RICHARD GERE WANTS OLYMPIC BOYCOTT

TimesSquare ^ | Saturday, March 15, 2008 | TS

[fight_truth_decay]

Hollywood star and Tibet activist Richard Gere is slamming China for its recent bloody Himalayan protest, and is urging the world to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The outspoken Pretty Woman star was horrified at the treatment of demonstrators protesting against Chinese rule in Tibet on Friday, where at least 10 people were reported to have been killed. Gere, chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet and a devout Buddhist, insists there "absolutely" should be a worldwide boycott of the sporting event in August to force China to allow the Himalayan region to decide its own future. The 58-year-old star has been barred from visiting China for his support of Tibet, and in 1993 spoke out about the plight of the Himalayan region at the Academy Awards.He says, "In this situation if the Chinese do not act in the proper way, change their ways, acknowledge what is going on, allow free access to communication, then I think that absolutely we have to boycott. "It would be unconscionable if we continued as if things are hunky dory and everyone’s happy. It’s impossible."Tibetans have been much marginalized in recent years, much more than before. And that’s why you see this pressure cooker effect in Tibet where religion has essentially been outlawed, where pictures of the Dalai Lama, who is essentially their Jesus Christ, are not allowed."

[fight_truth_decay]

At least ten deaths were reported and a dozen people were injured as the authorities tried to restore order with gunfire, water cannon and tear gas. China's Xinhua news agency said ten "innocent civilians" burnt to death in fires in an unverified report which said no foreigners were harmed.

Although European leaders yesterday dismissed talk of a boycott, one leading IOC member told the Daily Telegraph: "Clearly we are very worried about the situation. Our role is ultimately to organise a good Games but we have always been clear; when things start to affect the Games then we will react."

An IOC spokeswoman added, however, [coughing] that it was difficult for them to intervene. "We cannot interfere with sovereign matters," she said. "What we said when we awarded the Games to China was that we hoped the presence of the Games would be a catalyst for China to improve on human rights..."It is not in the IOC's remit to try and sort out problems that have been beyond governments."

Four Tibetan children aged 15 years, have been detained since 7 September in Gansu province, and are said to be at grave risk of torture and mistreatment on suspicion of writing pro-Tibetan independence slogans, a human rights NGO said. A fifth child, 14 years old, is in hospital suffering severe head injuries received in detention. Amnesty International has received reports that electric prods have been used on the children and that Chopa Kyab, one of the children still in detention, is being taken away at night and has been severely traumatised by his treatment. On 7 September some 40 children were detained by police in Xiahe county, Gannan prefecture, Gansu province, for exercising their right to freedom of expression- Childs Rights Informational Network

The flame is due to be carried through Tibet and to the peak of Mount Everest but organisers have deliberately not disclosed when the torch will be there amid fears the relay will be targeted by human rights campaigners.

The President has accepted an invitation to attend the games.

[puppypusher]

For once Richard Gere and I agree on something.

[rovenstinez]

Richard Gere, isn’t he the guy who abused gerbils? Sounds like maybe he has another gerbil that has gone wild up his kazoo.

[fight_truth_decay]

On Jan. 7, villagers in Wanba, China, were protesting government officials dumping truckloads of waste next to their homes. Municipal officers known as “chengguan” scuffled with residents trying to prevent the dumping, and Wei began filming.When the dozens of chengguan noticed Wei, they beat him to death... authorities deleted the cell phone video.

[TCats]

While there are many reasons to pressure China including the Olympics, Richard Gere’s call fo a boycot is not one of them.

[fight_truth_decay]

“Those who provide Internet audio and video services must serve socialist ideals and the Chinese people,” the government said about the rules to go into effect Jan. 31...And last week, the propaganda department announced a crackdown on unapproved political publications — and, to make the effort look somehow gallant, porn — under the guise of “defending socialist culture.”

[7mmMag@LeftCoast]

Richard Gere protesting that China’s pet stores do not clip their gerbal population toe nails correctly?

[fight_truth_decay]

Gere said called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games if China "does not act in the proper way" in handling protests in the Himalayan region. He had not previously supported a boycott, believing the Olympics facilitated "the free exchange of communications, of sports, entertainment"..."You see this around the world with people who have been repressed, who are on the edge of extinction, and there's nothing left for them to do....."Tibetans have been much marginalized in recent years, much more than before. And that's why you see this pressure cooker effect in Tibet where religion has essentially been outlawed, where pictures of the Dalai Lama, who is essentially their Jesus Christ, are not allowed."..."The loss of opportunity, education, health care etcetera, people can't live with that. Essentially when you have people up against the wall that tight, they will explode."

Gere, a Buddist, described the demonstrations, and the violent Chinese reaction, as "not unexpected". "The situation in Tibet has been deteriorating for many years

[mdefranc]

Gere - when you’re right, you’re Right.

IOC, i.e., sub-morons - you’re more attached to athletic supporters than to human liberty.

[robomatik]

“The outspoken Pretty Woman star”

[Digger]

For once Richard Gere and I agree on something.

That makes two of us but I was against from the day of announcement.

[AndrewB]

[redstateconfidential]

[fight_truth_decay]

Do you think any athletes will boycott on their own?

Jan Becker, an Australian swimmer in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and 2006 Winter Olympics Bronze medallist Martins Rubenis, official Ambassador of the HR Torch Relay....is shocked that simply because she started practicing the Falun Gong spiritual discipline, she has been forbidden by Chinese authorities from attending the 2008 Games. Furthermore, she believes that Olympic athletes are being asked to censor their opinions as the Games approach.

"Here in Australia I believe that the athletes have been threatened. If they talk about Falun Gong … they will be dropped from the team. Now this has come out through a person who knows somebody who's an athlete in training. They're not going to say much because they'll be dropped from the team," she said. She says she hopes some Australian athletes will go public with this information.

Boycott of 2010 Games an option Expert says women athletes would have to threaten Games with boycott.

There are especially BIG dollars on the line for US winning athletes..endorsements which will set them up for life.

The Brits have said they will also wear masks against pollution. The OC has stated no face masks will be allowed, as they will offend the hosts. The Aussies will appear as late as possible in Aug. to shorten the duration of expected exposure to high levels of pollution.

Romney has stated the games should be held without boycott.

[Skibane]

Better idea: Attend the Olympics...

...but formally recognize both Taiwan and Tibet as sovereign nations 1 week before the opening ceremonies! :D

[goldstategop]

I agree with Richard Gere for a change. We should not be extending legitimacy to a regime that denies Tibet freedom. The ugly truth too is that China denies its own people freedoms taken for granted in the West. And we want to make China look as good before world opinion as Nazi Germany was in the mid 1930s? I think the answer is clear - a boycott would be the right thing to do. America boycotted the Moscow Olympics in 1980 and should boycott the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[RichInOC]

I was going to ask...if we boycott, how’s he going to be able to do the gerbil pyrotechnic show at the opening ceremonies?

“ARMAGEDDON!” [BOOM!]

[Proud_USA_Republican]

China never should of got the olympics in the first place, but the corrupt IOC wanted to make a statement that communist dictatorships are ok as long as they have a faux version of capitalism. Same with Russia. Never should of got the winter olympics in 2014.

[dfwgator]

For once Richard Gere and I agree on something.

Me too, and boycotting the Moscow games was the only thing Jimmy Carter did, that I agreed with.

[monkeycard]

Dick who?