10 April 2008

Olympic Torch protests

| tap
Join the conversation
76

Does anybody know much about the Canberra pro Tibetan protests that are supposed to be taking place at the olympic torch relay? Who is organising it, where are people supposed to meet etc?

Join the conversation

76
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

He was back then anyway. Im not too sure how much of a say he even has in it anymore.

On the bus… off the bus… near the bus… painting the bus…

First there were no chinese attendants.
Then there were three chinese attendants.
Now there will be six chinese attendants.

Apparently the manufacturing flaws inherent in China-produced goods will mean the Oympic torch will need to be physically relit by elite soldiers every 250 meters.

Credit to Kevin Rudd for sticking to his guns over this.

But yeah, call it off.

As they’re not licensed security persons within Australia, the moment they step off their Magic Diplomatic Bus they’re no longer active members of the chinese military and just tourists\working visitors.

If they’re assaulting any fellow Chinese\Tibetans in exile, Taiwanese, Australian citizens or people who don’t want to be assaulted, they’re subject to the same laws as everyone else ought to be, so either get the attention of AFP to witness the alleged assault (and remember the name from the badge of your witnessing officer, who should be wearing some ID if they are on duty) and follow it up.

Gosper’s a goose.

neanderthalsis10:47 am 16 Apr 08

lloks like we both posted the same thing at the same time skid.

neanderthalsis10:39 am 16 Apr 08

Story on the ABC on security arrangements for the “Run with burning stick”:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/16/2218059.htm
It appears the local constabulary has been granted Police extra powers to search people and seize items including eggs, paint bombs, fire extinguishers and flares. (so don’t do the shopping and stand beside the road with a carton of eggs and a bag of flour)

Also, the head of the Oztralyan leg of the “run with burning stick” Committee, Ted Quinlan, says Chinese torch attendants could be arrested if they lay a hand on people during the relay and the ACT branch of the AFP are saying that the Chinese blue trackie dack brigade WILL NOT be used under any circumstances. Sounds as if the AFP are getting shirty about them being on their patch.

Stolen from http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/15/2217755.htm

No Chinese security on torch relay: Police
Posted Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:34pm AEST

The head of security for the Canberra leg of the Olympic torch relay has moved to clear up confusion over the role Chinese military officials will play.

Deputy president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kevan Gosper says the Chinese will accompany the torch but will only be called on in an emergency.

But ACT deputy chief police officer Shane Connolly says Chinese authorities will not be used for security under any circumstances.

“Under no circumstances, no matter what occurs, will they be called on to perform a security function,” he said.

“In fact if there was an urgent situation the runners that we may have out at any one time would be put back into the bus for their own security.”

Mr Gosper had earlier said that if protests become too violent, the Chinese officials would be called on to provide security assistance.

So apparently, neither the left nor right hand knows what is happening.

Because John Howard never went and did whatever other, stronger countries told him to do? No… unheard of…

@Thumper – you haven’t read the front page of the Canberra Times today have you ?

Buy a copy anyway, see if you can see my advert 😛

BTW JonasGrumby with the ‘Minnow’ 3 hour tour – sorry I can’t respond to your sms because you changed the ‘from’ from a number to JonasGrumby 🙁

Funny as all hell though.

“Does anybody else think that Kevin Rudd might be a Chinaman in a zip up “dorky looking, soft and white, guy with a monotone voice” suit? Something akin to a Dr Who villian. Or is it just me?”

Nah, he’s the Milky Bar Kid!

See earlier comments re: New Leadership on Spin Cycle.

Now all we need are for the cogs of this freely-spinning Government to engage and either sheer off all of their teeth or start actually changing something.

@Thumper – you know full well that was a hypothetical analogy. I couldn’t be bothered typing in about Tampa, Siev-X, WMD or any of the other readily avaliable, but long winded, examples I have to hand.

