* Five scale building and unfurl banner

* Expelled demonstrator moves on to embassy

* US protester paints hotel room in Tibet protest

* Christian activist defends China protest

* HONG KONG: Protester shouts slogans at equestrian event

* Tibet flag smuggled into event

* Six protesters at equestrian arena

* Americans detained after protests

* CHINA: Polish medallist shaves head in Tibet protest

* HONG KONG: British protester drops banner from bridge

http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-04/23/content_8036235.htm

Nepal expels would-be anti-China protester from Mt. Qomolangma [Everest]

Special report: Tibet: Its Past and Present
KATMANDU, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has turned away a western climber
from Mt. Qomolangma after he was caught with a pro-Tibet independence banner
at a base camp, officials said Wednesday.
The climber, whose identity has not been released, was caught with the
"Free-Tibet" banner in his bags at Mt. Qomolangma's base camp, the THT
Online website quoted mountaineering officials in Katmandu as saying.
The climber is the first to be stopped by soldiers and policemen
stationed on the Nepalese side of the world's highest mountain to prevent
anti-China protests during the planned torch relay to the summit.
The Nepalese government has deployed soldiers on the southern side as a
precaution. The planned torch run will be held on the Chinese side of the
mountain.
Nepal's Home Affairs Ministry said Tuesday that appropriate security
measures have been taken to prevent any protest activities from taking place
on the Nepalese territory in connection with China's lighting of the Olympic
torch on Mount Himalaya.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/04/27/2003410415

Taiwanese national arrested in Nagano after torch protest
By Loa Iok-sin
STAFF REPORTER, WITH CNA
Sunday, Apr 27, 2008, Page 1
A Tibetan activist with Taiwanese nationality was arrested in Japan
yesterday after attempting to disrupt the Nagano leg of the Olympic torch
relay.
The vice president of the Tibetan Youth Congress’ Taiwan chapter, Tashi
Tsering (扎西慈仁), was arrested after he attempted to grab the Olympic torch
from Japanese table tennis player Ai Fukuhara, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh (葉非比) told the Taipei Times.

Tashi is from a Tibetan family that took refuge in India after China took
control of Tibet in the 1950s. Many of his relatives who remained in Tibet
were killed by Chinese authorities, Tashi told the Taipei Times prior to his
departure for Japan.

Although local police dispatched over 3,000 officers to safeguard the torch
relay, minor clashes broke out several times between Tibetan activists and
around 5,000 Chinese supporters after the torch relay started yesterday
morning, Yeh said.

Along with Tashi, four other Japanese activists were also arrested, she
said.

“Right now, he’s in custody at Nagano’s central police station,” Yeh said.
“He will be detained there for a 48-hour interrogation period during which
he will not be allowed any visitors.”

Taiwan’s representative office in Japan has already been notified of the
incident.

“The representative office will keep a close eye on the situation and
someone will go to see Tashi as soon as he is allowed to receive visitors,”
she said, adding that the diplomatic mission will try to assist Tashi in
whatever way it can.

Meanwhile, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Tashi
would likely be transferred to a prosecutors’ office after the 48-hour
custody period, and would probably be released tomorrow.

Some Tibet-support groups in Taiwan are also seeking to provide legal
assistance to Tashi, the source said.

Tashi was still unavailable for interview as of press time.

Meanwhile, leaders of 21 Taiwanese American groups have urged US President
George W. Bush to boycott the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics in
August, over China’s violent crackdown on Tibetan protesters and its
military intimidation of Taiwan.

In a letter dated April 24, the leaders told Bush that if he were to attend
the event, he “would be viewed as endorsing China’s appalling policies
toward Tibet and Taiwan.”

“In the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, China is carrying out
‘cultural genocide’ in Tibet. The United States must not be seen as
colluding in committing this crime,” the letter said.

Noting that Bush’s repeated calls for China to engage in dialogue with the
Dalai Lama “have all but fallen on deaf ears,” the statement said China’s
brutal suppression of protesters in Tibet should not be tolerated as
“business as usual.”

The statement dismissed a demand made by Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤)
that the Dalai Lama accept Tibet and Taiwan as “inalienable parts of China”
as a precondition for dialogue as “arrogant” and “imperialistic.”

“Hu is a dictator to be shunned, rather than an enlightened leader with whom
you should share the stage in celebrating the Olympics,” the statement said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/05/01/2003410715

Protesters call on Japan to release Tibetan Taiwanese
By Loa Iok-sin
STAFF REPORTER
Thursday, May 01, 2008, Page 1
Dozens of Tibetan and human rights activists shouted “Free Tibet! Free
Tashi!” yesterday during a demonstration in front of the Japanese
representative office in Taipei, calling on Japan to release Tashi Tsering
(札西慈仁) as soon as possible.
Tashi, an exiled Tibetan who holds a Taiwanese passport, was arrested in
Nagano, Japan, on charges of “forcible obstruction of business” when he
attempted to approach the Olympic torch during the Nagano leg of the relay.

Tashi was detained for 48 hours with no visitors allowed before being
transferred to a prosecutor on Monday. However, a decision was made to
extend his detention for 10 more days.

“At this point, officials from our representative office in Japan are not
allowed to visit him and we don’t know what awaits him after the extended
10-day detention — release, even longer detention, or indictment,” Ministry
of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh (葉非比) told the Taipei Times.

The activists found Japan’s handling of Tashi’s case unusual.

“Tashi did not act violently when he tried to approach the torch and he didn’t
have anything on him that could cause anyone physical harm either,” Own
Su-jei (翁仕杰), deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan-Tibet Exchange
Foundation, told the crowd. “Normally, such an act is not considered an
offense in Japan — or at most a very minor offense with the person released
after the 48-hour detention period.”

He said that three other Japanese who were arrested for throwing eggs at the
torch relay had already been released.

“The unusual handling of the case leads us to believe that Japan may be
under political pressure from China,” Own said. “We urge the Japanese
government to stand firm on the values of human rights and not to bow to
political pressure from China.”

Chinese president Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) is scheduled to visit Japan next
Wednesday.

After delivering the speech, Own, along with Taiwan Tibetan Welfare
Association president Tenzin Tsering and the Taipei Bar Association’s Human
Rights Protection Committee chairman Kao Yung-cheng (é«˜æ¶Œèª ), presented letters
addressed to Japan’s Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
the Nagano central police station, where Tashi is being detained.

