The 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising on 10 March 1959 was commemorated in the UK through a series of events: a successful Tibet Mass Lobby of Parliament, a reflective wreath-laying ceremony outside Westminster Abbey, a rousing Tibetan Freedom March through central London, a stirring rally outside the Chinese Embassy and a poignant afternoon showcasing Tibetan culture.
Page contents
1. Tibet Mass Lobby
2. Wreath-laying Ceremony
3. Tibetan Freedom March
4. Rally at Chinese Embassy
5. Remember Tibet
6. Photos from Uprising events 2011
 Tibet Mass Lobby
On Thursday 10 March, there was a Tibet Mass Lobby at the House of Commons in Westminster organised by a coalition of UK-based Tibet organisations including Tibet Society, Free Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet UK, Tibetan Community in Britain and Tibetan Youth UK.
Over 60 Tibetans and supporters came to Parliament to directly lobby their MPs on the issue of Tibet. They were joined by many more who lobbied their MPs in their local constituencies and hundreds who sent letters and emails to their representatives that called on them to urge the government to support Tibetan democracy by welcoming the election of a new Kalon Tripa (the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile) and to invite him to the UK. MPs were also asked to sign an Early Day Motion that draws attention to the deepening crackdown inside Tibet that is curtailing basic freedoms of expression through arbitrary arrest and torture of Tibetans and calls on the government to make strong and direct representation to the Chinese government to uphold the principles of freedom of expression, ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights  and develop a timeframe of adherence.
About 40 MPs were lobbied at Westminster on the day, and well over a hundred MPs were met or written to by supporters during the week of 10 March. A big thank you to all those that took part in the lobby.
Wreath-laying Ceremony
 Prior to the Mass Lobby, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet and Tibet Society, held a wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial to Innocent Victims of Torture in front of Westminster Abbey to remember all those who have lost their lives, suffered torture, repression and loss as a result of China's ongoing occupation of Tibet. The Reverend Dr James Hawkey from Westminster Abbey led a moving multi-faith ceremony, with MPs Fabian Hamilton, Simon Hughes and Martin Horwood and Lord Steel laying the wreath.
 Tibetan Freedom March
This year's Tibetan Freedom March took place under sunny skies in central London on Saturday 12 March. Almost 500 Tibetans and supporters gathered near Parliament Square to march to the Chinese Embassy, via famous London landmarks including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. The march paused at Downing Street whilst representatives from the coalition of organising Tibet groups, including Tibet Society, delivered a letter addressed to the Prime Minister to No. 10.
The march, with its colourful flags, banners proclaiming "Freedom and Justice for Tibet" and placards urging "Britain Stand Up for Tibet", continued along Whitehall and wound its way through the packed streets of central London. As the marchers chanted "Free Tibet" and "Long Live the Dalai Lama", many passers-by cheered and clapped. Thousands of postcards with details of the Tibet issue and how to get involved were distributed along the route.
 Rally at the Chinese Embassy
For the first time the annual march was given permission to conclude with a rally outside the Chinese Embassy. Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall and Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet (pictured left), gave an stirring speech calling on everyone to take action on behalf of those inside Tibet and urge the British government to support freedom for Tibet just as they are doing for the movements currently sweeping through the Middle East and northern Africa.
The Dalai Lama's statement was read out by his UK and Northern Europe Representative, Thubten Samdup. Prayers were recited and the Tibetan Uprising song and National Anthem were sung with added gusto in the knowledge that Chinese officials would be peering through the darkened windows of the Embassy.
 The rally ended with Philippa Carrick, CEO of Tibet Society calling on Tibetans and supporters to keep lobbying their MPS, especially to urge the UK government to publicly welcome the election of new Kalon Tripa and invite him to meet the UK government, saying, "China's occupation of Tibet prevents democracy inside Tibet; under China's rule Tibetan's cannot build their own future, cannot vote for their own Prime Minister and cannot govern their own country in the way they choose. The Dalai Lama has shown great commitment to growing democracy in exile; by standing down from political duties, the Dalai Lama is giving Tibetans and the new Kalon Tripa the charge to advocate for justice and to make representation to governments that the situation inside Tibet must change. This is a huge challenge, but one that both Tibetans and we, as Tibet supporters, must take hold of and further."
 Representatives of the coalition of UK-based Tibet support groups that organised the march, including Tibet Society, Free Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet, Tibetan Community in Britain and Tibetan Youth UK, then attempted to deliver a letter to the Chinese Embassy. Despite knocking on the door, officials refused to open the door and no letter-box exists at the Embassy, the letter had to be sent by post.
Remember Tibet
Tibet's unique and threatened culture was highlighted at the Remember Tibet event in Westminster Cathedral Hall following the march and rally. Traditional Tibetan songs and dances were performed by members of the Tibetan Community in Britain to a packed hall. In addition to Tibetan Buddhist prayers and a short speech by the Dalai Lama's Representative, Thubten Samdup, there were "Voices from Tibet", readings of passages and poems written by Tibetans living in Tibet about life under occupation. Both readings exemplified the spirit and resilience of Tibetans inside Tibetan and their continued resistance to Chinese occupation.
 An inaugural "recognition award" was presented to long-term Tibet campaigner Caroline Scattergood by Thubten Samdup. Caroline, who is also a Tibet Society member, lobbies her local council to take action to support Tibet and spreads awareness in her community about the Tibet issue. For the past 12 years the Northampton council has flown the Tibetan flag at the Guildhall and, in 2002, the council granted honourary citizenship to then political prisoner Ngawang Sangdrol. Caroline is an inspirational Tibet supporter who is an example to us all and reminds us that one person CAN make a difference! Caroline dedicated her award to all those in Tibet who continue to speak out despite the dangers involved and urged everyone there to, "never give up".
Photos from Uprising events 2011
View more photos on Tibet Sociey's flickr page.
Credits: Photos on this page by Guy Bell (www.gbphotos.com), Paul Golding, Miriam Jones and Tsering Passang.
Tibet Society, the world’s first Tibet support group, was founded in 1959. Funded by its members, it has been working for over 50 years to seek justice for Tibet through parliamentary lobbying, campaigns and actions. Help keep Tibet alive by joining Tibet Society today. (Annual membership £20; Overseas £32; Life £400).
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