Does anybody else think that Kevin Rudd might be a Chinaman in a zip up “dorky looking, soft and white, guy with a monotone voice” suit? Something akin to a Dr Who villian. Or is it just me?

neanderthalsis4:12 pm 15 Apr 08

Thumper, Mao Tse Kev is far too busy to worry about the little things like running the country. Besides he doesn’t need to do anything at the moment because he can still blame the previous government for it all.

JWH would have told everybody what a great job the Australian Cricket team is doing right now in Bangladesh, and when we all looked and came back to say ‘hang on they aren’t in Bangladesh’, he’d be all ‘oh, did you see the chinese olympic torch guys, they just ran past’.

Some of you have rather fickle memories.

And you all should be still buying Australian made goods, so I don’t know where this ‘I’ll stop buying teh Chinese’ crap comes from. Support your country you unpatriotic, unaustralians.

Why is this being allowed to go ahead? Are the Chinese Tracksuit Mafia armed and dangerous? Come on Rudd/Stanhope, step up.

John Howard would never have accepted this. (Nor allowed himself to have been upstaged by other men in shiny tracksuits).

Agreed, I hope the relay gets called off.

neanderthalsis12:39 pm 15 Apr 08

So, Chinese “thugs” in pretty blue trackies will get to play torch protectors despite Little Kevs assurances that we alone would protect the torch; bussed in “patriots” to counter protest the free tibet mob; whats next, the Chinese womens swim team to mingle with the crowd and clout any disruptive influences?

So, not only are they stacking the crowds in their favour, but the Chinese military “Torch Protectors” will be following behind on the bus as “support crew”, at the request of the IOC.

Apparently the IOC can oblige the Chinese to overrule our PM.

neanderthalsis10:05 am 15 Apr 08

Well yesterdays Crikey had an alleged documnet from the Chinese Embassy sent to chinese students studying in Aus to participate in “Spontaneous Peaceful Patriotic Activity” and offering to bus students down from Sydney and feed them for the day to step once more unto the breach (what Uni student wouldn’t accept a free feed in return for a few hours of light protesting). They even appear to know the route the torch will take before us poor plebs have been informed.

Straight from Crikey:

Executive Summary: This activity is a voluntarily organised and spontaneous peaceful patriotic activity. The aim of this activity is prevent the disruptive actions of Free Tibet campaigners (the Chinese used is Zang du fenzi – Tibet Independence Elements) and Anti-Chinese elements from interfering with the Olympic torch relay.

Roles and Duties: The National Flag Group — is to hand out Chinese flags and Olympic flags to friendly onlookers; The Picket Group — will maintain order under the direction of the group leader. All members will follow instructions to protect the Olympic torch; The Propaganda Group (i.e., the PR team) — will hand out leaflets to standers-by, onlookers and others; and, The Visual Recording Group — will record the words, pronouncements, provocations and malicious actions of Free Tibet campaigners. Moreover, this group will record all other useful material.

Discipline: Obey orders, act collectively. Prevent all actions that can in any way be detrimental to the image of China, including words, comments and provocative behaviour, or any use of force. When confronting provocation you must be aware that the media will exaggerate even your most minor actions without any basis in fact while willfully ignoring those of the Free Tibet campaigners. You must remain calm and cool. The Visual Recording Group must be sure to be timely in taking footage of the provocations and destructive activities of the opposition. There must be reasonable use of the national flag and slogans. Do not drop any or leave any behind. When speaking to outsiders firmly maintain that this is entirely a spontaneous activity. You must accept no media interviews in the name of any group or collective. Keep a reasonable distance between yourself and the torch-bearer. Maintain a smiling face to onlookers, the media and other peaceful demonstrators. Demonstrate the good behaviour of the Chinese. Wear light and casual clothing. We suggest that you wear light colours.

Promotional Strategy – Option 1: The Canberra leg of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay will begin at Capital Hill where Parliament House is located. The harmonious flame of the Olympic Torch will set alight the emotions of this garden city. The Australian Chinese Youth Exchange Promotion Association cordially invites all patriots, Chinese students studying overseas, patriotic young people as well as all of your friends and relatives to join hands as witnesses of this historical moment, to raise your arms and cheer! The aim of this activity is to share the Olympic Spirit and Great Chinese Civilisation with the whole world. The organisers will provide bus transportation from Sydney to Canberra return, as well as breakfast and lunch. Participants will also be presented with Olympic keepsakes. We will cooperate closely with the police to ensure the safe protection of the Olympic torch. Whenever any willfully disruptive individual is found they will immediately be handed over to the police to be dealt with.

