New York — Students for a Free Tibet presented the 2024 Lhakar Award for Resistance to the peaceful Tibetan protesters of Dege, for their resistance to the Chinese authorities' construction of a mega-dam in their place, the 2024 Lhakar Award for Dedication, awarded to Tibetan activist Thupten Chonyi for his long-standing efforts in support of Tibetan freedom, and the 2024 Lhakar Award to Tsela Zoksang, for her brave activism in support of Tibet, particularly during Chinese President Xi's visit to the United States and France this year.
The Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) organised the Longsho (stand up for freedom and independence) Night on August 24 2024 in New York to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Founded in 1994 by Tibetan independence activists, supporters and students in New York to raise awareness of human rights issues in Tibet, it works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. Over the past 30 years, SFT membership has grown and the SFT now has over 650 chapters in universities, colleges and communities in more than 35 countries and the head office in New York, national office in Canada, UK and India.
Members or staff of the SFT, young Tibetan activists are doing outstanding work for the freedom and human rights of Tibetans inside Tibet and show the world how the Chinese government violates the basic human rights of Tibetans in Tibet by raising issues, protesting and petitioning the government and members of parliament, as well as the international community. The SFT has trained and encouraged young Tibetans who have gone on to become great activists and famous personalities in the Tibetan community.
At the Longsho event, the SFT presented the Lhakar awards to the winners, peaceful Tibetan protesters from Dege and Tibetan activists Thupten Chonyi and Tsela Zoksang. The award for the Dege Tibetans was accepted by Nyima Lhamo, niece of the late Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, while the other two were accepted by themselves during the event.
Chemi Lhamo, the SFT's campaign director, said while presenting the award to the winner, "Congratulations to the winner of the Lhakar Award for Dedication,Thupten Chonyi. He has embodied dedication to the Tibetan Freedom Movement through his many years of organizing and activism. In particular, his yearlong commitment to hold a daily vigil protest outside of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall every weekday from March 10, 2023, until March 10, 2024, has inspired generations of Tibetans to stand up for the cause of Tibetan freedom."
Topjor Tsultrim, Communications Coordinator of SFT said while presenting the award to the winner, "Congratulations to the winner of the 2024 Lhakar Award for Resistance, the Tibetans of Dege. When news broke of the massive protests erupting in Kham Dege earlier in February of this year, the world was stunned by the incredible scenes of resistance sent out by the residents of the Wongpo Tok region of Dege. With the CCP’s suffocating technological blackhole over Tibet, such videos have grown increasing rarer, and the consequences for sharing the truth of what is happening inside Tibet are growing more dangerous.
"Yet the world watched on as the Tibetans of Dege took action to try and save their homeland from the CCP’s colonial Kamtok dam that would displace thousands and flood ancient sacred monasteries. Despite the hundreds of Tibetans arrested and beaten in the aftermath of the protests in Dege, Tibetans and supporters in exile saw that the fighting spirit of the Tibetans inside Tibet remained defiant, proud, and unbroken," he added.
Chime Lhamo said, "The 2024 Lhakar Award winner for Activism in Exile is Tsela Zoksang, Tsela’s daring direct actions over the past year have inspired countless young activists across the world. From stealing headlines from Xi Jinping during the Chinese dictator’s ill-fated visit to San Francisco in 2023 to being photographed taking action against the backdrop of Paris’ iconic Arc de Triomphe during Dictator Xi’s visit to European leaders in France, Tsela has exemplified to the world and the SFT community what people power can look like. Through strategic non-violent direct actions, Tsela has demonstrated to a generation of young activists that young people have the power to shatter narratives and change the track of history."