The three were received by an official from the representative office who
promised to deliver the letters, but declined to comment further.

The activists also announced Nagano central police station’s telephone
number, urging all those who are concerned to call the agency.

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/france/small-scale-protest-as-olympic-torch-travels-through-malaysia-$1219671.htm
Small-scale protest as Olympic torch travels through Malaysia
Monday, 21 Apr 2008 13:28

A number of people were arrested in Kuala Lumpur
Printer friendly version
The Olympic torch has travelled through Malaysia today, with only a few
small-scale protests being reported.

The torch's 16.5 kilometres route was lined with riot police as the flame
made its way through the Asian nation before finishing outside the famous
Petronas Twin Towers.

Reports claim over 1,000 police and security forces were deployed to prevent
any repeat of the scenes experienced in London, Paris and San Francisco
where pro-Tibetan demonstrators staged large-scale protests.

Demonstrators worldwide are using the torch's passage through 22 countries,
from Athens to Beijing, as an opportunity to protest against China's human
rights record and its handling of recent uprisings in Tibet.

The only incident of any note today was when police in Kuala Lumpur arrested
a Japanese family of three, a Buddhist monk and a British woman.

The family had attempted to unfurl a Tibetan flag before the start of the
torch's relay but were quickly confronted by pro-Chinese supporters.

Authorities maintained the relay had been a success.

"It is a festive atmosphere here... and shows the good relationship we have
with Beijing," Olympic Committee of Malaysia president Imran Jaafar said.

The Olympic torch will now head to Indonesia, Australia, South Korea, Japan
and Vietnam before making its way to Beijing for the opening ceremony of the
2008 Olympics on August 8th.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/23/torch.relay.canberra/index.html?eref=rss_latest

Australian torch relay ends with minor skirmishes

CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe ended the
Australian leg of the Olympic torch relay Thursday, touching the flame to
light a cauldron after a run that was only slightly affected by anti-China
protests.
At least five people were arrested during the torch relay that ended up more
orderly than those in other countries but still heavy with people
demonstrating both for and against China, which will host the 2008 Olympics
in Beijing in August.
Police said the five were arrested for interfering with the event under
special powers enacted in the wake of massive protests against Chinese
policy toward Tibet.
The first scuffle took place at Reconciliation Place, where the relay began
shortly before 9 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Wednesday). The incident took
place shortly before the relay was to begin, prefaced by a ceremony of
cleansing and dancing conducted by Aboriginal Australians.
In all, 80 runners carried the torch through Canberra along with five-time
Olympic gold medalist swimmer Thorpe.
All along the route, and in a large crowd at the cauldron lighting, red
Chinese national flags vastly outnumbered Australian flags or banners from
any other nation along the route.
Many in attendance appeared to be Chinese students studying abroad in
Australia.
International demonstrators had vowed to show up 500-strong for the torch
relay to protest China's policy toward Tibet, which has long petitioned for
more democratic rights and freedoms, and China's human rights record.
Australian police countered armed with special powers -- enacted for the
relay -- to stop and search them.
Police reported some minor skirmishes between supporters of China and
pro-Tibet demonstrators near where the run began, but no arrests were made.
About 30 minutes into the run, a man ran into the street directly in front
of the torchbearer but was immediately pushed away by security and
apprehended by police
Shortly before the flame arrived in Canberra, police arrested a man and a
woman who were trying to unfurl a banner on Sydney's Harbour Bridge.
The relay route, already truncated from 20 km (12 miles) to 16 km (10
miles), was to thread past the Parliament House and within yards of the
Chinese Embassy.
Police put up meter-high fences along the route to keep the 80 torch runners
safe from protesters. About 350 police officers have been preparing for
weeks, armed with special powers to stop and search people for prohibited
items, from guns to eggs.
"We're quite optimistic, having talked to all the parties involved, that
it's going to be peaceful," said a spokesman for the Australian Federal
Police. "But we're obviously prepared in the event that it gets out of
hand."
Police described most of the day's skirmishes as minor, saying security and
law enforcement officers were able to break up disturbances before they
became violent.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had requested that the number of
Chinese "flame attendants" be limited during the run. The attendants, whose
job is to ensure that the torch is not improperly extinguished, were accused
of being too aggressive during protest-marred stops in other countries.
Only two of the attendants were visible as the run began.
Paul Bourke of the Australian Tibet Council said he expected about 500
supporters to descend on Canberra on Thursday to protest peacefully.
Thousands of Chinese students were also expected at the relay.
Early Wednesday morning, members of the Tibet Council used lasers to spell
out statements on the pylon wall of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The statements -- "Don't torch Tibet" and "China, Talk to the Dalai Lama" --
were beamed on to the bridge wall about 1 a.m. after the floodlights had
been turned off, Bourke said. They protested a plan to carry the torch
through Tibet and China's refusal to negotiate with the Tibetan spiritual
leader.
"We believe it would be unnecessarily provocative to run the torch relay
through the Tibetan areas," Bourke said.
He added that the International Olympic Committee, in awarding the Olympic
Games to China, said it would be a force for good in the country. But it
hasn't happened, Bourke said. Watch a timeline of the Olympics and
politics »
"There's still four months left for China to honor its commitment to rest of
the world, and it can do so by negotiating with the Dalai Lama to work
toward a lasting solution to the Tibet issue," he said.
Several hours later, a man and a woman were arrested as they tried to unfurl
a banner on the Harbour Bridge. Walsh, the police spokeswoman, would not
confirm local reports that the pair was trying to unveil a Tibetan flag.
Police cited the two protesters for violating a law that requires a permit
for any displays from the bridge.
Three men and a woman were also arrested for hanging a banner from a street
sign at King's Cross, Walsh said.
Security concerns prompted Pakistani officials to close the relay to the
public and hold it at a stadium in front of invited guests. India truncated
the route and kept protesters at bay by lining the route with thousands of
police officers and paramilitary troopers. But stops in some countries, such
as Argentina, Tanzania and Oman, have been trouble-free.
The flame arrived in Australia from a relatively incident-free jaunt through
Jakarta, Indonesia.

