The olympic torch and pro Tibet protests

[tinylady]

I think it is fantastic that their voices have been heard

HERE

Are you all out there, protesting?

I went on the big march a couple of weeks ago, in the snow. Sadly can't make it today because I am working (honest). As the man on the radio just said, these are the images which are being beamed across the world. terrified for the protestors inside Tibet.

Me too peas

i think its fantastic. heard duncan goodhew talking about how he thought they 'weren't setting a good example for children' - what, by standing up for what they believe in?

The BBC coverage has been very biased imo.

Bump

Did anyone bun themselves?

??

I think they have behaved dispicably.
They have really made idiots out of them selves.
I bet half of them don't even know what the protest is for.

What do you mean CS?
Who do you think doesn't know what the protest was for?

I'm all for supporting oppressed people but I'm not convinced protesting against the Olympics, and Chinese people in general, is the way to go. A good friend of mine is Chinese and was afraid to be out of the house today. That to me is pathetic...

I didn't see it as a protest against the Chinese in general though-I think the problem was that we didn't hear the protestors side of things

What does grabbing the torch out of Connie Huqs hand achieve apart from making them look like a twat?
What difference do they think they will make?

CS, exactly.

What does a protest against the Chinese, the Olympics, and/or the torch accomplish? IMHO it's a base level of action which acheives nothing except annoyance to lots of people who don't deserve to be interfered with (e.g. local Londoners!).

The mature thing to do would be to direct one's criticism (or more helpfully, suggestions) at people with power to do something, like charities, NGOs, even local politicians.

they are standing up for what they believe in. They (the protestors) may not be able to force the Chinese government to treat the people of Tibet humanely but they can show the world what they think of the chinese government.

Certainly isn't a protest against Chinese people, just the government.

Maybe gain the attention of the worlds media CS?

[they are standing up for that they believe in]

I'm no supporter of lazy critics, but it's not just as simple as throwing oneself into a frenzy of anger in public. In reality, a lot of normal people are inconvenienced by protests like this. End result is even more innocent people have a bad day. I doubt that is that what the protestors really want.

As an aside, it occurs to me that my 2 year old probably also believes he is 'standing up for what he believes in' when he throws a tantrum.

All I'm saying is, there's a more effective and grown-up way to handle one's feelings about things than "protesting." Discussing ideas with otehrs is one; directing your energies at those who are responsible (rather than bystanders) is another...

tinylady, and if they do gain the attention of the world's media, perhaps all people will thing is, "oh no, another annoying protest" -- so much energy wasted...

I totally support the protests. If ever there was a time to be the voice of an oppressed people, then it is now.

I lived in China and Hong Kong (pre, during and post handover) and travelled to Tibet and had a lot of Chinese friends and work collegues. As far as I was aware, no Chinese person I knew themselves ever felt that by supporting the movement to Free Tibet meant that they personally were disliked or threatened. It is not the Chinese people who people are protesting against, it is the Chinese authorities.

Having had personal experience and discussed many issues with Chinese people in China, HK and Tibet I personally loathe and detest many aspects of the Chnese governemnt but certainly do not have any ill feeling what so ever for the the Chinese as a nation. That would be ludicrous! However, just as discussions get very heated where certain highly emotive issues are concerned, if I were discussing the Tibet issue with someone who took the Chinese authorites official point of view, regardless of their nationality, of course emotions would run high. I have a number of Hong Kong Chinese and British Born Chinese friends in London some of which I know were planning to protest today (although to what extent I do not know).

Unfortunately, although I do think it is sad fot the athletes who are competing in the Olympics to have such negitive issues to deal with, I think it is very hard to differentiate from the true meaning of the Olympics and what it stands for when it is being hosted by a country with such very questionable human rights records.

I think its important that people can protest/demonstrate on issues that are important to them. It does raise publicity for an important issue and lets China know that people aren't happy.

Unfortunately I don't think anything will be achieved as countries are too busy sucking up to China as it becomes a new superpower. Its disgusting that China were chosen to hold the games. But the fact that it won't achieve something is not the important thing at all.

I bet Rosa Parks thought that refusing to give up her seat wouldn't get her anywhere either!

However I don't think that physically grabbing the tourch from a TV presenter and jostling her around like that is good. I would rather it had been confined to banners, chanting and trying to throw buckets of water over the torch.

"reality, a lot of normal people are inconvenienced by protests like this"

Oh, boo hoo.

I'm sorry but I think a lot of Tibeatans are being slightly more inconvenienced at present

Anyway I think that the roads, etc would have been shut for the procession regardless of the protestors.

oh dear oh dear 'common sense'???

think the protesters are fantastic. shame on those choosing to associate themselves with these games.

my point is, it doesn't help the Tibetans to inconvenience Londoners!

That's like me being irate about my tax bill, and throwing rotten tomatoes at my local newsagent in protest. Get it?