So, a “spontaneous” counter protest organised well before the event, people bussed in to make up the numbers for the red team. Interesting times to be had on 24 Apr methinks.

they spend an awesome amount on the military so tibet ain’t seen anything yet

Thats cool.

Until next time, mr BerraBoy.

Tap – this is why, despite being a relatively new player on RA, I love the site. Everybody gets a voice!

For info – I’ve been on more protests than I can count. I was raised on protests. My parents were rabid Trade Unionist and workers rights are THE ‘family cause’. As a kid I marched in the May Day marches and famous/infamous Miners strikes in London during the late 1960’s and 70’s and have taken part in very many workers right protests/picket lines since coming to Australia as a kid in 70’s. This took me through to being a Workplace delegate for the Union while working the Federal Public Service up until last year when I left to become a ‘dirty’ consultant. I understand passion very, very well. However, this has taught me to be wary of people who chase causes or just want a quick fight never to be seen again. The impact these people have on the ‘true believers’ (please pardon Whitlem-esque phrase) in any cause is pretty sad to see, trust me.

If you truly believe in what you want to protest, then I hope you feel satisfied at the end. I look forward to either locking horns, or agreeing, with you in another thread!

Mane,
I honestly don’t have that much left to say at this point, but i thought I should at least make it clear that all the points at the start of my last comment i disagree with. I wrote them as a way of showing how ridiculous i find the anti protesters ideas. And at least one was meant as a humouress jab at BerraBoy. (If you knew that already then sorry, but it seemed you were taking me seriously on those points, but i am having trouble understanding you and could very easily have got it wrong).

I pretty much agree with you (i think…) I think dialog with China is important (also between China and the Dalai Llama, as previously mentioned). Im not so sure that China hosting the olympics is a statement that they are trying to fix their ways regarding the human rights, as i think their reaction to the monks protests shows that they can still be very harsh. My opinions regarding the olympics in general and australias athletes and the amount of money we spend on them may well differ froms yours, i don’t believe sport is above (or below) politics, and i don’t agree that supporting our athletes is a responsibility. But i have no problem with your opinions on the matter.

As far as boycotts (or really sanctions i spose) maybe the time hasn’t come for that level of action yet.

umm yeah i guess thats it.

BerraBoy,
1. Agreed
2. It would be ideal but not neccesary. Protesting is a right, plain and simple.
3. Yeah ill give you that, I was never arguing the effectiveness of protest anyway.
4. Amen. The kicker is i wasn’t actually here for positive comment, just some information, i tried to avoid (no really) getting into an argument here.

@tap
1 You can pass an exam only when the correct answers have already been found. All what we are doing now (including the Chinese) are to understand the real facts, not to mention the right answers. Since there are uncountable things from every opinion lying in this issue, there would never be a correct answer. So what we can do is to understand the whole stuff as much as possible first rather than protest with popular.

2 Whether you can point out Tibet or not is actually not a big deal in the whole thing. It just indicates that whether you know or understand the people, culture and situations there. If not next interview would be some basic questions about its history or something after your preparation about the map location, like “Is Tibet a province?”

3,4 Every protester has his first time whenever he is provoked about his own world view and value view. One can also protest about different views on different things. You can protest for A in one event and protest in B camp in the other. But the goal of protest is solving the problem rather than protest itself and numerous ways can be done to achieve that goal, there can be more effective ways than protest. So a protestor may never be a protestor forever, wiser one has wiser way.

5 I can’t agree with you more at this point. We cannot scream every time we are touched.

6 Oh, come on, the Chinese lady in Floriade is for Falungong, a totally different issue. Of course you can connect everything with each other with “human rights”. But if you do it like that, it can only means you are not clear enough about any issue or both issues.