On Tuesday, torchbearers circled a track around Jakarta's main sports
stadium in front of invited guests and journalists in a relay that was
shortened to just over 4 miles (7 km). Watch the torch being lit in
Jakarta »
Indonesian police arrested six pro-Tibet protesters and took down
anti-Chinese banners and signs outside the sports complex, according to a
protest organizer. Police said they were charged with not having a permit to
stage a protest.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/22/asia/torch.php

Olympic torch protests thwarted in Jakarta

Reuters
Published: April 22, 2008

JAKARTA: The Olympic torch was paraded through a heavily guarded stadium in
Jakarta on Tuesday after the police stopped about 100 anti-Beijing
protesters from disrupting the latest leg of the torch's fraught journey
around the world.
Taufik Hidayat, an Indonesian badminton star and Olympic gold medalist,
lighted a caldron in front of a cheering crowd as about 2,500 police
officers and 1,000 troops guarded the relay, which has been a magnet for
anti-China protests in Europe and the Americas after Beijing's crackdown
last month on protests in Tibet.
About 80 athletes, officials and television and film stars took part in the
relay of seven kilometers, or four miles. Earlier in the day, there had been
a 30-minute standoff between the police and protesters outside the main gate
of Bung Karno Stadium, named after Sukarno, the first Indonesian president.
"I'm very proud to be part of this. I hope I can win a gold medal like four
years ago," Hidayat said after lighting the caldron.
The relay had originally been scheduled to pass through large stretches of
the bustling city, but sports officials later said the route would be
restricted to the vicinity of Bung Karno Stadium.
About 5,000 guests and accredited members of the media were invited to watch
the relay inside the stadium complex.
China had hoped the torch's journey would be a symbol of unity in the run-up
to the Beijing Games, but the relay has drawn anti-China protests, as well
as pro-China demonstrations, many involving Chinese studying overseas.
The protesters in Jakarta, grouped under the Indonesian Society for a Free
Tibet, shouted, "Free Tibet!" and held banners reading, "Olympics and crimes
against humanity cannot co-exist."
The police arrested a Dutch citizen taking part in the protest after he
failed to show his passport, said a local deputy police chief, Herri Wibowo.
"They said they had a permit to hold a rally, but they could not prove it,"
he said.
There have been several small demonstrations outside the Chinese Embassy in
Jakarta over Tibet.
Rita Subowo, chairwoman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, had urged
Indonesians to help make the Beijing Games a success.
"We should not mix sports with politics, race or religion. We must defend
the rights of athletes to compete in the Olympics," she said Monday. "I hope
the Chinese will be able to resolve their own internal matters."
The flame travels next to Canberra, where organizers said they were
re-routing the torch relay, scheduled for Thursday, away from the heart of
the Australian capital amid fears of clashes between pro-China and pro-Tibet
demonstrators.
Security concerns have also prompted changes to the torch route in Japan and
led to sponsors pulling out of a motorcade for the relay Saturday in the
city of Nagano.

