In a show of support for human rights and freedom for Tibetans, Santa Barbara County has passed a resolution declaring March 10 Tibetan Uprising Day, and will join other communities worldwide in a Tibet National Flag Raising and Ceremony, 10-11 a.m., at 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.
The resolution was co-sponsored by Supervisors Das Williams and Joan Hartmann.
At the local event, Tibet-born Santa Barbara resident Thepo Tulku of Santa Barbara Summit for Tibet will speak, as will Williams. A prayer will be said, followed by the Tibet national anthem as the Tibet flag is raised to show solidarity for human rights in China and around the world.
This year’s ceremony marks the 63rd anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, when around the world the Tibetan flag is raised in front of government buildings to show the residents care about human rights and freedom for Tibetans (also the Uyghurs, Mongolians and people in Hong Kong).
Santa Barbara County will be joining 425 cities in Germany that raise the flag on this day, www.tibet-flagge.de, as well as Richmond, Berkeley and Oakland in California, and several cities in Wisconsin.
Tibetans are still striving to regain their freedoms to practice and preserve their national identity as they remain under China’s communist rule. Santa Barbara Summit for Tibet and SB Friends of Tibet are among hundreds of Tibet support groups worldwide working together for the same goals.
For more information, visit International Campaign for Tibet www.savetibet.org, International Tibet Network www.tibetnetwork.org, and Students for a Free Tibet www.studentsforafreetibet.org.