Of course we can use our own ways to express our opinions if it’s legal. Any your non-violent protest or non-attacking the torch’s plan seems OK, but make sure never get into the camp of Tibetans, ‘cause all they expressed to the Chinese government is Independence only. I don’t think a human rights issue= Independence, what about you? I am with your pro-human rights, and I think it is a long time-tackling problem even exists in Australia, but it’s improving such as the sorry to the “stolen generation”, so is China, why don’t you consider taking the torch relay and the Olympics as one of China’s human rights improving steps and welcomed them. Push all you want forward! More important is human responsibility. No responsibility no rights. In this issue I think it is our responsibility to differ the disintegrate group from pro-human right, never mix them together and express the wrong message to the Chinese government, which I believe is what the Kevin said misunderstanding. Another responsibility is to try our best to encourage our athletes, and to respect their effort meanwhile to promote the best of Australia Fair to the Chinese people and the other parts of the world.

As far as boycotting the Chinese products, it was played several times in the history, the results were bad to both sides. You will understand it if you have some ideas about why Kevin visits China, believe me, should not and definitely not for the Tibetans. And the impact would be worse if the human rights message turns into Independence of Tibet by misunderstanding which caused by our wrong action in Torch relay or Olympics.

By the way, anyone who’s concerning about the slavery in Tibet by Beijing Government or in other parts of China, could you please go to China once and have a look or at least read some books about China.

Or another strategy would be simply just go and do it. I think a fair summary of the comments on this thread is:

1.protesting can be good;
2.at least people should understand the issues if they want to protest them;
3.protests only work if enough people protest long enough to make an impact on those controlling the issue; and
4. If you only want positive comment don’t seek advice on RA;)

Curious fact: I think the last time anybody mentioned ‘giant balls’ on RA , it was someone talking about his sexual experience with an admitted pedophile in the toilets in Qbn! Now that’s something worth protesting!

Hi tap, the thought of boycotting chinese goods comes not so much from wanting to make an impact (that would be unrealistic) , as not wanting to feel like a hypocrite … protesting about human rights abuses and then exploiting the exploited. I’m also trying not to buy ‘blood on the teeth’ chocolate! Protest by all means – each to their own, and don’t respond seriously to people joshing you in this discussion – some people prefer not to have dour discussions and would rather bait you!

Ok the list of things a person has to do/have done in order to protest so far as I understand it:

1. Pass a written examination about the issue/s.

2. Point to Tibet on the map (and do it faster than the reporter did in the you tube video a few comments up).

3. Have previously engaged in a life threatening protest about the same issue. Preferably for a long time. Regardless of if the main reason that drove you to protest happened only recently.

4. Plan to spend the rest of your life protesting (you are allowed to stop if the issue gets resolved though, which is a fairly big if in some cases).

5. Not protest about too many things, else be forever labbeled a ‘flashmobber’ or whatever you people call it.

6. Have had a (over!!) 40 minute conversation with a Chinese lady in Floriade.

That all? I don’t have to have previously diverted a comet from its impending crash course with Tibet using only a can opener? Perhaps I should have to be able to recite buddhist mantras while simulataneously chaining myself to a Chinese Nuclear Tank Plane, having not eaten anything but salted yak poo for the last month?

One point you raised that is interesting is that you believe I want to attack the flame. This is not something I plan to do. All my protest will be is turning by back when the runner passes, hopefully along side many people doing the same. Again this is another thing that will just have to take my word for, or not if thats your preference.