http://article.wn.com/view/2008/05/02/Olympic_torch_run_through_Hong_Kong_despite_protests/Olympic torch run through Hong Kong despite protests Houston ChronicleTOOLS HONG KONG - Runners carried the Olympic flame through Hong Kongwithout disruption today, as large groups of flag-waving torch supportersshouted insults at pro-Tibet and human rights protesters, forcing them toseek refuge in police vans. One angry pro-China mob yelled, "Do you thinkthis is Paris?" to a small group of pro-democracy supporters as theypeacefully demonstrated near the start of the torch route.http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/29/olympicgames2008.china?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnewsProtesters held ahead of torch relay in VietnamAllegra Stratton and agenciesguardian.co.uk,Tuesday April 29 2008 11:30 BSTArticle historySeven anti-China protesters were arrested in Vietnam today ahead of thelatest leg of the Olympic torch relay in the country.Several of the demonstrators were detained after unfurling a banner andshouting "Boycott the Beijing Olympics" through a loudhailer at a market inthe capital, Hanoi, two witnesses said. Police refused to comment on theincident.The relay was being held in southern Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known asSaigon.Several police officers were stationed close to the starting point outsidethe city's 19th-century opera house. A group of pro-China supporters ralliedthere, waving flags and shouting slogans.Vietnamese authorities gave few details about the relay route, apparentlyfor security reasons.China and Vietnam fought a border war in 1979, but relations have improvedgreatly in recent years.Vietnam has assured its communist ally it will not let demonstrators disruptthe parade, though students have threatened to protest against China's claimto the Spratly Islands, which are claimed by both countries and severalothers.The torch arrived in Vietnam last night from North Korea, where tens ofthousands of citizens were mobilised to celebrate the relay in Pyongyang.At many of its 18 stops around the world, the relay has been beset byprotests against China's human rights record and a recent crackdown in Tibetafter anti-government riots. Large groups of flag-waving Chinese have alsoturned out at various points in the relay, sometimes clashing withprotesters.After Vietnam, the flame will travel to the Chinese territories of Hong Kongand Macau before heading to the mainland, where it is scheduled to visit therestive Tibet region and the top of Mount Everest http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/418953Seoul torch relay marred by gas-doused protesterREUTERS/LEE JAE-WONA torch bearer runs with plainclothes policemen during the Olympic torchrelay in central Seoul April 27, 2008.Apr 27, 2008 05:44 PMKWANG-TAE KIMAssociated Press WriterSEOUL, SOUTH KOREA–Chinese students clashed with anti-Beijing demonstratorsat the Olympic torch relay Sunday in Seoul, throwing rocks and punches atthe latest stop on the flame's troubled round-the-world journey.A North Korean defector tried to set himself on fire to halt the relay,where thousands of police guarded the flame from protesters blasting China'streatment of North Korean refugees.But the small groups of anti-China demonstrators were far outnumbered byseas of red-clad Chinese supporters who waved red national flags as theytook to the streets of the South Korean capital to defend the torch.Police deployed 8,000 officers, some running beside the flame while othersrode horses and bicycles with the relay through the city, which hosted the1988 Summer Olympics.China's crackdown on violent protests against Chinese rule in Tibet hastriggered attempts to disrupt the torch run celebrating the August games atother stops of the torch relay.In South Korea, many critics focused on Beijing's treatment of defectors whotry to escape their lives of hardship in North Korea.Thousands of North Koreans have fled across the loosely controlled Chineseborder and many remain in hiding in China. If caught, they are deported byChinese authorities and face likely imprisonment in life-threateningconditions back in the North.The man who tried to immolate himself, 45-year-old Son Jong Hoon, had led anunsuccessful public campaign to save his brother from execution in theNorth, where he was accused of spying after the two met secretly in China.About an hour into the relay, Son poured gasoline on himself in the middleof a street, but police quickly surrounded him and carried him away beforehe could set himself on fire.Two other demonstrators tried to storm the torch but failed to hinder its15-mile trip from Olympic Park – built in honour of the 1988 Summer Games –to City Hall.Police said five people, including a Chinese student, were arrested.Scuffles broke out near the relay start between a group of 500 Chinesesupporters and about 50 demonstrators criticizing Beijing who carried abanner that read: "Free North Korean refugees in China." The students threwstones and water bottles as some 2,500 police tried to keep the two sidesapart.One Chinese student swatted at the demonstrators with a flagpole. Anotherstudent was arrested for allegedly throwing rocks, said an official at apolice station near Olympic Park. The official asked not to be named becausethe investigation was under way."The Olympics are not a political issue," said Sun Cheng, 22, a Chinesestudent studying the Korean language in Seoul. "I can't understand why theKorean activist groups are protesting human rights or other diplomaticissues.''Thousands of Chinese paced the torch on the 41/2-hour-long relay, somechanting, "Go China, go Olympics!"Before the relay, two South Koreans who had been chosen to run said theywould boycott it to protest China's actions in Tibet.The torch arrived in Seoul from Japan, where Chinese supporters alsooutnumbered protesters who failed to disrupt the run.After Seoul, the torch is scheduled to make its first-ever trip to NorthKorea for a relay Monday.Officials from North Korea's Olympic Committee, the Pyongyang city vicemayor, and the Chinese ambassador to Pyongyang were at the airport earlySunday to greet the torch's arrival, APTN North Korea reported. A 12.4-milerelay will take place in the streets of Pyongyang on Monday.http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/367680/cs/1/Tibetan activities stage peaceful protest outside IOC meetingIndia GazetteThursday 5th June, 2008(IANS)Tibetan activists staged a peaceful protest outside the venue of anInternational Olympic Committe (IOC) conference in Athens Thursday, beforebeing removed by police.A handful of activists from the Students For a Free Tibet blocked theentrance of the venue, shouting 'shame on the IOC' and 'Tibetans are dying'.The activists were demanding the IOC cancel the Olympic torch relay in Tibetnext week and put pressure on China to improve its record on human rights.The international network Students for a Free Tibet, which has disrupted thetorch relay along the route from ancient Olympia to the rest of Europe, saidit would continue to hold mass demonstrations around the globe, and probablyin Beijing, during the Aug 8-24 event.The torch relay is scheduled to travel to Tibet June 19 and stay for threedays but organisers said the Olympic flame would only end up spending oneday in the capital, Lhasa.The group said the IOC had not put any pressure on China or its Olympicorganising committee BOCOG to improve the situation in Tibet, which itdescribed as 'critical'.China says 22 people died in anti-government violence in Tibet's capital ofLhasa in March, while Tibet supporters say many more were killed in freedomprotests.http://au.sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news/article/-/4869184/democracy-activists-protest-outside-hk-olympic-venueDemocracy activists protest outside HK Olympic venueAFP - August 8, 2008, 10:18 pmHong Kong pro-democracy activists staged a protest here late Friday outsidea reception for Olympic competitors and guests hours before the officialopening of the Beijing Games.Around 40 protesters held placards and shouted slogans as competitors andguests drove to the reception venue in Shatin, where the Olympic equestrianevents will be held from early Saturday."We want to protest