Remembering the Tibetan Uprising Day March 10, 2010

March 10, 1959 was the second largest uprising in China since the cultural revolution took place in China. Tibet, a place unknown to many, has been occupied by China since 1959. The people of Tibet are scattered all over the world now, however majority of the population still take refuge in India and Nepal, the two nearest countries who came to aid back in the 50's. The first Tibetans to migrate to the United States settled in New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.; San Francisco; Minneapolis; Madison, Wis., and Amherst, Mass. This was due to the Immigration Act of 1990 that allowed 1000 Tibetans to enter the United States carrying the standard assylum project without the refugee status, meaning the Tibetans received permanent residence and work authorization, but no benefits for three years and no Federal funds, things that are generally accorded to refugees. The Bay Area Tibetan community consist of almost 3000 Tibetans according to census data.
My mother was one of the 1000 Tibetans allowed in the United States in 1991 and brought us here four years later. Since then, i have lived in Berkeley and have become somewhat of a Tibetan American. We are the second generation of Tibetans since the occupation of Tibet. I have been active in the Tibetan cause since highschool where we created the first Students for a Free Tibet club, back in 2000.

Many Tibetans Tibet supporters march the streets of San Francisco every year to raise awareness of the Tibetan cause, one for a Free Tibet in hopes of regaining independence of Tibet from China.

“March 10th is a day for Tibetans everywhere to be proud of our history,” said Tsering Dorjee, President of the San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, “Proud of our identity, proud of our ancestors who died protecting our homeland, proud of the courageous resistance of Tibetans inside Tibet, and proud of the younger generation who raise the flag of Tibetan freedom ever higher.”

The Chinese government claims Tibet has been a part of China since the Yuan Dynasty yet, Tibetans claim that Tibet has always been an independent nation with His Holiness the Dalai Lama (HHDL)as its political and spiritual leader.

A representative of the Tibetan Association of Northern California read the following statement issued by His Holiness the Dalai Lama today.

"Despite the great hardships Tibetans have faced for many decades, they have been able to keep up their courage and determination, preserve their compassionate culture and maintain their unique identity. It is inspiring that today a new generation of Tibetans continues to keep Tibet's just cause alive. I salute the courage of those Tibetans still enduring fear and oppression.

Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, it is the responsibility of all Tibetans to maintain equality, harmony and unity among the various nationalities, while continuing to protect our unique identity and culture. Many Tibetans in Tibetan areas are working in various responsible posts in the party, government and military, helping Tibetans in whatever way they can. We recognise the positive contribution that many of them have made up to now, and obviously when Tibet achieves meaningful autonomy in the future, they will have to continue to fulfil such responsibilities."

Click here to read the full statement