How about a bit of a truce? Can we agree that if you were upset about this issue then you would be hungry, on fire, chained up at the embassy, and that you have really large balls? But I ask you to understand where I am coming from, which I know will be hard, as a man with a large a set of balls as you have must find it difficult to understand that I am only endowed with average balls: I fear that I do not have the willpower to succeed in a hunger strike. Yes its true, I would most probably cave in wihin a day or two, I would try to sew my lips together, but I can’t sew. I would ask someone who can sew to do it for me, but then I would have no way of hiding the fact that I’m really really not keen on having my lips sewed together. I would chain myself to the embassy, but I have to work to pay for the food that I am too average to give up. Will you forgive me this weakness? Unfortunately I am not alone in this condition of Average Ball Having (ABH), many other people who God didn’t see fit to equip with tyranasaurus balls also think that perhaps the best way they can try and voice their displeasure is to band together and do it. At the moment it seems all over the world people with average sized balls, some with no balls whatsoever, are banding together and turning their seperate, quiet voices into a large call for change that the whole world is hearing, and you can be sure China is hearing too (whether or not China changes anything due to the protest is not the point of why I’m protesting as stated in an earlier comment).

As far as the idea of boycotting Chinese products, that sounds like something that could work, but imagine how difficult it would be to organise enough people to stop buying Chinese goods to even cause half the stir of what the relay protests have already caused when there are already people who are so against ‘a single days protest that gets quickly forgotten and [apparently] has no real political support outside of China’ (I guess Kevin Rudd supporting the right of people to protest if they choose must be the exception that proves the rule). Having said that, if it does get organised, ill be a part of it.

I-filed said :

Anyone attending the rally who is NOT guilty of constantly buying products made in China that are so cheap they must have been made with slave labour? Rather than protesting at the torch rally, I’m going to attempt to check out the provenance of the the things I buy from now on.

Now if enough people did that it might have greater effect than a single days protest that gets quickly forgotten and has no real political support outside of China. On the downside it’d probably result in mass starvation of the poor bastards who currently earn nothing after slaving all day but it would surely highlight a global feeling and get the Chinese leaderships attention (well,maybe).

Personally I’d boycott all but Chinese food – sorry, its waaaaaay to good to pass up for any reason (and its not effecting the Chinese economy in any way)!

Anyone attending the rally who is NOT guilty of constantly buying products made in China that are so cheap they must have been made with slave labour? Rather than protesting at the torch rally, I’m going to attempt to check out the provenance of the the things I buy from now on.

Tap – Not sure how I could have been clearer but I’ll try again. Protesting as great as long as you know what you are protesting and not jumping on a fashionable bandwagon. You state you feel strongly about China and Tibet. If this is the case, why haven’t you protested long and loud about this before now? If you have you’ve certainly been very quite (unless you’re that Chinese lady who gave me about 20 Falun Gong Flyers heading into Floriade last year – BTW: My wife and I spent over 40 minutes talking to her to try and understand the issues – who’d have thought this was possible, after all the TV has all the facts, right?!)

In essence, you’re argument makes CanberraGarnders Case, i.e. you feel so strongly about Tibet that you’re suddenly going to join a disparate group of others (who have also done sweet FA about protesting the China/Tibet before)to attack a gas fired flame being carried around your own town by a citizen of your own country. All because you saw this being done on TV by a few other people overseas. Oh and by the way, if China didn’t listen to those in London and the US, do you think they’ll pay attention because you booo’d the flame here in little ol’Canberra?

If you are serious about China/Tibet and you feel you actually do know what the issues is about then fill your boots, but FFS… don’t stop your protest until China says sorry and leaves Tibet or you die of old age or boredom. Otherwise, you’re protest at the flame will be seen as an ridiculous attempt to join a popular cause, just because its been shown on telly.

As for calling Maelinar a clown, do you mean a ‘Bozo’ type of clown or the more sinister ‘JW Gacy’ type? Personally I think he’d be more in the mould of Charlie Chaplin – i.e. he makes you laugh but carries a serious message…. then again he could be more like Gacy…. one or the other…

@WMD – WTF are you on about ?

@Tap – I don’t usually resort to titles unless other people are bandying about their own. Since you weren’t referring to my comment, well good karma all around. I’ll take the clown comment on the chin – primarily since I don’t actually care what you think, and secondarily, because I probably am.

Global warming.

Fact: There were and are some problems in Xinzang or Tibet about human rights,while the other parts of China or other countries are facing the same or similar situations.There were and are also some people or groups trying to desintergrate Tibet or somewhere else from China.

