Tibetan exiles kicked off worldwide rallies Monday outside of the White House with two minutes of silence and cries of "Free Tibet!" 50 years after an uprising forced the Dalai Lama into exile.
As China poured troops into Tibet for the sensitive anniversary, a US lawmaker introduced a non-binding resolution before Congress that would urge China to end its "repression" of the Himalayan region.
Holding Tibetan and US flags, hundreds of exiles bowed their heads in Lafayette Park facing the White House at noon (1600 GMT) -- midnight in Tibet on March 10, the day 50 years ago that the Dalai Lama fled.
Similar rallies were expected around the globe including in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala where the Dalai Lama -- now 74 and boasting a passionate global following -- lives in exile.
"We are here to tell the world that 50 years of occupation, 50 years of persecution, 50 years of genocide is too long," said Tsering Palden, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress activist group's New York chapter.
"This struggle for Tibetan freedom will gain momentum until Tibet is free," he said to chants of "Free Tibet!"
The protesters marched to the Chinese embassy joined by one of China's most famous dissidents, Wei Jingsheng, who has questioned historical claims to Tibet put forward by his country's leaders.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/09/AR2009030902106.html
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