We recently returned from a 15 day trip to Beijing for this summer’s Olympic Games and what some would call China’s “coming out as a global super power” party. Though we were not able to attend any of the official events, we had a very positive experience with Beijing citizens- their hospitality and generosity welcomed us at every corner. Every enthusiastic family we’d meet would exclaim in English “Welcome to Beijing!”.
Our mission was to document actions by Students for a Free Tibet protesting China’s almost 60 year occupation of Tibet. Using a small HD camera and a laptop, we were able to grab high quality video and photos, upload to a secure ftp server and get the media out to the world.
As independent media makers with no established credentials, it was a frightening task to attend an action, document it properly and not get arrested for just being there. We had no hand in the physical actions themselves, we were there only to document- much like The Associated Press photographers and British ITV reporter John Ray who, incidentally, got pushed around, questioned and media confiscated. These incidents made it clear that the cooperation of independent folks, videobloggers, photographers, etc with corporate media outlets was essential. Anyone with a camera, voice recorder or a pen was equally threatening in the eyes of the Chinese government.
In a country so locked down on free speech, we had to often speak in hushed tones and not even mention the word ‘Tibet’ in public for fear of arrest. The Tibetan flag is completely illegal and cannot be shown in all of China. Several of our fellow media makers, in town for the same reasons, were not so lucky and got arrested and detained for 7 days after being followed by plainclothes police for several days. We are happy that they have all returned home safe.
Reflecting on our trip to Beijing we have a more clear understanding that this is not just about the Free Tibet movement, this is about basic human rights in Tibet, China and the rest of the world. Tibetans can’t speak out about what is happening in their country. Chinese can’t speak out about what is happening in their country. If they do, they face harsh, life threatening consequences. Some might argue that this is the only thing these two cultures have in common, but we believe it will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and the tiny spark that ignites decades of dissent from all corners of China. The protests by Students for a Free Tibet demonstrated to the world that China, with it’s oppressive treatment of their people and the people of Tibet, cannot rise to the level of global super power without facing the consequences of their actions.
For more info on China’s occupation of Tibet and how you can get involved, check out Students for a Free Tibet. Check out this wrap up article on the CCTV Banner Hang in The Washington Post and an Op-Ed about China’s use of the Olympics to lie about human rights. Also we got interviewed by Xeni on Boing Boing TV.
I think what you guys did was really cool, like I said in my email to you both, I’m just glad you are back safe and sound…
Great work. So awesome to see people doing what they stand for. Really inspiring.
many thanks for a job well done, we’re all very pleased you made it home safe…
Thanks for sharing your story in addition to the great coverage. Glad you made it home again in time to can the tomatoes
glad you posted this!
:-p
Really impressive! You folks are doing a fine job, keep up the good work…
You guys are some sneaky sombitches. Job well done.
Hey guys,
Been trying to get in touch with you both to do a quick check-in. Send me your contact info to the e-mail above or follow me on Twitter: chani007 and we can direct message.
Thanks! Hope you’re both well.
Kiri
Great job! You are an inspiration to indy media journalists everywhere. Glad you are back, safe and sound, for more action!
Hello guys. I saw stuff on twitter, but not this post. Sorry for my late comment on the subject.
that China is on the path of change. And to be honest I think they are. That doesn’t mean these efforts are not necessary. They are essential to keep China on that path of change.
Recently I read something somewhere
One thing that really made me understand China’s slow progress is the comparison with Russia. They changed from communism to capitalism over night and that had an huge negative impact on the people. The Mafia is mostly running the country because there was no infrastructure left and they provided theirs.
China doesn’t want to make the same mistake, and the shouldn’t. So I hope that beneath all the established power there is a real concern for the well being of the people of China, Tibet and the world. Because Asia is going to be leading the global picture in this century.
It’s painful that they are not there yet and that it’s still going to take a long time. But like you said “they cannot rise to the level of global super power without facing the consequences of their actions”. And they are going to be so they will.
And then I want to congratulate you with this great piece of work. It’s great to see that independent media is being appreciated and used by the global media. This is a good thing for both.
The independent media get’s a bigger stage and therefor having a bigger impact on global conscienceness (is that the right word?).
The established media gets that personal up close story that brings better value.
There will always be conflicts of interest (also a good thing), but its nice to see that they finally recognise the value and aren’t afraid to use it.
Fantastic that you were there to document the Free Tibet movement during the Olympics. I went to a march in Bombay and found that my friends and I were the only young middle class Indians there. Somehow that gave us bargaining power with the cops who were trying to discourage the protest. Everyone needs to speak up against what’s just wrong, in their little way.
Congratulations on that great shot of the Free Tibet banner. I read the NY Times article that used it. It’s amazing how much stronger the article is with the image, and good to see that even 20 seconds can make a difference when you have video.
NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/sports/olympics/20china.html
Ryanne,
Somehow I stumbled up your vlog again. Great work on the Free Tibet footage. Good to see you’re still kickin ass.
Jeff from Spot.