against the Chinese government's failure to live up toits commitment when it made the bid for hosting the Olympics seven yearsago," said Hong Kong lawmaker Emily Lau, founder of protest group TheFrontier."We hope China will honour the Olympics spirit by releasing all thepolitical dissents, human rights lawyers and religious groups they havearrested," she said.Members of another group, the Alliance in Support of Democratic Movement inChina, shouted: "One world, universal human rights, one dream, account forthe June 4th massacre," a reference to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacreand a play on the "One World One dream" official catchphrase of the BeijingGames.There was no sign of trouble, with police officers at the site almostoutnumbering the protest group.Earlier Friday, a British man was arrested in Hong Kong after climbing on tothe city's largest bridge and unfurling two protest banners.Matt Pearce, 33, climbed on to a narrow girder in the centre of the bridgewearing a horse costume -- a nod to the Olympic equestrian events being heldin Hong Kong -- and carrying a guitar.He unfurled two large red banners that read: "The People of China wantfreedom from oppression" and "We want human rights and democracy."Hong Kong enjoys much greater freedoms than mainland China, including theright to protest.Three activists were this week refused entry to Hong Kong and at least oneplanned to take part in a peaceful protest to coincide with the Olympics.http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/13/olympics2008.chinathemediaBritish journalist detained by Beijing police after covering Free TibetprotestIndependent Television News journalist detained after attempting to coverprotest close to main Olympic zoneTania Branigan and Jonathan Watts in Beijingguardian.co.uk,Wednesday August 13 2008 12:00 BSTJournalists were harangued while covering a small Free Tibet protest inBeijingPolice in Beijing roughed up and detained a British journalist after hecovered a Free Tibet protest close to the city's main Olympic zone earliertoday.The incident appeared to be the clearest breach yet of the host nation'spromise of free media access during the Games.John Ray, of Independent Television News, said he was pinned down by police,dragged along the ground and pushed into a police van.He said the authorities had also confiscated his equipment, pulled off hisshoes, filmed him and accused him of trying to unfurl a Tibetan flag.After his release some 30 minutes later, he said he was shaken but unharmed.Beijing police said eight foreign Free Tibet protesters, including seven UScitizens and a Japanese national, were arrested and their deportation wasbeing supervised. They made no comment about Ray's treatment.Today's incident, which came five days into the Games, is likely toembarrass the International Olympic Committee.It is also awkward for the Beijing hosts, who are keen to keep the spotlighton the Olympics, which are being covered by more than 20,000 foreignjournalists.The incident happened when a number of activists from Students for a FreeTibet gathered at the entrance and on a bridge inside the Ethnic Minoritiespark, less than half a mile from the Bird's Nest stadium.A British passport holder, who escaped arrest, was also among theprotesters.When demonstrators tried to unfurl a Tibetan Snow Lion flag and banner onthe bridge, a group of foreign journalists attempted to enter the park tofilm them.http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=eb78b792-e0f9-4a60-92dc-9a7c56955b7eBeijingolympics2008_Special&&Headline=Protest+continues%2c+5+detained+in+BeijingProtest continues, 5 detained in BeijingGillian Wong, Associated PressBeijing, August 15, 2008First Published: 22:38 IST(15/8/2008)Last Updated: 22:41 IST(15/8/2008)Five foreign activists were deported after they scaled a landmark buildingin Beijing on Friday to unfurl a “Free Tibet” banner over an Olympicsbillboard in the latest protest during the games.Students for a Free Tibet said the protesters — three Americans, a Britonand a Canadian — were detained by police after hanging the banner from thenew headquarters of state-owned China Central Television, which is stillunder construction and is notable for having a shape likened to a twisted“Z.”Britain’s Sky News shot footage of the protest, showing the helmetedactivists draped in Tibetan nationalist flags and dangling from ropes asthey hung the black-and-white banner about 6 meters off the ground. Policequickly took the banner down. The activists chose the CCTV building becauseit represents the government’s use of state media to spread propaganda,spokesman Kurt Langer said.“They’re trying to whitewash their human rights record and present a prettypicture to the world when, in fact, behind the facade is an ugly reality andthe situation in Tibet is as bad as it’s been in a very long time,” saidLanger.The Beijing Public Security Bureau said in a faxed reply to questions thatthe protesters had “engaged in activities that violated Chinese law.” Policehave ordered the activists to leave the country, it said.The group’s campaign director, Kate Woznow, confirmed the five activistswere deported later on Friday.It was the latest in a series of protests by activists who have sought touse the Olympic Games to criticise China for alleged repressive rule inTibet.http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/world/deported-woman-olympics-protest-2486.htmlDeported Woman Begins Olympics Protest at Chinese EmbassyBy Huw GreenwoodEpoch Times Staff Aug 10, 2008Share: Facebook Digg del.icio.us StumbleUponDaisy Wood across the road from the Chinese Embassy in London, August 10th,2008. Ms Wood was expelled from Beijing on August 8th for demonstrating nearTiananmen Square to raise awareness about China's human rights record. Sheplans to remain across from (Huw Greenwood/The Epoch Times)A British woman expelled from China for protesting on Tiananmen Square justhours before the Olympics opening ceremony has taken up her protest acrossthe street from the Chinese Embassy in London.Daisy Wood intends to remain there until the end of the Olympic Games onAugust 24.Ms Wood, who has been based mainly in Nepal and India for the last threeyears, had researched the plight of the Tibetans, Uighurs and Falun Gongbefore departing for China. She felt it was important to see with her owneyes, as a witness.“The Chinese people are great, they can't help the lack of knowledge they'vegot," she told The Epoch Times. "They're only told what they're allowed tobe told, it's not their fault. But actually the human rights violations havegot worse since the Olympics was awarded to [China].”Ms Wood said that if the Chinese authorities had fulfilled their promises toimprove human rights when they were initially awarded the Games in 2001, thesituation could have been a positive one.After staying up all night making her banner with felt-tip pens, Ms Woodleft her hotel at 5.30 am on the day of the opening ceremony.She said the atmosphere in Beijing was oppressive due to the heat, thethronging crowds and the overbearing security presence. Her discomfort wasamplified by the fact that her freshly-shaved head was disguised by a heavywig.Ms Wood spent a tense couple of hours trying to pick her moment — hoping formaximum exposure to as many western journalists as possible. At 10.30 am shejumped over a fence in a prominent area near Tiananmen Square, in view ofMao's portrait.The sight of her banner drew gasps from the crowd, she said, before she wasseized by two policemen.She was not treated roughly, although her money was stolen and it was madevery clear that she would “not be welcome in China ever again.” The policeseemed resentful that they had to miss the opening ceremony of the Games.She was put on a plane at 2 am.