I attended the anti-China pro-Tibetan rally today in my glorious home of San Francisco. I swear this has got to be one of the only places in this country where demonstrations are openly accepted and not only acknowledged by the officials, but protected.
I cannot explain what really happened any better than this article on Sfgate.com has.
The pro-Chinese bullied and instigated us, but we stood our ground peacefully. It was not only clear that the Chinese out-numbered us, but obvious that the Chinese Consulate bused in protesters from around the state. They waved their obnoxiously giant flags in front of our signs pleading for the human rights of the Tibetan people. I couldn't help but get emotional watching both sides being held apart by police. At another point I glanced behind me to see a Tibetan man, who was also a banner-holder, crying in disbelief of the chaos ensuing around him when all he is asking is for peace.
The only way I can give you an accurate depiction of how today actually went, is from what I saw and what I experienced. I took pictures, but technical difficulties prevent me from showing them to you.
I think the reason why I got so emotionally involved, was not only because of the killing and inhumane things happening in Tibet, but before we started marching down Embarcadero early in the morning, a Tibetan Buddhist man in front of me began to pray. Not loudly, but not softly, his prayer was the most soothing noise I would hear all day.
On a lighter note, the Olympic Torch got Rick Roll'd, I have video of that too. I love the internet!
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