Marching past Los Angeles landmark La Fonda.  Lisa and I had gone to La Fonda during its closing previously, experiencing amazing mariachi music.  They've since opened again.

I have mixed feelings for these protests.  The reason that we join together fills me with sadness.  But I enjoy the camaraderie.  Someday I hope that we can join together to celebrate positive occurrences inside Tibet.  Hopefully someday The Tibet Connection can make a radio show about how Tibetan and Chinese people are getting along.

Tibet

One People

One Nation

50 Years of Resistance:  1959-2009

We arrived at the Chinese Consulate, with my new friend smiling and flashing a peace sign. I did mention he was friendly.

Lisa and I noted that the FREE TIBET spray paint in the middle of the street in front of the Consulate was painted over. 

Marching in front of the door to the Chinese Consulate as security and the Los Angeles Police Department looked on.

Moments later, security and police would do much more than just look on.

James Otis decided that this was the time to be arrested again. 

He ran across the street ad climbed over the white wrought-iron fence of the Chinese Consulate.  Security, the police, and reporters ran towards him as he shouted slogans and waved a Tibetan flag. 

He then banged and pulled on the door as the police yelled at him to stop.

The police told him to step away and get back on the other side of the fence.  "You don't have to be arrested!!" shouted one exasperated officer, "you don't have to do this!"

Otis explained that he wanted to be arrested.

"If that's what you want," said another policeman, shrugging his shoulders.

Otis then decided to sit on the ground.

"You're arrested now. You got what you wanted.  Can you stand up and go to the squad car peacefully?"

But Otis wanted to be carried to the car.  "Do you have any strong officers?" Otis asked.

~~

You can see a close-up of this photo if you hold your mouse over the photo.

I talked to some of the officers.  Most of them already understood that Otis had done this for publicity already.  "He'll get taken downtown.  He'll be charged for trespassing and a court date will be set.  He'll be released on bail.  It'll be up to the judge, but he'll most likely get fined."  Otis had, in fact, already arranged for his brother to pick him up at the station downtown.

Some Tibetans were concerned, but I told them the above and said that he was simply charged for trespassing and be fined.  They were visibly relieved.

~~

This is Tseten, whom I've also known for over 15 years.  She is the spokesperson for Los Angeles Friends of Tibet.

After marching in front of the Consulate and watching Otis get taken away by the police, we walked back to the other side of the street. 

The monks sat, shouting for peace-loving people and nations to save Tibet from destruction at the hands of the Chinese government.

I missed seeing Geshe-la here.  He had joined us last March 10, for the 49th Anniversary, but had recently passed away.

A chanting monk.

Sherap passed out cheeseburgers, drinks, Tibetan cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and more to the hot, tired marchers.  He then explained to everyone that Otis was okay and would be charged with trespassing and fined.  The Statue of Liberty lady had wanted to take up a collection for Otis' bail and stand together in solidarity, but Sherap explained that Otis had already taken care of everything and had arranged for his brother to pick him up.

I talked to another friend, Nawang, asking him about his family in Lhasa.  He said that they were fine, but that his cousin was in prison and that he was concerned about her.

We said our goodbyes and drove home.