Minnesota Tibetans brave snow to protest China's actions

Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune

Tibetans and their supporters gathered Monday in downtown Minneapolis to protest China’s crackdown in their homeland.

Minnesota's large Tibetan community turned out during a spring storm for a demonstration timed to coincide with the arrival of the Olympic torch in Beijing.

By LORA PABST, Star Tribune

Last update: March 31, 2008 - 11:36 PM

With clear plastic bags covering their heads in a futile attempt to keep out the heavy, wet snow, about 200 Minnesota Tibetans protested outside of the federal courthouse in downtown Minneapolis Monday.

The protest was scheduled to coincide with Monday's arrival of the Olympic torch in Beijing. Twin Cities Tibetans hoped to draw attention to the violence that has plagued Tibet over the past few weeks as Tibetans challenge Chinese authority.

Whipping wind and snowflakes didn't deter the kids bundled in brightly colored winter jackets or the elders wrapped in heavy wool sweaters and the Tibetan flag. The group steadily grew as rush-hour traffic crept past. The protesters, many of them children, chanted "Shame China, free Tibet."

Kalsang Phuntsok, president of the Minnesota chapter of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, said Tibetan-American youth in the Twin Cities have been very active in local protests.

"The sense of being Tibetan has passed from one generation to another," he said. "They are learning it is their responsibility to be a voice for the people in Tibet who don't have a voice."

Tenzin Lhanze, 12, of Minneapolis, said she came out in the cold because her parents and grandparents have taught her that "Tibet is a wonderful place."

Over the past few years, Tibetan-Americans from around the country have been drawn to the Twin Cities, and it is now home to the second-largest Tibetan community in the United States. Local Tibetan organizations plan to hold more protests and candlelight vigils in the coming months.

Tenzin Namgyal, a 22-year-old college student from Kentucky, came to Minnesota this week to visit his uncle. Like many Tibetans, he has several family members still in Tibet, including his mother. The recent violence has made communication impossible, so he doesn't know if his family is safe.

"I feel very worried, but I can't do anything," he said. "I'm just hoping they are fine."

The strong sense of community among Minnesota Tibetans was heartening in a time when he's anxious about his family, he said.

"It feels really good to see all of these Tibetans here," Namgyal said.

Lora Pabst • 612-673-4628