University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present University Relations 3-4-1999 UM students plan mock refugee camp as protest for Tibet University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation University of Montana--Missoula. Office of University Relations, "UM students plan mock refugee camp as protest for Tibet" (1999). University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present. 15872. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/newsreleases/15872 This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Relations at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. / v,JV a **' TheMontana University of UNIVERSITY RELATIONS • MISSOULA. MT 59812 • 406-243-2522 • FAX: 406-243-4520 H BWS RE LEAS March 4, 1999 Contact: Toni Daniels, Students for a Free Tibet. (406) 243-0672. I M STUDENTS PLAN MOCK REFUGEE CAMP AS PROTEST FOR TIBET MISSOULA- I he University of Montana’s Oval will be turned into a makeshift refugee camp on Wednesday, March 10, as Tibetan refugees and supporters commemorate the 40th anniversary' of I ibetan l prising day, when thousands of Tibetans rose up to resist the Chinese government, triggering the Dalai Lama’s clandestine flight into exile. UM s Students for a Free Tibet will join student groups on more than 50 campuses in holding protest events such as the refugee camps, which are intended to highlight the Chinese government’s abuses in Tibet. The l rM group and its supporters also will march from the Oval to the Missoula C ourthouse at 5 p.m. At the courthouse local Tibetans and visiting monks from Gaden Monastery' will lead every one in the Tibetan National Anthem and National Uprising songs Then a short speech will be given by local Tibetan high school student Tashi Lhcwa, and a letter will be read from the Dalai Lama. On March 10, 1959, thousands of Tibetans took to the streets to protest the oppressive Chinese military presence engulfing their country. During a brutal suppression of the crow ds, thousands were killed, injured and arrested or disappeared The uprising marked the beginning of Chinese rule in Tibet and triggered the mass exodus of 80,000 Tibetans into exile. Since then. -more- lite iaQS-Jl-i? thousands of Tibetans continue to flee Tibet each year, making a treacherous journey across the Himalayas to join more than 130,000 other Tibetan refugees living in exile. In addition. Students for a Free Tibet and Oscl Shen Phen Ling (Tibetan Buddhist Center) arc bringing the North American tour of monks from the Gaden Jangtse Norling monastery to Missoula March 10-14 Monks will perform a variety of rituals for the community to observe, and all events arc free and open to the public. How'ever, donations are welcome since the monks arc hoping to enlarge their overcrowded monastery in southern India. Events scheduled arc: - Monks constructing a sand mandala in the University Center’s south atrium from 10 a m. to 4 p.m. March 10-12. - A presentation on teachings of the Lam-rim, “The Graded Paths Leading to Liberated Mind,” at 7 p.m March 11 at Missoula’s Tibetan Buddhist Center, located at 441 Woodworth Avc. - A lecture by the Venerable Lobsang Tenzin on Tibetan Medicine at 7 p.m. in the Urey Lecture Hall March 12. - A presentation on living a long life from 10 a m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tibetan Buddhist Center March 13. - A presentation on Manjushn Empowerment (Wisdom Bodhisattva) from 10 a m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. in the Tibetan Buddhist Center March 14. m CBS Local Tibetans2 rl.