Man Lights Himself on Fire Amidst Worldwide Protests Against China

Flags raised in London by Tibetan protesters, Americans arrested in China for intending to raise Tibetan flags, protest march in Dharmsala, and a man lights himself on fire; all on the eve of the Olympics in Beijing. Apparently part of a staged plan of protest timed to coincide with the Olympic opening ceremonies. The Tibetans and others who have been oppressed and also people who are sympathetic to their plight have amassed to make their voices heard and to draw attention to China's human rights abuses.

In Dharmsala where the Tibetan's exiled government and Dalai Lama have made home, over two-thousand protesters marched the streets while people in Katmandu, the capital city of Nepal, protesters attempted to storm the Chinese embassy; resulting in over a thousand arrests for violating a ban on demonstrations.

Three Americans representing Students for a Free Tibet were arrested in China for planning to raise Tibetan flags during the Olympic opening ceremonies.

In London, the Chinese embassy there was confronted by protesters speaking against China's treatment of people in Tibet, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Myanmar.

A Briton on a major bridge in Hong Kong who unfurled two banners with messages of freedom and democracy was arrested and could be charged with being a public nuisance.

To ensure a smooth opening ceremony, days before the Olympic event, foreign protesters had already been deported while citizens were arrested.

Many people believe that China should not have been given rights to host the Olympics because of its unethical human rights abuses. The worldwide protests are an attempt to draw some attention of Olympic viewers and spectators to the plight of people who have been oppressed by China.

Activists across the globe increased their world wide demonstrations against China as early as March when Chinese military took action against protests in the Tibetan capital; possibly the largest protest demonstrations in over fifty years since the Chinese formally took power. The Tibetans believe that China has invaded their land and forced the people into submission, while the Chinese government claims that the region has been under their domain for thousands of years.

The current increase of political demonstrations might have two lasting effects on the Chinese people. One, the world will see their suffering and demand a more humanitarian approach to China's attempts to maintain order. Two, after restructuring and updating the technology of Beijing's security network for the Olympic event; Chinese officials will simply make use of the new system to more efficiently and effectively put down future protests and demonstrations.