Joint Rally by the Tibetan, Taiwanese, and human rights communities

Rally at Lafayette Park

On Thursday, April 8th 1999, back-to-back rallies were held at Lafayette Park, in front of the White House. The Tibetan community and Amnesty International led off at 10:00 am with speeches, cheers, and prayers.

At around 11:30 the crowd wound its way to Pennsylvania Avenue, just in front of the White House, and cheered: "China out of Tibet", "Human Rights in China", and "Taiwan Independence."

This was followed by a Taiwanese-led rally with speakers from the Taiwanese-American Community, but also guest-speakers from the Tibetans, East Turkestan and Mongolia.

The rally was kicked off by Nora Tsay, secretary-general of the Taiwanese Association of America, and attended by some 500 Taiwanese- Americans from as far away as Kansas, Florida, Boston, New York, and New Jersey.

An important statement titled "Let Taiwan be Taiwan" was read by FAPA president Wen-yen Chen on behalf of the Coalition for Taiwan Sovereignty.

The president of the Formosan Association for Human Rights, David Hung, read a proclamation, titled "Human Rights for All" from FAHR.

Some images from the rally:

Freedom for Tibet

Amnesty International: "working for Human Rights"

Nora Tsay: "Recognize Taiwan independence"

Stop Chinese aggression

Stop isolating Taiwan

Rally at the Chinese Embassy

At around 1:30 pm, the Taiwanese-American group moved up to the Chinese Embassy at Connecticut Ave, where they continued until around 4:00 pm with speeches and cheers, such as "China, Hands off Taiwan", "Recognize Taiwan", and "Stop Chinese Missiles."

Some images:

Taiwan is NOT part of China

China, hands off Taiwan

One Taiwan, One China

All the way from Connecticut

Vigil at the Chinese Embassy

The day was completed with a vigil at the Chinese Embassy by the Tibetan Community, while a reception was being held for Premier Zhu.