Fact: In March, especially the “crackdown” day,a so called “protest” happened in Tibet, the purpose of the “protest” is for human rights or independence is unknown,’cause there were no slogan or banner shown in news pictures or to be delivered through common ways.And no signs of that “protest” showed that it was a peaceful or non-violent event, all we can see in the news pictures are burnt houses and stores,monks and riots’ attacking.On the same day,similar vents occured in several neighbour provinces.Finally, the appearance of millitary,with the crackdown VS violents.(Civilians and non-violent monks from either camp were both wounded or dead.)

Fact:Chinese goverment admits its a violent crackdown,’cause the violent situation.Medias started to focus on both Tibet and the most Tibet-related person, Dalailama,who alleged he had nothing to do with it especially emphasied it was a peaceful protest.

Fact:World Medias such as CNN,BBC reported Tibet events and Dalailama and his subsequent views continuously till the Olympic Torch Relay, proclaiming it was a crackdown on human right issue.Tibeten Protests suddenly appeared around the world and protest for human right,which were detailed reported.Meanwhile Chinese people around the world were condemning the western media about the proclaim and views as prejudiced,which hardly existed on majority medias.

Fact:Human rights and Tibet-independence protests are trying their best to sabotage along the torch relay,even some local people joins the protest without knowing what actually happended,only by the flag of human rights.Oppositely Chineese people especially overses ones forming another protest campagin againt the independence or desintergate protest and medias’ prejudiced reports.

Seeing only the beginning and the end we can see: There are still human rights problems in China,which is a long time existing and tackling issue.People are starting to protest for only Tibeten human rights and independence of Tibet as a bundle of human rights in Tibet camp.Furthermore we are protesting these political views on a worldwide sports event because people are watching this game.

So,what role or roles are you playing in these FACTS?Protesting or not, what indeed are you protesting about?

BerraBoy68, so you’re problem with me wanting to protest is that im not protesting enough? I just want to make sure that is your point (as backwards as it may seem) before i respond. Or is your point that you are way better and smarter than me? If thats the case you can have it. Enjoy.

The best time to protest is when people are actually looking….

So Tap, I’ve not seen you protesting outside the Chinese Embassy in all the years I’ve been driving/cycling past there. I’d have thought that with you “feeling strongly” about Tibet and so anti-china, you’d at least have taken time to go there and protest prior to now!

You’ve had all the time in the world to protest against China but now you suddenly have an urge to do it take your anger out on an a gas fired flame. You wild, devil may care, rebel you. If you want to make a real point against China, go on a hunger strike outside their gates for a few months or chain yourself to the fence or something two months after the games finish, but please, enough about your long standing feelings. I hope it makes you feel like you’ve ‘done your bit’.

FFS…..

tap, you are probably doing a much better job than them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twHzXN3kNTs

One other thing, if you think the only reason I am protesting is so that I might be on tv or something, that is incorrect. But there is no way to prove that, so you’ll just have to take my word for it, or not.

“A chinese guy also told me that the falun gong protesters outside the embassy are unemployed Chinese paid to stand around.”

I heard they were just another group of flashmobbers.

I really dont want to get into this so ill just say that i strongly disagree with Chinas actions regarding Tibet. Now maybe the monks were worse than China is, maybe not (ill watch the episode tonight, ive seen a few episodes and ive always liked them), if so then maybe that has something to do with the previous Dalai Llama not the current one, maybe not. Maybe it was the times, maybe not. To me that doesn’t really matter as thats not why I will be protesting, I will be protesting because I am against the human rights abuses that are taking place by the Chinese government. If other regimes have previously been horrible to the Tibetan people, then that sucks, but it does not justify what the Chinese are doing.

I must admit though, if it turns out the current Dalai Llama is actually some kind of bastard, I will be massively surprised. And very disappointed. But to me it does seem that its time for the Chinese to enter into talks with him.

