Events
East Coast Conference 2022
April 16, 2022
4:00 AM
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
Looking to develop leadership skills? Get involved in the movement? Advocate for Tibet? Register for SFT’s 2-day intensive conference for chapter leaders all across the east coast packed with training & networking. Participants will gain skills in: Campaign Strategy Grassroots Organizing Public Speaking Alongside other valuable tools to ensure effective action! REGISTRATION FEE : $25 (Covers food and training) Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow! REGISTER HERE! Contact grassroots@studentsforafreetibet.org for questions and accommodation requests
Remembering Tsewang Norbu
March 26, 2022
9:00 PM
41-34 75th Street, Elmhurst, Queens, NY, USA
Join SFT as we host an evening of music and poetry in dedication to the late Tsewang Norbu. As China tries to cover up his self-immolation by clamping down on the flow of information from Tibet, we remember Tsewang Norbu for his music and indomitable spirit for Tibet.
US Tibet Lobby Day
March 23, 2020
4:00 AM
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, USA
This year, Tibetan-Americans and friends of Tibet from around the US will come to Washington, DC for the twelfth annual Tibet Lobby Day on March 23 and 24. The success of Tibet Lobby Day depends on the participation and efforts of Tibet supporters like you. It is your opportunity to communicate directly with your elected representatives and let them know that they have constituents who care deeply about Tibet. This opportunity is particularly important in this time of change among our elected representatives on Capitol Hill. The US Congress has long been a bulwark of support for Tibet, from giving His Holiness the Dalai Lama his first parliamentary forum in 1987, to millions of dollars in Tibet support programs every year. But it is of vital importance that we continue to remind our Members of Congress of their longstanding commitment to Tibet. Faced with the well-funded lobbying might of the Chinese Embassy, it is critical that we speak out to let our elected representatives know of the breadth and depth of support for the cause of Tibet amongst their constituents and ensure that Tibet continues to remain on their legislative agendas. This event is a collaboration of Tibet Support Groups and Tibetan Associations in the United States. There will be a training session, and it is recommended that first-time participants, in particular, attend. The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) will help set up meetings for all participants with their Members of Congress. REGISTRATION CLOSES ON MARCH 9, 2020. Register today! WEEKEND SCHEDULE Day 1: Tibetan Youth Summit Hosted by AU Friends of Tibet What: Speakers, panel discussion and interactive lobbying training geared specifically towards students and young people Date: Saturday, 3/21/2020 Location: American University (4400 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, D.C.) Day 2: Lobby Training Hosted by ICT What: Introduction to Tibet Lobby Day 2020 and lobbying training Date: Sunday, 3/22/2020 Location: ICT Office (1825 Jefferson Place NW, Washington, D.C.) Days 3 + 4: Tibet Lobby Day 2020 What: Lobbying for Tibet Date: Monday and Tuesday, 3/23/2020 – 3/24/2020 Location: US Capitol Hill Registration link: https://tibetlobbyday.us/
61st Tibetan Uprising Day
March 10, 2020
12:00 PM
Cadman Plaza Park, Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY, USA
On 10 March 1959, tens of thousands of Tibetans took to the streets of Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, rising up against China’s illegal invasion and occupation of their homeland. Every year thousands of Tibetans and their supporters take to the streets across the world to mark the anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day. As we pay tribute to the extraordinary courage of Tibetans resisting in Tibet, and all Tibetans, past and present who have courageously resisted China’s violent colonial rule. We urge citizens around the world to join us in calling for an end to China’s occupation of Tibet. WHEN & WHERE: March 10, 2020 8:00 AM: Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn to UN 11:30 AM: United Nations (Dag Hammarshjold Plaza, 224 E. 47th St., New York) 1:30 PM: Protest from United Nations to Chinese Consulate (520 12th Ave., New York) Photo Op: Massive protest – thousands of protesters (Tibetans and non-Tibetan allies) with Tibetan flags and placards marching for Tibet through the streets of New York, including Times Square, the UN, and the Chinese Consulate. Organized by: The Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York & New Jersey Dokham Chushi Gangdruk Utsang Association of New York & New Jersey Domey Association of New York & New Jersey US Tibet Committee Students for a Free Tibet MARCH 10 AROUND THE WORLD: Minnesota, USA: https://www.facebook.com/events/246741506316640/ San Francisco, USA: https://www.facebook.com/events/2730170107029258/ Stay tuned. We will be adding more info in the coming days.
Tibetan Independence Day: Poetry and Resistance
February 13, 2020
12:00 AM
Students for a Free Tibet, East 14th Street, New York, NY, USA
Every country marks significant historical dates in its founding as a nation. Regardless of its current political status, Tibet is no exception and Students for a Free Tibet has set aside February 13th as an important day to commemorate Tibet’s independent past. In occupied countries, observing independence day is a powerful expression of a people’s desire for freedom. Since 2013, February 13th has been celebrated in over 30 cities worldwide. Tibetans and their supporters have commemorated the 2008 Uprising, the Tibetan flag, the Centennial of the 1913 Tibetan Proclamation of Independence, and the Legacy of the Tibetan Empire by organizing flag raising ceremonies, exhibitions, lobbying event and other creative actions to put a spotlight Tibet’s independent past. Globally, elected representatives took part in honoring this day and showed solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet. This year, join us in commemorating February 13 with a special theme: "Poetry and Resistance." The event will be an evening of poetry and spoken word. The event is a space to celebrate the voices of those fighting for freedom and justice in Tibet and around the world. An invaluable part of any resistance movement, art (and particularly poetry) has the power to empower freedom fighters and connect allies. On this night, we honor the Tibetan people and freedom fighters living under brutal regimes around the world and throughout time. The event will feature several poetry readings of Tibetans and allies. The set program will be followed by an open mic portion for attendees to share their own works or recite poetry that has moved them personally. Tibetan butter tea and khabsey will be served. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5.
