The Olympic Torch came to my home town Canberra yesterday and the people did us proud. Not only was the beautiful capital city of Oz, perfectly displayed on a warm, sunny Autumn morning via international television but the people of the 'Berra came out to protest in the civilised fashion for which they are famous.
The torch-bearers weren't molested on their journey, because the 'games' are not being protested, only the host-country, China is being protested. So it went that while the cameras and the tourists watched the torch's progress through our beautiful city, the crowds in the background were a tumult of noise and colour.
The Chinese had organised a large group of people to wave the flag and make very pro-China noises but the smaller group of 'Free-Tibet' protesters would not be drowned out. The police had issued a statement the day before saying that they "expected" the people of Canberra to "behave" and not cause a ruckus.
The people declined and there were many scuffles between the two groups of protesters and even between them and the police. Arrests were made and the point was driven home that even though you might like to pretend that the 'games' are not about nations and the behaviour of those nations, there will always be consequences for abhorrent political behaviour.
Originally the Olympic games were for individuals to compete against each other, for the love of competitive sport. Now, they are about nations and the competitors simply represent their countries.
So China, be aware, that even though you smile and are friendly to the world, the world knows what you're doing and we are not fooled by your smiles. We do not accept you as an equal because of your barbaric cruelty in Tibet and until you free those people in that Buddhist nation, we will not welcome you. People will not be quiet about it, because unlike the people in your country, we are free to speak!
- FREE TIBET - BOYCOTT THE OLYMPICS -
watch it on TV if you want but don't go there, don't spend money there, don't reward barbarism.
anti-chinese