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There are many effective ways for people all over the world to support Tibet and the Tibetan people's struggle for independence. Listed below are a few ideas of how you can make a difference, with a chapter, on your own, or with a few friends. They represent a broad range of strategies and efforts for people who care about Tibet and want to do something practical to help.
1) Tell Your Political Representatives What You Think
Contact your Members of Congress or Member of Parliament. Ask them to pressure the Chinese government to leave Tibet and to free Tibetan political prisoners (see Urgent Action and Campaigns for information on political prisoners). Letters count! We can make Tibet a priority for governments worldwide by showing them that it is a priority for their constituents.
In the United States:
If you don't know your member of Congress, call 202-224-3121 to find out who it is.
Additionally, consider sending your opinions to the following:
Secretary of State Colin Powell
US Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
secretary@state.gov
2) Sign up for SFT’s Email Action List
Receive easy-to-do action alerts by email from the SFT office and updates on campaigns and the current situation in Tibet. This is the easiest way to make sure you are speaking up for Tibet whenever it’s needed. Sign up here.
3) Organize or Attend an Event
Find upcoming events in your area in the Calendar section. Many of these events are planned by students, but everyone is invited.
Significant Dates for Action
· December 10 - International Human Rights Day
· Late February or Early March - Losar (Tibetan New Year)
· March 10 - Anniversary of the 1959 Uprising
· April 4 - A Day Without Violence (anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination)
· April 22 - Earth Day
· April 25 – Panchen Lama's Birthday
· June 4 – Tiananmen Square Massacre
· July 6 - Dalai Lama's Birthday
4) Show a video or slide show
See Resources for a list of videos. Many of them will be available from your local movie store or library. Reserve a space on campus, get time donated at a local theater, or just invite some friends to your home. Introduce the film and say a few words about what people can do to help Tibet. Have an action table or several people with clipboards to get people to write letters, sign petitions, and receive printed information.
5) Table with information
Set up a table in a high traffic area, such as a student union, cafeteria, or street fair. Have a visually inviting display, including a Tibetan flag, prayer flags, SFT posters, map of Tibet, and everything else you can get. Play a recording of Tibetan folk music or monks chanting to attract attention. Provide concise, easy-to-read information, like photocopied fact sheets and SFT brochures (you can download some of these materials in the Resources section; for others please contact SFT). Ask passersby to sign a petition or write a letter. Be friendly and make eye-contact. Don't wait for people to come to you; call them over. Have a sign-up sheet with space for names and email addresses for people who want to receive more information on how they can help. Make sure you are comfortable answering questions about Tibet and be familiar with the material you are distributing. You don’t need to know the answers to everything, but know where to direct people when you can’t answer a question (for example, the SFT website, the Tibet Information Network website, etc). Be prepared to speak to people who will disagree with your point of view on the situation.
6) Invite a guest speaker
Speak to your Sector Contact or the SFT office for suggestions of speakers in your area. Try to find speakers who are well informed, lively, and leave the audience feeling empowered. Organize a series or panel of speakers discussing different themes relevant to Tibet: national independence struggles, human rights violations, environmental destruction, culture, history, religion, medicine, art, travel, etc. If the event is long, make sure it is varied (music, dance, and art are great).
7) Organize outreach to local schools
8) Team up with other Tibet Support Groups and neighboring SFT Chapters
Co-sponsor events and support each other's activities. Show a film or slide show at one of their meetings. Try contacting Asian student groups, women's groups, environmental groups, Amnesty International, and SFT chapters in neighboring areas.
9) Throw a Tibetan party and cultural festival
Include videos, speakers, music, art, information, costumes, food, and dance. Use your imagination!
10) Give as if Lives Depend on it. (They do.)
Donating money to SFT is one of the most important contributions you can make to the Tibetan freedom struggle. Students for a Free Tibet is pressing China for the release of political prisoners, stopping western companies from investing in China's occupation, and building a movement to free Tibet. Every dollar you give strengthens our work, and brings the day when Tibet will be free a little bit closer. Please donate!
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