CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA
P R O C L A M A T I O N
Declaring March 10, 2022 as Tibetan Uprising Day
WHEREAS, Tibetan Uprising Day commemo rates the 1959 Tibetan uprising, where tens of thousands of Tibetans took to the streets of Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, against the People’s Republic of China’s illegal invasion, occupation, suppression of human rights and freedom, and intentional marginalization of Tibetan language, culture, and identity; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in China published b y the United States Department of State asserts , “Significant human rights issues included: forced disappearances; torture; arbitrary detention; political priso ners; censorship and website blocking; substantial interference with the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; severe restrictions on religious freedom; severe restrictions on freedom of movement; and restrictions on political participation;” and
WHEREAS, in December of 2020, the United States Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Tibet Policy and Support Act, (1) making it official policy that t he Dalai Lama’s succession is strictly a religious issue that only he and hi s followers can decide on, (2) strengthening the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, (3) addressing water security and environmental destruction in Tibet, (4) providing humanitarian assistance for Tibetans, and (5) pushing China to negotiate with the Dalai Lama and Tibetan leaders without preconditions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond is home to the Tibetan Association of Northern California’s community center and serves the third largest Tibetan community in United States , a vibrant community who has contributed to the diversity of our culture and tradition; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond has long support ed the Tibetan people , having welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he visited the Tibetan Community Center in 2014 and having renamed a part of Huntington Avenue to Dalai Lama Avenue in honor of his 84th birthday; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond stands in solidarity with the Tibetan people and their just, peaceful, and non-violent movement to rem ind the world of the occupation, suppression, and degradation of culture, religion, land, and identity of the Tibetan people by China.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Richmond City Council does hereby declare March 10, 2022 as Tibetan Uprising Day in the City of Richmond and invites community members to attend the virtual Tibetan flag raising ceremony being held on March 9, 202 2 at 10:00 am to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the Tibetan uprising (www.tinyurl.com/CORTUD2022).
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Mayor Tom Butt
City of Richmond, California
March 1, 2022