Tibetan human rights protestors march on Statehouse

(Host) China's crackdown in Tibet reverberated in Montpelier on Monday as protesters marched on the Statehouse after a three-day walk from Burlington.

The protesters criticized China's human rights record. And they called on the U.S. to boycott the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Congressman Peter Welch says the Bush administration should stay away from the opening ceremonies.

VPR's John Dillon reports:

(Protest chants. ``We want free Tibet! We want free Tibet! China lie, people die! China lie, people die!''

(Dillon) The gray granite steps at the Statehouse have carried many protesters to the seat of power in Montpelier. But the crowd that marched on Monday was more colorful than most. Bright Tibetan flags snapped in the breeze. And along with the shouts of protest, there were chants of prayer.

(Sounds of a Tibetan prayer)

(Dillon) The 40 or so people marched from Burlington, where there's a sizeable Tibetan immigrant community. They criticized China for its crackdown on Tibetan protesters.

(Chophel) "We want to let people, Americans and, of course, people of Vermont know how is the situation inside Tibet.''

(Dillon) Sonam Chophel is a former deputy secretary of the Tibetan government and a former president of the Tibetan Association of Vermont. He said the Chinese government has suppressed human rights, and sealed off the country from the watchful eyes and ears of the international media.

(Chophel) "There is a critical situation in Tibet, the entire Tibet. Nunneries and monasteries are totally sealed. There is no access of light, water, and food. And there is starvation inside because of the recent peaceful demonstrations inside Tibet. And there is no media coverage. We want the United Nations should send a fact-finding delegation inside Tibet.''

(Dillon) The Vermont Legislature this week may consider a resolution condemning China's human rights record in Tibet. Meanwhile, the pressure is growing on President Bush to stay away from the opening ceremonies for this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Congressman Peter Welch has sponsored legislation that halts the government from paying for any U-S official to attend the opening ceremonies.

(Welch) "There's a lot of suffering there, and it's hard to know what you can do from a distance. But I believe that's an appropriate step for us to take. And I certainly encourage the president not to attend the opening ceremonies.''

(Dillon) Welch said he did not support a total boycott of the Olympics.

He said the announcement by some European leaders that they will stay away from the opening ceremonies has already gotten China's attention.

For VPR News, I'm John Dillon in Montpelier.