Politics & Government

Presidents of Tibetan Organizations Respond to Mayor Cassidy's Suspension of Raising the Chinese Flag

The Tibetan Association of Northern California, San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Students for a Free Tibet, Bay Area Friends of Tibet and Tibetan National Congress created a petition to suspend the raising of the Chinese flag in front of San Leandro City Hall on Oct. 1.

The mayor listened to the public's request — the petition, emails, letters and phone calls — and suspended the implementation of the vote until the City Council meets again on Monday, Oct. 7.

Read: Mayor Cassidy Suspends Raising the Flag of the People's Republic of China at San Leandro City Hall

The president of the Tibetan National Congress and the president of the Tibetan Association of Northern California spoke out about Mayor Cassidy suspending raising China's flag.

“Flying the red flag over the beautiful city of San Leandro suggests support and tolerance for forces which oppress others and deny them the basic liberties that we take hold dear in America. Raising the Chinese flag indicates that despite China, or any other actors’, discreet actions which violate the very principles this nation was built upon, they and their oppressive propaganda are nonetheless welcome here. Raising the red flag does injustice to all that stands for liberty, justice and freedom," said Tashi Kunjo, president of the Tibetan Association of Northern California.

“We are extremely gratified that Mayor Cassidy stood firmly behind his constituents and his principles and moved ahead to suspend the vote. He is a strong and decent human being who firmly believes in democracy and voices of the people. He send a strong message that despite China, or any other actors’, discreet actions which violate the very principles this nation was built upon, they and their oppressive propaganda are not welcome here. I thank the Mayor, Council members Michael J Gregory and Pauline Russo Cutter for their stance and hope others around the nation will follow their lead," said Jigme Ugen, president of Tibetan National Congress.



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