Events
RTYC Portland/Vancouver, 8/21/07 (See pictures)
With last minute phone calls and emails the day before, around 35 strong Tibetans gathered at the University Club in downtown Portland today protesting against the visit of Chinese Ambassador to the US Zhou Wenzhong. The ambassador was scheduled to give a keynote address at a luncheon of business and community leaders at the club. Today was the last day of his three day trip to Portland to talk about trade with China and to cover the lid on the recent news about tainted products from China. His next stop is in Seattle.Protesters were posted in the front, side and back of the building to make sure he sees the Tibetan National Flag and our many signs including "Independence for Tibet", Release Panchen Lama", "Release Ronggye A'drak" and "Long Live Dalai Lama".
Chants of "China Out of Tibet" and "No Olympics in China" pierced through the wall of the three storey University Club building and forced the Club to close the windows and the curtains. This was confirmed by one of the people who was inside at the luncheon and told us that our message was heard loud and clear inside. We were also told that the ambassador did mention Tibet during his speech by saying "Dalai Lama says he wants autonomy for Tibet but he is actually fighting for Tibet's Independence".
The Chinese tried to fool us by parking the Limousine and exiting some of the officials from the front door but we were one step ahead and the ambassador was forced to exit from the basement and had to climb the stairs to come out the back door where he was also encountered by protesters. He ended up riding in a small car and speeding away like his tail was on fire.
The protestors were very satisfied that we were able to send a strong message to the ambassador and would welcome him and any Chinese dignitaries the same way anytime they visit the Pacific Northwest until Tibet is free of the brutal Communist Chinese regime.