Book Launch and Research Talk - Resistance and Unity
January 31, 2020
12:00 AM
Tibet House US, West 15th Street, New York, NY, USA
How can telling a history of resistance be part of a movement for unity? In exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama asked elders to document history by sharing their experiences in writing. Makchi Shangri Lhagyal, a commander in the Chushi Gangdrug resistance army, took his leader’s words to heart. On his deathbed, he narrated his life story and the fight for Tibet to his children. After years of research and writing, his family now presents his biography together with a history of the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Co-authored by Tashi Gelek, Tashi Dhondup, and Dorjee Damdul, and edited by Professor Carole McGranahan, Resistance and Unity: The Chinese Invasion, Makchi Shangri Lhagyal, and a History of Tibet (1947-1959) is a true labor of love and contribution to the Tibetan cause. Please join us for the NYC launch of this book with a joint presentation on the book and the ongoing Tibetan resistance by Dorjee Damdul and Carole McGranahan. Tenzin Dorjee will be the Host/MC. Friday, January 31st, 7-9 pm | Free and Open to the Public/Registration not required. Co-sponsors: The Andrug Family Foundation, Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk, Students for Free Tibet, and Tibetan Youth Congress. Go to following link for the interview (in Tibetan) with the author - VOA Tibetan: https://www.facebook.com/voatibetan/videos/560023098061450/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorjee Damdul is a reporter at Radio Free Asia (RFA) Tibetan language service in Washington, DC. Carole McGranahan is Professor of Anthropology, History, and Tibetan Studies at the University of Colorado. She is the author of Arrested Histories: Tibet, the CIA, and Memories of a Forgotten War (Duke University Press, 2010)
Human Rights Day: A Talk with Nyima Lhamo
December 10, 2019
11:00 PM
Campus Center - University of Massachusetts Amherst, Campus Center Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
Join us for an intimate talk with Nyima Lhamo, a human rights defender from Tibet, as she shares the story of her journey for justice. About this Event Nyima Lhamo is a human rights defender and the niece of the late Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. As a result of Nyima Lhamo’s public questioning of the cause of Rinpoche’s death in Chinese prison and her demands for an independent investigation, she was arbitrarily detained by Chinese authorities, along with her mother Dolkar Lhamo, before she fled Chinese-occupied Tibet in July 2016 to start her world journey to seek justice for Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. She has testified her case at the UN, US Capitol and the White House to pledge her case. Nyima Lhamo’s family continues to be harassed by the Chinese authorities, who threaten continued persecution of her family unless she stops her advocacy for the late Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. The talk will be translated by Dhardon Sharling, former member of Tibetan Parliament and current PhD candidate at UMass Amherst. The talk will be followed by a Q+A session. The event is co-hosted by UMass Amherst Students for a Free Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet International. RSVP here.
Human Rights Day: Equality, Justice, Dignity for All
December 8, 2019
5:00 PM
United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, USA
Please join us as we stand up against the Chinese Communist Party together. On December 10th, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a bold and empowering Declaration, proclaiming the inalienable rights for each and every human being. Yet, this year, in 2019, we continue to see the ongoing human rights violations that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) commits not only to their own people — but also to our friends in Tibet, East Turkistan, Hong Kong, Southern Mongolia and Kazakhstan. We continue to see the CCP's increasing pressure on democratic Taiwan. We stand in solidarity with all those under the boot of CCP's authoritarianism. Join us on December 8th 12pm at the United Nations where together, we call on the international community to recognize equality, justice and human rights for all. We will take to the streets of NYC and march to Union Square Plaza, while we urge fellow New Yorkers to uphold and protect the rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We welcome and encourage attendees to bring flags, posters and banners! #ResistTheCCP Cohosts: Activists from Hong Kong, RTYC NYNJ, East Turkistan National Awakening Movement, Students for Free Tibet, Chushi Gangdruk, Keep Taiwan Free, Taiwanese American Association of New York, US Tibet Committee, Free Southern Mongolia, FreeKazakhs.
SFT Canada Longsho Presents Mariko
November 29, 2019
11:00 PM
Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre, Titan Road, Etobicoke, ON, Canada
SFT Canada is so excited to present to you the LONGSHO TOUR with our headliner MARIKO making her Canadian debut along with MC and comedian Sonam Wangdue from NYC and many talented local artists! Confirmed Artists and Speakers: Mariko (Tibetan Transgender Icon, Activist and Performer, India) Sonam Wangdue (MC and Comedian, NYC) Rangzen Shonu (Pioneer of Contemporary Music, activists) Namgyal Yeshi (Rapper and Activist, NYC) Dorjee Tseten (SFT Executive Director, NYC) Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale-High Park MPP, activist and former board/staff) Chemi Lhamo (President of SCSU, activist and board member) SAVE THE DATE FOR MARIKO'S DEBUT CANADIAN PERFORMANCE!