On March 30, the global Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) arrived in Boston—the birthplace of the United States' independence movement. More than 1,000 gathered at Boston Common to appeal to the world about the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, Christians, Tibetans and its other human rights violations worldwide. Among hundreds of Tibetans who attended the protest, Gesang, one of the protesters, asked the CCP to not create mutual hatred among the multiple ethnicities.
Gesang, a biological laboratory researcher at Harvard University who speaks fluent Mandarin, stepped out to ask for justice for the Tibetan people. Gesang expressed that there is no freedom in Tibet. Not only have the peaceful protests of monks in Tibet been interfered with, so have the Tibetans' common and spiritual life.
Gesang said, "The Dalai Lama is the political and religious leader for Tibetans, and he has left the concept of independence for a very long time. Therefore, fighting for the independence of Tibet is not possible. We are willing to be a part of China, but China must respect our culture."
Gesang stressed that according to the CCP's propaganda, protesters are just a handful of separatists. In fact, those Tibetans who are left to the mercy of the CCP are indeed a minority. He said, "The CCP takes advantage of this event to create distance between Tibetans and Chinese people, as well as between Tibetan Buddhism and Hui Muslims. I'm very angry about that."
The protesters are against China's one-party dictatorship, not the Chinese people, according to Gesang. Tibetans and Chinese people are all humans, and all want happiness and to pursue a good life in this world.
Geseng expressed that at Harvard University, the working environment between the Chinese and Tibetans is usually very harmonious, and that they consult with and help each other. However, things have changed since the beginning of the Tibetan event.
He encouraged his colleagues to not blindly believe the CCP's propaganda since being outside of China gives them the chance to hear different opinions. However, some people still believe the CCP's propaganda, he said.
Gesang said he was shocked to learn that currently, in Tibet, one even cannot find a job if he or she cannot speak Chinese.
Gesang has many relatives in Tibet. Regarding the consequences of participating in the protest activities, he said, "Let's put aside our own interests. Let's take the whole situation into account."
