BOSTON—The Human Rights Torch Relay, a global grassroots campaign to raise awareness of the Chinese communist regime's escalating human rights abuses, will be arriving in the United States this week as part of its tour of over 40 countries across six continents.
The East Coast kick-off is planned for Sunday, March 30, in Massachusetts with a torch relay marathon starting at 7:30 a.m. on the Hopkinton Common, the same location where the renowned Boston Marathon will start in just a few weeks. The 27-mile HRTR marathon will end on Boston Common where a torch walk and rally is scheduled to begin at noon.
There will be speakers from participating groups at the rally, as well as live music, vendors, and other celebrations to welcome the torch to America. In addition, 47 symbolic torches will be lit at the start of the rally and will travel across the United States, where activities in 42 cities are currently planned.
The HRTR, initiated by the international human rights organization Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, has been supported by government officials, religious leaders, community groups, non-governmental organizations, human rights organizations, as well as individuals from all walks of life.
The year-long campaign began Aug. 9, 2007, with a torch-lighting ceremony in Athens, Greece, and has been making stops in cities across Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, South America, and Africa. The goal of HRTR is to let the international community know its message: "The Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot coexist in China."
Since China was selected as an Olympic site, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders have reported a marked increase in human rights atrocities and violence used by the regime to suppress those it considers enemies.
New England HRTR coordinator Mary Byrom says: "It's no accident that the Olympic committee chose Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. It's China's moment in the spotlight. With all of China's unregulated growth, environmental damage, abuses to farmers, ethnic minorities, AIDS patients, slave labor, and cultural and religious genocide, I would not be surprised if we found ourselves on the date of the Olympics watching the beginning of a 'perfect storm.'"
HRTR events are scheduled in five of the New England states.
Earlier this month, the Maine State Legislature passed H.P. 1592, a joint resolution that expresses support for the HRTR and declares April 2008 as Human Rights Torch Relay Month in Maine. Maine is the first New England state to issue such legislation.
"When I started working on the HRTR, I knew a local legislator, Rick Burns, who had concerns about trade with China and the negative impact on the average American worker," says Maine's HRTR coordinator Marcus Gale.
"He immediately welcomed my proposal to sponsor a resolution in the Maine Legislature supporting the HRTR. We received widespread support in the state Capitol and the resolution was approved quickly. The people of Maine have a strong humanitarian streak and we are receiving enthusiastic participation from diverse community groups."
The HRTR events in Maine will take place in Portland on April 19. The HRTR will also visit Providence, R.I., on April 5; Portsmouth, N.H., on April 12; and New Haven, Conn., on April 26. The full text of the Maine resolution and details about upcoming events can be found at the HRTR New England Web site. Visit the global Human Rights Torch Relay Web site for more information.
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