“Every day I feel lucky to have my passport and every right that gives me—tobe able to speak and move freely," she said.The seed for Ms Wood's journey to Beijing was planted three years ago inDharamsala, India, and the trip was financed by her work as a live-incaregiver in London. Although initially others were to be involved, Ms Wooddecided that it would be safer to carry out the demonstration alone.http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/276062/%20class=A hotel room at the Novotel is seen after it was painted with slogans byAmerican pastor Eddie Romero, in Beijing Wednesday Aug 6, 2008.In perhaps the strangest protest of the Beijing Olympics so far, themiddle-aged American pastor checked into two high-class downtown hotels thisweek, filmed himself painting the walls of his rooms with activist sloganslike "Beijing 2008 Our world Our nightmare" and then disappeared. (APPhoto/Aritz Parra) ** SPAIN OUT, HONG KONG OUT **Friday, 08 August 2008U.S. pastor paints Beijing hotel rooms in protestCara Anna - The Associated PressBEIJING -- An American pastor checked into upscale hotels in the Olympicshost city this week, filmed himself painting two of his rooms with sloganslike "Beijing 2008 Our world Our nightmare" and then disappeared. Withoutpaying.Eddie Romero's unusual protest, now making the rounds on YouTube, showsforeigners can still sneak through the tight security measures China imposedto keep potential troublemakers away from the games, which start today.The net tightened even more Thursday.A Hong Kong lawmaker said immigration officials deported three U.S.-basedChinese democracy activists after denying them entry to the territory, whichis the site of Olympic equestrian events. A second protest by threeAmericans in Tiananmen Square, including anti-abortion activist the Rev.Patrick Mahoney, was stopped by security agents who led them away.Locals who threaten to take some of the shine off the games get toughertreatment.At least two women who have protested being evicted from their homes nearTiananmen Square were rounded up late Wednesday and early Thursday and takento a police station, one of them told The Associated Press.In a telephone call, Zhang Ma said she was being held with the other woman,Zhang Wei, and several other residents but could not give other details. Shehung up quickly, saying she was being watched and was not supposed to talkto reporters.Romero's friends said the preacher was in hiding, but planned to surrenderto Chinese authorities as soon as the Olympics end Aug. 24.They said he began thinking about his elaborate, one-man protest of China'shuman-rights abuses when Beijing was selected as the host for the 2008Olympics seven years ago.On Tuesday, in a sometimes unsteady hand -- he had to teach himself how topaint -- the California-based pastor splashed the walls of his two hotelrooms with demands for the release of five Chinese activists. He slashedpillows and staged mock killings with stuffed people propped on the bed, redpaint spattered like blood on the headboard."One down," Romero whispers, looking into the video camera. Bespectacled andgray-haired, he holds up a finger in his transformed Novotel Peace Hotelroom. "One down."Romero, who appears to be alone, tells the camera he doesn't want to disruptthe games. He talks about religious freedom for groups that remain highlysensitive with the Chinese government -- Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims,the Falun Gong spiritual movement."Freedom's a scary thing for them, and by 'them' I mean the Chinesecommunists," he says.Before starting work on the second hotel room, he prays.After finishing his protests, Romero, who is a part-time philosophyprofessor at Mt. San Antonio Community College in Walnut, Calif., taped thedoor keys to the rooms' "Do Not Disturb" tags, hung them outside and hadsupporters tell journalists by e-mail where to find them.The four-star Novotel and the Traders Hotel, both part of internationalchains, said the case was in the hands of police. A Beijing policespokeswoman said she knew nothing of it."We really don't understand why he did this," said Lanny Liu, communicationsmanager at Traders. Romero apparently slipped out of room 417 before dawnWednesday, leaving damage that Liu said cost nearly $1,500 to clean up. "Wejust want to find the person and ask him to pay the bill."At the Novotel, room 1602 already was restored Thursday afternoon, withmachines drying the carpet and a smell of cleaning fluid in the air.Downstairs, manager Marc Cherrier spread his hands and shrugged hugely. "Ihave no idea," he said of what happened.Romero's friends said he had planned to paint four hotel rooms, but skippedtwo because of security concerns.At one hotel, he found the lobby full of security agents and left aftertelling officials he had walked into the wrong building. At the second, hefound two security agents searching his room, but convinced them there wasnothing suspicious about the paint he had."That was a close one," he says later into his camera.The protest is heartfelt, said Bob Fu, leader of the Texas-based China AidAssociation who is among a group of Romero supporters monitoring the protestfrom California."This is not like middle-age crisis, craziness," Fu said. "He's verygenuine, a caring, loving pastor. And very creative."Another friend, British-based pastor Tony Thomas, said Romero had no specialconnection to China, but he had a vision for the project in 2001 afterwatching Beijing win the right to host the games.Thomas said Romero hatched the protest plan -- which he eventually named"The Gadfly Project" -- after consulting with a few close friends at hisHacienda Christian Fellowship church and talking with American activists whocampaign for Chinese rights."It's gone quite amazingly well," Thomas said. "From the outset, it wasconsidered an almost impossible thing to happen unless God was in it."The friends said Romero was occasionally logging on to make blog posts whilein hiding. He speaks little Chinese, but has dodged authorities so far, andeven managed to shop at a Wal-Mart."Can you believe it? I'm in Sam's Club in Beijing!" Romero says in oneInternet posting. "Will be relieved when all is complete," he says inanother.http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_080908IDN_swindell_returns_KS.2ea592f8.htmlBoise activist defends China protest03:01 PM PDT on Saturday, August 9, 2008By YSABEL BILBAOAidan Brezonick-KTVBChristian activist Brandi Swindell is back in Boise after being deportedfrom China.BOISE -- Boise Christian activist Brandi Swindell is back home today afterher attempts to take on communist China and fight for human rights.The trip to China was not supposed to end until Saturday, but that changedwhen Chinese officials took Swindell into custody, terminated her touristvisa and sent her home.It's a controversial visit that has some saying was nothing more than apublicity stunt.But Swindell says it was a fight for human rights and the Olympics providedthe perfect venue.The 29-year old Christian activist flew home a day earlier than expectedafter being kicked out of China.Swindell and two other Americans have made national news over the past fewdays for their protest in Tiananmen Square.Swindell says it was fight for human rights, a way to educate the worldabout China and their persecution of Christians, Tibetan Monks and othersdiscriminated against by a Communist government.She says the government is trying to hide that under that pomp andcircumstance of the Olympic Games."While we did not want to in any way, protest the Olympic Games, we felt itwas a significant opportunity to raise awareness and be a voice for thosewho are not allowed to speak out against the Chinese government," saidSwindell.Swindell's mission was to gain awareness with the national media. Some ofher actions were planned and others were not."We knew what we were going into, we knew we would be detained, we knew wecould be arrested, we knew we could face jail time, we understood all ofthat, but we also knew that we would probably be safer as foreigners thansome of the Chinese people and so it was an incredible opportunity to tryand be a voice for them," said Swindell.Despite her work there, Swindell's efforts have not always been praised.Some have called this a publicity stunt.She defends her actions and says she would do it again."There is a lot of people that believe in what we did and they understandour heart and that's all that matters to me A handful of people who don'tlike me because I am Christian and pro-life, big deal," said Swindell.Swindell says the tickets cost about $2,000 each. She doesn't have a grandtotal for the trip, but says it was paid for by supporters.Swindell says the Chinese government told them they would have to pay$10,000 for new tickets. The three protesters refused and Swindell says theChinese government ended up footing the bill to deport them.The two other Americans who protested with Swindell were Rev. PatrickMcHoney from Washington, D.C., and Mike McMonagle from Philadelphia.http://www.nbc4.com/news/17137653/detail.