As far as whether or not I think its cool to be seen standing up for “human rights” as some have accused me of, of course I do. How is it not? Maybe I work off a different meaning of the word cool, but in my life in general I try to do things I think are cool and not do things I think are not cool. Do other people not? Is CanberraResident wishing he could protest but won’t because its cool? Maybe, but it seems more likely that he thinks that being seen talking about how little everyone else knows is cool, and thats why he is doing that.

What I don’t understand here is what the people who are anti protesting want. A requirement that a written examination be taken by anybody wishing to protest to prove that they know (what somebody decides) is enough about the issue? Or perhaps that protest become illegal? Maybe people are against protest because they don’t think it acieves anything, and if you can’t win don’t try. If that is the case then our disagreement is a simple one, i believe that if a person feels strongly enough about something, then they should do what they can to try change that thing, even if in the end the persons effort means little to nothing. And you do not. Fine, but the fact is that protesting has worked in the past, protesting at sporting events too.

Protesting is my right, and I choose to exercise it.

Now you all get to rip me apart. Yippee. If anyone has a go at me about spelling or grammatical mistakes then ill respond right now: Get well and truly fucked.

Anyone else watch the Penn and Teller show Bullshit. they had some very interesting things to say about the whole Tibet thing.

Basically the monks when they were running the place were worse than the Chinese.

There are always two sides to any story.

@Tap – I want the detail – the only thing I know about the whole TIbet thing is the Penn and Teller side of it – tell me your side.

CanberraResident, I could go into ‘DETAIL’ about why i want to do what i want to do, but why should I have to justify myself to you? You just go ahead and believe your assumptions based off nothing and Ill go ahead and think your a twat for making assumptions based off nothing and that’ll be that.

Bye.

CanberraResident8:13 am 11 Apr 08

So, Tap … you have a desire to protest for the problems affecting another country, but what have you done in the way of protests in your own backyard? I suspect nothing. Wear a bright shirt on “protest” day … that way you’re sure to be noticed which I suspect is your main aim here.

Bye.

Joe Canberran6:47 am 11 Apr 08

I have. About 4 years ago.

Although the chinese had brought some benefits the discrimination against the native tibetans was huge and living conditions were awful.

Beautiful but stark place.

Deadmandrinking2:46 am 11 Apr 08

Mael running away from a fight? aw…

Just curious,has any of you been to Tibet?

Thanks ill check that out. 🙂

The Australia Tibet Council is organising. Not sure of the particulars. But they have a website. Just google it.

CanberraResident, believe whatever you like.

Canberra Resident, can you explain briefly why you feel that the situation in Tibet is going well?

Why the Dalai Lama cannot live in his own country?

Why the Tibetan culture is being forced out, and those who complain are disposed of?

A chinese guy also told me that the falun gong protesters outside the embassy are unemployed Chinese paid to stand around.

But I don’t actually believe it. It is the sort of thing an intolerant regime would say.

CanberraResident11:24 pm 10 Apr 08

CanberraResident said :

Tap, in your own words and without looking it up – can you describe in DETAIL what you plan to protest about and why? From my experience, many protesters have little idea of what they are protesting about, but Tap … I am not suggesting you fall in this category.

tap said :

Canberra Resident, Yes. Yes I can.

Tap – your response was very predictable. Just goes to show you have NO idea, and you just like the idea of being part of a protest, any protest. They could be protesting against the length of teabag strings and you’d take part. If you are passionate about protesting, then at least express your reasons for attending the protest when someone asks the question. Oh, and I can predict your next response, so don’t bother …

ifan – you are spot on. Most protestors have NO friggin’ idea – they just go along because they think it’s coooooool to be seen standing up for “human rights” … but when you ask them to explain the purpose of the protest … they have no bloody idea! Too funny.

I heard that many protesters in Lodon, Paris and SF had no idea where is Tibet, what happened there and what the protest was for. They were just paid very well for standing there with some flags and banners.

Will the AFP dress their clerks up in police uniform to save money again this time around one wonders? Didn’t they do that for the Bush visit? There were all these lumpy little clerks with fat tummies in uniforms that didn’t fit, bagging around their ankles … all the way up Commonwealth Avenue!

