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| Tenzing Chemey in action! |
| "But this time
it was different, because I realized that I wasn’t just
struggling for my country’s independence, I was building
my knowledge, confidence, and inner self to educate confused
people of the world and to convey our message of a Free Tibet
in a nonviolent, but also a direct action way." |
Free Tibet Action Camp was a blast. I am sure everyone else felt
the same as I did during the Students for a Free Tibet’s
fifth Action Camp at the beautiful Menla Mountain Retreat Center
in Phoenicia, NY. Free Tibet! Action Camp has changed the person
in me and enlightened me once again.
I say ‘again’ because Lhadon Tethong had enlightened
me once before when I first came to New York City a year ago.
But this time it was different, because I realized that I wasn’t
just struggling for my country’s independence, I was building
my knowledge, confidence, and inner self to educate confused people
of the world and to convey our message of a Free Tibet in a nonviolent,
but also a direct action way. I learnt a lot about Tibet’s
current situation at this Action Camp. The facts and figures are
in the back of my head and everything seems crystal clear to me
now.
We did not only concentrate only on theory... there was lots
of action too. By action I mean, well, real action! We learnt
the basics of climbing up and down ropes for future actions like
hanging banners from tall buildings. We also learned a method
called mock hanging which I will definitely use one day (don’t
try to stop me, Lhadon). This involved using climbing gear to
simulate an execution by hanging, and creates a powerful image
of the oppression Tibetans face under Chinese occupation. We learnt
the basics of an effective protest, how to plan strong actions
and deal with police and get our message across.
There was a musical night with Techung and Danny of Chaksampa
who made us snap our fingers and tap our feet to Tibetan folk
music. The night was awesome and ended with a Tibetan traditional
folk dance that Techung taught us in just a few minutes. And we
had lots of guests, political activists who gave us talks on the
political and human rights situation in Tibet, as well as lessons
from struggles in other countries.
Some people don’t have the word ‘impossible’
in their dictionary, and yes that is people like us. We never
give up and because of that, at Action Camp we had Ani Ngawang
Sangdrol, Choeying Kunsang and Pasang Lhamo in our midst, living
like any other human being free at last. Former political prisoners,
courageous Ani Ngawang Sangdrol and Ani Pasang Lhamo demonstrated
banner-hanging and climbing using the action skills they had learnt.
| "I
have to spit this one conclusion out: The only disappointment
I had during my first Free Tibet! Action Camp was that I didn’t
see enough Tibetan people, which is really surprising and
discouraging. I would like to call on all my brothers and
sisters to be a part of SFT, come to Free Tibet! Action Camp
and learn. Act now and make a difference. Because we all know,
Tibet will be free. So, BHOE RANGZEN!!" |
This was unthinkable a few years ago but today everything has
changed. We have hope and faith in our cause, which will keep
us going until we reach our goal. I would like to thank all the
westerners (injis) who have dedicated their valuable time to the
Tibetan freedom struggle. You people made Action Camp happen.
SFTers from Europe and Canada also did an excellent job at the
Action Camp and made the best of it.
I have to spit this one conclusion out: the only disappointment
I had during my first Free Tibet! Action Camp was that I didn’t
see enough Tibetan people, which is really surprising and discouraging.
I would like to call on all my brothers and sisters to be a part
of SFT, come to Free Tibet! Action Camp and learn. Act now and
make a difference. Because we all know, Tibet will be free. So,
BHOE RANGZEN!!
Tenzing Chemey
< lordtenny@hotmail.com>
