August 22: Free the Beijing 6

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More information
View photos & bios: Brian Conley, Jeffrey Rae, Jeff Goldin, Michael Liss, and Tom Grant
Learn more about Alive in Baghdad
Learn more about Graffiti Research Labs’ James Powderly

View Brian’s Statement Made Before Leaving the U.S.

view and download the original video on blip.tv

Full Statement from SFT

These individuals were in Beijing to amplify Tibetan voices calling for freedom and human rights and the right of all people to freedom of expression. They are no more guilty of a crime than Tibetans or Chinese who speak out for justice and for the Chinese authorities to sentence them at all shows the government’s paranoia and intolerance of even the most peaceful challenges to its control.

In recent days there have been reports of Tibetans in Tibet being shot and killed for peacefully protesting against Chinese rule. Just yesterday, two elderly Chinese women, Wu Dianyuan ,79, and Wang Xiuying, 77, were sentenced to one year in a labor camp for doing nothing more than applying for permission to protest the destruction of their homes at the so-called Chinese government sanctioned ‘protest zones.’

While we recognize that ten days in jail pales in comparison to the consequences for those living under Chinese government rule who dare to speak out, we categorically reject the validity of this sentence, as well as the notion that the expression or documentation of a person’s view is a punishable offense. We demand the immediate release of Brian Conley, Jeffrey Rae, Jeff Goldin, Michael Liss, Tom Grant, and James Powderly.

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A few personal stories show better than anything else what the situation is on the ground in Tibet and in China for everyday people. These stories are all reported through personal connections because there is no outside media allowed in Tibet at this time.

Tibetan nun Sonam Yungzom, Killed
A Tibetan nun named Sonam Yungzom is reported to have been shot while shouting slogans in Kardze town, eastern Tibet (now part of Sichuan province) on August 10th. One source says she yelled out: “There are no human rights in China, there is brutal oppression in Tibet, still the Olympics go on in China.” She was hit by five to six bullets and then her body was thrown in a vehicle and taken away.

Unidentified Man Killed
An unidentified man is reported to have been shot and killed a few days earlier in the same town after he brought a photo of the Dalai Lama and protested.

Two Women Randomly Shot
In Ngaba, another town in eastern Tibet, two women were shot and wounded while walking down the street on August 9th. Chinese troops in the town had increased from 2,000 to 10,000 at the beginning of August, and it seems that some decided to take pot-shots at the local people.

Two Grandmothers Sentenced
And in China itself, the story that no one can ignore: yesterday, two Chinese women in their seventies, Wu Dianyuan and Wang Xiuying, were sentenced to a year in a labor camp. Their crime was to apply for a permit to protest at one of the Olympic protest sites.
view the original story here…

Freedom of expression, along with many other fundamental rights, is missing in China and Tibet. Brian Conley, Jeffrey Rae, Jeff Goldin, Michael Liss, Tom Grant and James Powderly are being held in Beijing for nothing more than their commitment to that freedom. We ask all individuals to help further their work and the spirit of their actions by carrying their stories, and the stories of the Tibetans and Chinese they were trying to help, to the entire world right now.

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More on What YOU can do
We are happy to have confirmation of the detainees well-being and appreciate the Embassy’s work. But our work is not done, because we can still advocate for their early release and fair treatment during detention.

Students for a Free Tibet is recommending the following as an advocacy strategy. See below for specific information on calling elected officials.
· close friends and family of the detained: contact their elected officials and urge humane treatment during the detention and a speedy and safe release of all international detainees (now 10, 8 of whom are US citizens)
· anyone who has close contacts in Congressional offices or the State Department: please do the same
· all others: please wait to contact government officials. We want to maintain clear and constant pressure for action, but don’t want to overwhelm and annoy them.
· everyone: continue to work on increasing media coverage of this issue, and spreading the word among your associates

1. When calling the State representative or Senators:

It is important to call the Congressperson that represents the district where your family member/friend is registered. U.S. Senators are by State not district, so call the ones responsible for New York, or Pennsylvania.

1. Here is a list of congressional representatives:

NEW YORK:

1. For Tom Grant: His Congressman is Jerold Nadler (District 8, New York). The person to speak to in the district office is Ellen Wallach, the Director of Constituent Services: 212-367-7350.
2. For Michael Liss, Jeff Goldin and Jeremy Wells: Their Congresswoman is Carolyn Maloney (District 14, New York). There is no one specifically assigned to constituent services at the moment, so best to call the general district office number: 212-860-0606.
3. For James Powderly and John Watterberg: Their Congresswoman is Nydia Velázquez and the person in the Washington D.C. office who handles these situations is Max Trujillo and can be reached by calling the general number and asking for him: 202-225-2361.

PENNSYLVANIA:

4. For Brian Conley: His Congressman is Chaka Fattah (District 2, Pennsylvania). The person to speak to in their district office is Ilona Glover: 215-387-6404.
5. For Jeff Rae: His Congressman is Joe Sestak (District 7, Pennsylvania). Call the district office at: 610-892-8623.

2. Here is a list of U.S. Senators for NY and Pennsylvania:
1. New York

1. Clinton, Hillary Rodham- (D – NY)
476 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4451
Web Form: clinton.senate.gov/contact
2. Schumer, Charles E.- (D – NY)
313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm

2. Pennsylvania

1. Casey, Robert P., Jr.- (D – PA)
383 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
Web Form: casey.senate.gov/contact/
2. Specter, Arlen- (R – PA)
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: http://specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

3. What to say:
1. Say your name and the name of the detainee you are calling about. While we did our best to gather a comprehensive list of people to talk with, given that the Democratic National Convention is starting in a few days (8/25-8/28), staff members may have changed and you may need to clarify that you are speaking with the correct person to handle (a) Constituent services and/or (b) State department liaison issues. It is likely that you will be asked if you are a constituent – be honest and if you are not, stress that you are calling on behalf of a constituent who you are concerned about.

2. Tell them that you are counting on their representative/senator to do everything in their power to push for a speedy release of your family member/friend. You are calling on them to use their powers to ensure that the Chinese government upholds international law and provides them access to their embassy representatives and does not mistreat them in any way.

3. If they ask about the circumstances of the detainment:

i. While we do not know the specifics of where they were detained, we know that Brian Conley, Jeff Rae, Jeff Goldin, Tom Gant, Michel Liss and James Powderly were not actively participating in any protests at the time. They had been in Beijing to document the story of the ongoing protests for Tibetan independence during the Olympic games. They did not do anything that credentialed journalists haven’t done. In fact, you have seen on the news that there have been three journalists detained while covering Free Tibet protests in Beijing and those folks have all been rapidly released.
ii. Jeremy Wells and John Watterberg were detained after simply putting their fists in the air and standing in solidarity with a Tibetan-German man who held a Tibetan flag and cried “Free Tibet”.

4. Make sure they have your name and number if they need to get a hold of you in the future. Thank them for their time and efforts on behalf of your family member/friend.