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Pro-Tibet activists protest in San Francisco

The Californian

About 100 pro-Tibet activists gathered in front of San Francisco City Hall this afternoon, one day before day before the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, to draw attention to what they say is oppression by the Chinese government.

The protest, organized by the coalition SF Team Tibet, marked the kickoff of two weeks of Bay Area rallies timed to coincide with the Olympic games.

The protesters took a moment of silence outside City Hall to pray that the Chinese government stops the alleged oppression, particularly in Tibet, the protesters said.

Ngodup Tsering, president of the Tibetan Association of Northern California, said the protesters are calling on international leaders not to attend the games or opening ceremonies because it sends the wrong message to the Chinese people, who she said are unaware of some of the happenings in Tibet.

The crowd called out chants such as “Olympics in China, torture in Tibet,” and held hand-made signs with slogans including “Give Me Back My Tibet.”

About 20 police officers kept watch over the noon rally and then followed the crowd up Van Ness Avenue for a march to the Chinese consulate.

Copyright © 2008 Salinas Californian

Published in The Californian