The beginning of the march from the Staples Center to the Chinese Consulate in L.A.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012. Tibetan Uprising Day, observed on March 10, commemorates the 1959 Tibetan uprising against the presence of the People's Republic of China in Tibet. The failure of the armed rebellion ultimately resulted in a violent crackdown on Tibetan independence movements, and the flight of the Dalai Lama into exile.

I was here as a member of three groups: Tibet Connection (I edit the English radio show about Tibetan culture, news, and events), Los Angeles Friends of Tibet, and the L.A. Street Photography Meetup group (I invited members of this group to show up!).

All photos taken by Ken Lee Photography (www.kenleephotography.com).

~~~

Self-immolations

In the past year, about 25 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze to protest the lack of freedom and human rights that exists in their country at the hands of the Chinese. China invaded Tibet in the 1950s and has brutally repressed the Himalayan country. The military occupation and brutality was cranked up in light of the 2008 Beijing protests and has not abated. No outside press has been allowed inside Tibet since then.

During our march, many of us held signs asking, "Why are Tibetans setting themselves on Fire? www.savetibet.com". The self-immolations were on everyone's mind. During the candlelight vigil, Tibetan children read the names of those who had set fire to themselves in the name of freedom. The people ranged from nuns and monks to laypeople of all walks of life, and was an emotionally moving vigil.

An interested passerby during the march from the Staples Center to the Chinese Consulate in L.A. to promote human rights in occupied Tibet.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

~~~~~

Self-immolations

In the past year, about 25 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze to protest the lack of freedom and human rights that exists in their country at the hands of the Chinese. China invaded Tibet in the 1950s and has brutally repressed the Himalayan country. The military occupation and brutality was cranked up in light of the 2008 Beijing protests and has not abated. No outside press has been allowed inside Tibet since then.

During our march, many of us held signs asking, "Why are Tibetans setting themselves on Fire? www.savetibet.com". The self-immolations were on everyone's mind. During the candlelight vigil, Tibetan children read the names of those who had set fire to themselves in the name of freedom. The people ranged from nuns and monks to laypeople of all walks of life, and was an emotionally moving vigil.

Tibetan woman during candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

Tibetan nun getting ready for the candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, praying for freedom and peace in Tibet.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

I was here as a member of three groups: Tibet Connection (I edit the English radio show about Tibetan culture, news, and events), Los Angeles Friends of Tibet, and the L.A. Street Photography Meetup group (I invited members of this group to show up!).

Tibetan monk preparing for the candlelight vigil to honor Tibetans who have self-immolated in protest of the harsh Chinese occupation and killing of Tibetan civilians of Tibet.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

Candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

Tibetan woman during candlelight vigil.

~~~

Self-immolations

In the past year, about 25 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze to protest the lack of freedom and human rights that exists in their country at the hands of the Chinese. China invaded Tibet in the 1950s and has brutally repressed the Himalayan country. The military occupation and brutality was cranked up in light of the 2008 Beijing protests and has not abated. No outside press has been allowed inside Tibet since then.

During our march, many of us held signs asking, "Why are Tibetans setting themselves on Fire? www.savetibet.com". The self-immolations were on everyone's mind. During the candlelight vigil, Tibetan children read the names of those who had set fire to themselves in the name of freedom. The people ranged from nuns and monks to laypeople of all walks of life, and was an emotionally moving vigil.

The beginning of the march from the Staples Center to the Chinese Consulate in L.A. to promote human rights in occupied Tibet.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

The beginning of the march from the Staples Center to the Chinese Consulate in L.A. to promote human rights in occupied Tibet.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

The march from the Staples Center to the Chinese Consulate in L.A. to promote human rights in occupied Tibet.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

~~~~

Self-immolations

In the past year, about 25 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze to protest the lack of freedom and human rights that exists in their country at the hands of the Chinese. China invaded Tibet in the 1950s and has brutally repressed the Himalayan country. The military occupation and brutality was cranked up in light of the 2008 Beijing protests and has not abated. No outside press has been allowed inside Tibet since then.

During our march, many of us held signs asking, "Why are Tibetans setting themselves on Fire? www.savetibet.com". The self-immolations were on everyone's mind. During the candlelight vigil, Tibetan children read the names of those who had set fire to themselves in the name of freedom. The people ranged from nuns and monks to laypeople of all walks of life, and was an emotionally moving vigil.

This speaks to me of the diversity of Los Angeles.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

Also all about the ethnic diversity in this photo that screams "Los Angeles", with its ubiquitous 99 Cent Store in the background as we march along Wilshire Blvd. to the Chinese Consulate. I think it would be quite strange to live in a place that didn't have this diversity after living here for so long. It would just seem sort of boring.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

Passing Macarthur Park during the march from the Staples Center to the Chinese Consulate in L.A. to promote human rights in occupied Tibet.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

A support of human rights in Tibet shouts his approval at our march from his balcony, Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

Tibetans march for human rights, peace, and a stop to the atrocities in their country, directly in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

The Tibetan Uprising Day also brought out Tibetan supporters - and old friends - from as far as Dharamsala, India, as Ronnie Novick meets old friends.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

Currently, no outside media has been allowed in Tibet for several years while atrocities continue.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

The march from the Staples Center to the Chinese Consulate in L.A. to promote human rights in occupied Tibet.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

A Tibetan monk during the candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate in L.A. at night.

Tibetan Uprising Day March in Los Angeles, CA, 10 March 2012.

~~~~

Self-immolations

In the past year, about 25 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze to protest the lack of freedom and human rights that exists in their country at the hands of the Chinese. China invaded Tibet in the 1950s and has brutally repressed the Himalayan country. The military occupation and brutality was cranked up in light of the 2008 Beijing protests and has not abated. No outside press has been allowed inside Tibet since then.

During our march, many of us held signs asking, "Why are Tibetans setting themselves on Fire? www.savetibet.com". The self-immolations were on everyone's mind. During the candlelight vigil, Tibetan children read the names of those who had set fire to themselves in the name of freedom. The people ranged from nuns and monks to laypeople of all walks of life, and was an emotionally moving vigil.