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080809/wl_asia_afp/oly2008hongkongequestrianprotestHK pro-democracy activist ejected from Olympic venueby Lynne O'Donnell Sat Aug 9, 1:09 PM ETHONG KONG (AFP) - Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker "Longhair" LeungKwok-hung was Saturday ejected from the Olympic equestrian venue aftermounting an anti-China protest calling for improved human rights.Leung stood in the stands and shouted in English: "Freedom for China" and"Human rights for China."He and an associate, Koo Sze-yiu, who shouted the same slogans in Chinese,were lifted out of the stands by security guards who took them to asealed-off area of the Shatin venue.They also held up a banner that read: "Freedom for China. No dictatorship."Earlier, a Hong Kong student who planned to unfurl a Tibetan flag inside thevenue was forcibly removed before she could mount her protest, organisersand the activist said.Leung's protest came after China's only entry in the three-day eventingcompetition, 18-year-old Alex Hua Tian, completed his dressage round.Leung appeared to use Hua's presence as the first equestrian competitor everto represent China as a platform to raise the issue of human rightsviolations in China.The lawmaker is well-known in the southern Chinese city for his frequentprotests and campaign stunts on a range of issues.Asked how he felt about being the focus of a protest, Hua said: "I'm hugelyproud to ride for my country, there is no better feeling than that. I don'thave the full picture of the situation so I can't comment or speculate."Hua was given 50 penalty points to move to a respectable 10th place early inthe second session of the dressage component of the three-day eventing.Student Christina Chan, who has a history of staging protests against theChinese government, said she and a friend smuggled the banned Tibetan flaginto the Olympic venue but she was ejected before she could display it.Security staff called police after 21-year-old Chan, a part-time model whostudies philosophy, refused to leave. She was surrounded and physicallyremoved from the stadium.Organisers said Chan and her companion, who was also made to leave, hadtried to unfold the Tibetan flag in breach of International OlympicCommittee rules that say no political slogans can be displayed at the Games.Chan is Hong Kong's most famous female protester after staging a pro-Tibetdemonstration during the city's leg of the Olympic torch relay in May.A Hong Kong government source later said Leung had informed Olympic securityauthorities of his plans to stage the protest.But Leung had "given an undertaking not to disrupt any of the riders," saidthe source, who did not want to be named.This was in stark contrast to Chan, who caused a prolonged ruckus during themorning dressage session when Australian Clayton Fredericks was in thearena.Fredericks said later he was aware of Chan's protests but said his horse BenAlong Time remained under control.Olympic organisers here specifically said before the start of the Games thatTibetan flags would be banned inside the venues.Tibet is one of the most contentious political issues facing China'scommunist rulers, and Hong Kong authorities are determined not to causeembarrassment despite the territory's tradition of freedom of speech.Security is tight for the equestrian events in Hong Kong, which enjoys muchgreater freedoms than mainland China, including the right to protest.Organisers do not have the power to arrest anyone who violates the IOC ruleson political slogans, but can make them leave the venue.http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/08/08/canadatibet-flag.html?ref=rssProtester hides Tibet flag under Canadian flag at Olympic eventLast Updated: Saturday, August 9, 2008A student who snuck a Tibetan flag into an Olympic equestrian event byhiding it under a Canadian flag has been removed by officials, according toa report.Christina Chan was sitting with another protester Friday in the front row ofthe dressage arena in the Sha Tin district of Hong Kong, according to anarticle on the BBC's website.When the two tried to unveil a Tibetan flag they had concealed underneath aCanadian one, they were quickly apprehended by event security officials andcovered with a blue cloth.Chan was then carried out of the venue after she refused to leave. The otherprotester was also ejected from the event."She was sort of disturbing other spectators around her, which is againstthe house rules," equestrian event spokesman Mark Pinkstone said.Chinese Olympic officials have said only flags from the 205 competingnations can be displayed during the Games, meaning the Tibetan flag cannotbe hoisted during any of the official events.Chan had previously protested China's treatment of Tibet during the Olympictorch relay in Hong Kong in May, according to the BBC.At that time, a young woman named Christina Chan and carrying a Tibetan flagwas hustled into a police van after a crowd of about 30 people shoutedobscenities at her, pushing and shoving police officers who had surroundedthe university student to provide protection."What right do they have to take me away? I have a right to express myopinion," Chan, 21, said of the police action.Elsewhere Friday, a British man was taken away by police after unfurlingbanners that denounced China's human rights record on a major bridge in HongKong ahead of the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony Friday.Matt Pearce, a longtime Hong Kong resident from Bristol, England, hung twobanners on road signs on Hong Kong's Tsing Ma Bridge that said, "We wanthuman rights and democracy" and "The people of China want freedom fromoppression."Officials shut down traffic on the bridge's upper deck where Pearce wasprotesting.Protests against China's human rights record and its policy in Tibet havebeen staged around the globe in the run-up to the Beijing Summer Olympics,which kicked off Friday.Some have accused China of backsliding on human rights since it was awardedthe Games, citing continued repression in Tibet following a violentcrackdown on dissents in March.http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/09/asia/AS-OLY-Hong-Kong-Protests.phpActivists protest at Olympic equestrian eventThe Associated PressPublished: August 9, 2008HONG KONG: Protesters displayed the Tibetan flag and chanted pro-democracyslogans at an Olympic equestrian event in Hong Kong on Saturday, but wereremoved and banned from the venue.Two American activists from the New York-based Students for a Free Tibetunfurled the Tibetan flag among the spectators at the equestrian stadium inHong Kong's suburban Sha Tin district.Earlier in the day, Hong Kong university student Christina Chan and anotherprotester tried to unveil a Tibetan flag that was concealed behind aCanadian flag but security officers covered them with a piece of clothbefore it was fully exposed.Radical opposition lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung and a fellow activist held up apiece of paper that said "No dictatorship" and chanted "End one-party rule,"referring to the Chinese Communist Party's monopoly on power.A Students for a Free Tibet statement identified the Americans as MatthewBrowner-Hamlin from Anchorage, Alaska and Brianna Cayo Cotter from SanFrancisco, California.Security officers removed all six protesters. Leung, Chan and their twofellow demonstrators have been banned from the remaining equestriancompetitions, event spokesman Mark Pinkstone said.In a phone conversation with The Associated Press, Browner-Hamlin said hehad not been informed if he had Cotter were also banned. Security officersand Pinkstone did not immediately return a reporter's calls seeking commenton the Americans.Organizers said they violated rules that ban political propaganda and theflags of countries not represented at the competition.TV footage also showed a man wearing a T-shirt saying "Democracy and humanrights