Just not lording it around at the moment huh? And i wasn’t refering to your comment, you are just a clown.

Tap, if that comment was directed at me, I still am. I was responding in kind to LG’s post at any rate, so….. hop it.

Anyway, as I said earlier, since Symonds is carrying the torch, how come Stanhope is asking for more money – surely he isn’t that expensive to hire for a couple of days ?

i think its a great question tap. i read somewhere today that even if canberra can have street lined with some type of quiet understated peaceful protests, the propoganda images will be spoilt.
thats a good enough message sent for me. i would have thought Mr Humanrights-Bhoutrous Stanhope would be all for that…
and to be fair, China needs to lift its game on many things such as their environmental impacts and their treatment of all their citizens or “citizens”.
Also, its only to be expected that Australia is put under the same spotlight for our treatment of indigenous people if we get another olympics…

I propose that the protestors take off their clothes.

Canberra Resident, Yes. Yes I can.

CanberraResident7:49 pm 10 Apr 08

Tap, in your own words and without looking it up – can you describe in DETAIL what you plan to protest about and why?

From my experience, many protesters have little idea of what they are protesting about, but Tap … I am not suggesting you fall in this category.

I found it interesting in the CT today that some Aboriginal leader has come out in support of it, as it’s a sign of peace etc… but said something to the effect of “I know about the protests, but there’s no point. If it would help change the situation then I would support them” (paraphrasing because I don’t have it with me). So the symbolism of the protest means nothing? What the hell was Sorry day about then? That sure as hell didn’t reunite torn apart families, so why did they bother, by that logic???

An actual answer! And here I was, losing hope. Cheers for that Skidbladnir, ill wait and see what happens.

Oh and Your not-so-lordshipness-anymore,
You are a clown.

It may be worth waiting for a “where is the protest group” thread until an Official Route gets published in the CT (April 21) for the actual torch relay (April 24). EventsACT haven’t disclosed anything to the public yet.

Otherwise you can just organise your get together for the Stage 88 Concert, where we can predict it is going to be.

Until then, wait for extra security arrangements and signed contracts for any extra dogs\thugs\bulldyke women to be sorted.
And by the time the extra outlay of Government (ACT or Commonwealth) funding had been agreed on, it will be too late for Stanhopeless to save face\reinvest capital (political or financial) to back out of the arrangements.
But it may well mean there are a huge number of personnel standing watch over empty streets.

Knowing the Chinese Govt, they’ll be modifying the torch so that it shoots a jet of flame 300m: that’ll really sort the protestors out!

Anyone else found it ironic that we’re being told the relay is ancient and above reproach, but it started in its current form in 1936 because Hitler wanted to play up the pagan side of his Olympics? (as noted today in Crikey)
It seems the torch relay exists to highlight oppressive regimes. Why should 2008 be any different?

An interesting feature of the San Francisco protests was the fact – reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, for example – that the Chinese consulate had bussed in many of the pro-China supporters. It was the risk of clashes between protestors that played a large part in the farcical re-routing of the torch relay. Will be interesting to see whether the Chinese embassy plays a similar role in Canberra by stacking the route with supporters waving Chinese flags (which I thought was against the spirit of the Olympics anyway). Don’t mind the blue trakkie gang – it’s the red flag wavers you should be worried about apparently.

They need to speak in code in case the pigs are reading this…

Thats fine Jenny, erm no, not a cop. I want to go and protest and i keep reading about how there are going to be protests, but I can’t find any information about where or when or anything. I guess if no one knows ill just rock up to the relay and turn my back, but if there is some organisation taking place it would be good to know about it.

I didn’t mention my opinion on the matter cause I was hoping to actually get information from this post instead of into a massive fight… we’ll see how that goes…

LG… say again?

S4anta, in Belconnen Mall, with a black mountain tower replica

Colonel Mustard, in the Civic Library, with a Grasby statue

Sorry I should have read your pseudonym before posting! 🙂

Do you work for the AFP?

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.