Posted on 08/06/2008 12:06:18 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Two Britons arrested over Tibet flag protest in Beijing
Jane Macartney and Will Pavia in Beijing
Four protesters have been arrested after a Briton and an American scaled two flood-lighting poles near the centre of Beijing's tightly patrolled Olympic park this morning and unfurled banners calling for Tibetan independence.
Despite intense security that had been ratcheted up further in preparation for the arrival of the Olympic torch relay in the Chinese capital today, the protesters were able to display Tibetan flags and two 140 square-foot banners beside the iconic Bird's Nest Stadium that will host the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.
Ian Thom, 24, from Edinburgh, and Phill Bartell, 34, from New Jersey, climbed two 120-foot pylons as dawn broke over the stadium and surrounding park. The messages on their banners mimicked the slogan for the Games. One read: "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet." Another called for a “Free Tibet” in English and Chinese.
They were supported by Lucy Fairbrother, 24, a graduate of Bristol University who now lives in London, and by Tirian Mink, 32, a project manager for a construction company in Oregon
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Ping!
|
|
| A protester descends a pole to an awaiting policeman after hanging a banner which reads 'Tibet will be free' near the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, before the Beijing Olympic Games in this photo released by Students for a Free Tibet, August 6, 2008. REUTERS/Students for a Free Tibet/Handout |
 |
| A protester descends a pole after hanging a banner which reads 'One World One Dream Free Tibet' near the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, before the Beijing Olympic Games in this photo released by Students for a Free Tibet, August 6, 2008. Four foreign protesters were held by police after displaying the banners on Wednesday, state media reported, as the Olympic Games torch made its way through the city. REUTERS/Students for a Free Tibet/Handout (CHINA). |
LOL! I can’t beleive they made it past security...
believe
And may there be many more banners for the Beijing Butchers and their propaganda show.
All the world leaders there sure won’t be waving those banners.
Is it just me, or is that stadium really the ugliest structure on the planet?
As much as I dislike the French, I do believe that magnificent bridge of theirs is one of the most beautiful structures.
As for buildings, the Chrysler building is my favorite, with Empire State probably second and the Enron towers in Houston coming in third.
MM
There were NOT 2 BRITONS in the title, but 1 briton and 1 American.
Regardless, them getting past security and the commies is still an amazing feat. A couple more days before more protests get on the commies’ grill.
Well, they wanted it! LOL!
There were four protestors on the site: 2 Americans and 2 Brits. They were all arrested. Two Britons were arrested and two Americans were arrested. One Brit climbed up with one American and the second Brit and American were on the ground.
Here is the quote about the second American and the second Brit on the ground: “They were supported by Lucy Fairbrother, 24, a graduate of Bristol University who now lives in London, and by Tirian Mink, 32, a project manager for a construction company in Oregon.”
It is good to see Americans and Britons working together against the human/national rights violations being committed by the Communist Chinese. Too bad President Bush wasn’t there.
“Hey, this is not my fault.” :-)
I completely disagree! I have no use for the Chinese communists, but to go to someone else's country and protest their actions is presumptuous, at best. Would you like it if foreigners came here and protested our treatment of blacks, the war on terror, no socialized health care, etc.?!
My overwhelming thought is now these folks are going to see and experience FIRST HAND just how a tyranny handles justice.
Methinks their stay won't be so pleasant nor short term.
If someone from Europe was carrying a sign that expressed a reasoned opinion against U.S. policy, I wouldn’t have a problem with it at all, as long as they weren’t being violent or disruptive.
Carrying a sign regarding Tibet, is a very simple thing. It’s in no way a crime by any stretch of the imagination.
China has just outed itself for what it is. I think that is instructive. I think the protesters did a good thing.
You of all people don't believe that foreign forces have already, literally, planted themselves in the Dem party? Holy cow. It's been their stated goal for decades to infiltrate political parties in all countries!
Somebody is going to get shot before this two week thing is over. Mark my word. And TV cameras around the world are going to catch it, even though the Chinese will try to lie about what happened. There is WAY too much at risk for these guys. At least they could have democratized first into a multi party free election system, THEN they could have had their Olympics and I for one would have visited from nearby Japan. As it is, I will be hunkered down in Tokyo, watching for news of a street massacre over there by the jackboots.
Sports officials are nervous that their athletes may not live up to people's expectation. Their desperation would lead to going for gold at any cost. I expect some unusual level of referee-tempering or other kind of sabotage. They all happened in the past and some were egregious. However, as with many things, Chinese would make it several times worse.
I am tuning out of Olympics. I will occasionally watch news if something other than competitions occurs.
I have to say I admire the Bird’s Nest - it’s an impressive building IMO. It doesn’t look at its best behind the Sauronic wall of fog though.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