are more important than the Olympics." He was asked to remove theshirt before entering the venue.Several other protesters demanding China abolish the death penalty held abanner near the venue that said "Stop executions."After Chan's removal from the stadium, the chief executive of the equestrianevent lashed out at the student for disrupting the competition, calling heractions "very irresponsible.""The Olympics happen once every four years. All the athletes prepare veryhard for the competition. The audience watch the competition knowing it's arare occasion. And she deliberately takes actions that violate the rules anddisturbed other people," Lam Woon-kwong said.Chan said she only wanted to protest peacefully and raise awareness thatChina had failed to keep its promise to improve its human rights recordafter winning the bid to host the Olympics.Browner-Hamlin called his protest "an action that amplifies the voices ofTibetans who want to live under the Tibetan flag in a free nation."Equestrian host Hong Kong is usually more tolerant of dissent than mainlandChina.A former British colony now ruled by China, Hong Kong is promisedWestern-style civil liberties commonly denied on the mainland, such asfreedom of speech and protest. Still, the local government has apparentlytightened controls because of the Olympics.An opposition lawmaker said three U.S.-based ethnic Chinese democracyactivists were turned away at the airport Wednesday.Tibet has been an extremely sensitive topic since protests against Chineserule turned violent in the region's capital in March.Many Tibetans insist they were an independent nation before Communist troopsinvaded in 1950, while Beijing says the Himalayan region has been part ofits territory for centuries.http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-08-24-voa3.cfm?rss=asiaFree Speech Still a Top Issue on Last Day of OlympicsBy Stephanie HoBeijing24 August 2008As the Olympics winds down, the issue of free speech is still very much inthe news headlines. In the latest development, the U.S. embassy is callingfor the immediate release of eight American pro-Tibet demonstrators, who arein Chinese custody. Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing.Pro-Tibet protesters carry portraits of Tibetans allegedly killed duringprotests in Tibet and march without shouting slogans through Tokyo streets,24 Aug 2008There have been a handful of small-scale, unauthorized pro-Tibetdemonstrations before and during the Olympics. At first, Chinese authoritiesdetained and then quickly deported the foreign activists responsible.This week marked a change in tactics, as Chinese authorities detained eightAmericans, in two separate pro-Tibet incidents, on Wednesday and Thursday.U.S. embassy spokeswoman Susan Stevenson says the Olympics should have beenan opportunity for China to allow more free speech."We are disappointed that China has not used the occasion of the Olympics todemonstrate greater tolerance and openness," she said.The U.S. Ambassador to China, Clark Randt, is calling for the immediaterelease of the eight Americans. An embassy statement says he has beenraising concerns over their cases to "senior levels of the Chinesegovernment."Jonathan Watts, the president of the Foreign Correspondents Club in China,says there is a stark contrast between perceptions inside and outside theOlympic venues."Inside the stadiums, things have gone very, very well. Reporters seem verypleased with the number of press conferences that were held and the degreeof access they had to officials. However, outside the stadiums, we haveconfirmed more than 30 cases of reporting interference, heard of another20," said Watts.And, although the Chinese government designated three Beijing parks forprotests during the Olympics, it did not approve even one of the 77 protestapplications it received.The chairman of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, wasasked about this issue at the end of the Olympics news conference Sunday."There is a fact that there were 77 applications, that's what we have beentold. We found it unusual that none of these applications have come throughwith protest," said Rogge.Rogge said Chinese authorities told the IOC that the questions raised bymost of the protest applicants had been met, with what he called "mutualagreement."http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Shaven-head-was-Tibet-protest-says-Polish-medalist/352491/Shaven head was Tibet protest, says Polish medalistPosted online: Saturday , August 23, 2008 at 01:33:01Warsaw, August 23: Poland's Olympic silver medal-winning weightlifter SzymonKolecki has indicated that he had held a subtle pro-Tibet protest at theBeijing Games by shaving his head before his event.A protest group, Students for a Free Tibet, had said Kolecki's decision toswap his normally shaggy haircut for a bald look ahead of Sunday's 94kgcompetition was a sign of solidarity with Tibet's shaven-headed Buddhistmonks.Although Kolecki declined to confirm that directly, he left little doubtabout his motives. "I take a regular interest in world affairs and all theimportant news, including about Tibet. But I'm meant to respect the OlympicCharter," 26-year-old Kolecki said on Thursday after returning from China."Let's just say that shaving my head was a symbol," he said.The International Olympic Committee's document, which lays down the rulesfor the Games, says that "no kind of demonstration or political, religiousor racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or otherareas".One of the leaders of the Polish branch of Students for a Free Tibet, WitekHebanowski, said that he had been in touch with Kolecki before the Games.Hebanowski said the athlete had explained he was looking for a way to hold aprotest.Ahead of the Games, several dozen athletes had signed an open letter toChina's President Hu Jintao calling for freedom of speech and religion inChina, notably in Tibet, as well as the release of jailed human rightscampaigners and an end to capital punishment.But Kolecki's gesture appears to be the first protest action by an athleteactually at the Games against China's communist rulers, who have beenaccused by pro-Tibet groups of carrying out a bloody crackdown in theHimalayan region.China sent troops into Tibet in 1950 and officially "liberated" it thefollowing year. Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled into exile inIndia in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking independence for Tibet and offomenting unrest. He insists he wants autonomy and religious freedom ratherthan independence, and has said he supports the Beijing Olympics.Kolecki also took silver at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, as well as comingsecond in two world championships and winning the European title five times.http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mhqlcwidojql/rss2/British man held after Hong Kong bridge protest08/08/2008 - 07:12:37A Briton was held today after unfurling banners condemning China’s humanrights record on a major bridge in Hong Kong.Other protesters critical of China’s human rights record were expected todemonstrate later in the day near the venue of the Olympic equestrian eventin Hong Kong.Matt Pearce, a long-time Hong Kong resident originally from Bristol, hungtwo banners on road signs on Hong Kong’s Tsing Ma Bridge that said: “We wanthuman rights and democracy” and “The people of China want freedom fromoppression.”Officials shut down traffic on the bridge’s upper deck where Mr Pearce wasprotesting.TV footage showed Mr Pearce wearing a horse’s head mask and a white shirtbearing the Olympic rings while carrying a guitar. His protest ended afterabout an hour when men in plain clothes hustled him away.Hong Kong police could not immediately be reached for comment.A Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator, Emily Lau, and a Hong Kong groupcritical of China’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in June 1989 are expected to protest later near theOlympic equestrian venue.Olympic organisers moved the equestrian event from Beijing to the formerBritish colony of Hong Kong because of a rash of equine diseases andsub-standard quarantine procedures on the mainland. Hong Kong has aprominent horse racing scene.