Proclamation Declaring March 09, 2026 as Tibetan National Uprising Day in the City of Richmond
WHEREAS, on March 09, 2026, Tibetans throughout the world will gather to commemorate the 67th Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising against the brutal occupation of their country and pay tribute to the more than one million Tibetans who lost their lives in their struggle for the freedom of Tibet;
WHEREAS, the occupation and ongoing suppression of human rights and freedom in Tibet and the intentional marginalization of Tibetan language, culture, and identity should continue to be a concern for all freedom-loving people everywhere;
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2025, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its annual report in which it noted that Chinese officials persisted in restricting religious activities of Tibetan Buddhists, including incidents in which authorities banned the admission of new monks at a Tibetan monastery, prohibited religious activities during the religious festivals in Lhasa, and forced residents to remove religious symbols displayed outside their homes;
WHEREAS, on July 2, 2025 His Holiness the Dalai Lama (who celebrated his 90th birthday in 2025) made public a statement affirming the continuation of the institution of Dalai Lama laying and clarifying its succession direction;
WHEREAS, on July 15, 2025, the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues and the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief sent a joint letter to the Chinese Government expressing grave concern at the alleged interference by the Government of China into the eventual succession process of the 14th Dalai Lama. We are also particularly concerned that the regulation of reincarnation of ‘Tibetan living Buddhas’, including by restricting the legitimacy of any reincarnation who might have been born or reside outside of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, may interfere with and possibly undermine, in a discriminatory way, the religious traditions and practices of the Tibetan Buddhist community.
WHEREAS, on December 10, 2025, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) released its annual report that documents egregious human rights violations perpetrated by the Chinese state in Tibet, including the mass expulsion of monks from Larung Gar, the closure of Tibetan schools, and the arrest of rights advocates – including the death of Gonpo Namgyal, a language rights advocate who died from torture while in custody; WHEREAS, in May- July 2024, the United States Congress passed, and the President into law Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, a crucial legislation that helps counter Chinese Government misinformation about Tibet; pushes for negotiation between Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama to end longstanding dispute;
WHEREAS, in December, 2018, the United States Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, that called for an end to China’s isolation of Tibet and providing American citizens, including Tibetan Americans in Richmond, with the same opportunity of access to Tibet as enjoyed by Chinese citizens visiting our country;
WHEREAS, in December, 2020 the United States Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Tibet Policy and Support Act, that makes it official US policy that the Dalai Lama’s succession is a strictly religious issue that only he and his followers can decide on and strengthens the landmark Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, addresses the issue of water security and environmental destruction in Tibet, provides humanitarian assistance for Tibetans in Tibet and in exile, and pushes China to negotiate with the Dalai Lama and Tibetan leaders without preconditions; and
Mayor Eduardo Martinez
City of Richmond
March 03, 2026
WHEREAS, the 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices published by the US Department of State on August 14, 2025, confirms ongoing and serious human rights abuses against the Tibetan people, including disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrest, and restrictions on religious freedom;
WHEREAS, the principle commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are: promotion of warm- heartedness, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment, and self- discipline; religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions; preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Tibet; and the study of ancient Indian knowledge of understanding and training of mind;
WHEREAS, in 1989 His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his longstanding commitment to nonviolence, peace, and willingness to compromise and seek reconciliation despite China’s brutal occupation of Tibet; and WHEREAS, in 2007, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was conferred the US Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian awards, in recognition of his contribution to Tibet and humanity; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond is home to a vibrant community of Tibetan Americans who have contributed to the diversity of our culture and tradition and is the location of the Tibetan Association of Northern California’s community center, serving the third largest Tibetan community in United States; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond has long supported the Tibetan people, having welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he visited the Tibetan community center in 2014 and renaming 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 remind the world of the occupation, suppression, and degradation of culture, religion, land, and identity of the Tibetan people by China; and
WHEREAS, on Monday, March 09, 2026, community members will gather at the steps of Richmond City Hall to raise the Tibetan flag for a week and to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising against the Chinese Communist Party’s invasion and occupation.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, and the Richmond City Council do hereby declare March 10, 2026 as Tibetan National Uprising Day in the City of Richmond.