"Fight the Power", "Free Tibet", "Stop the Violence", "Kill No More." Those are just some of the cries being heard from the lips of millions of protestors. After years of getting away with acts of brutality, demonstrators are shedding light on many secrets China has been hiding.
Due to the numerous human rights violations that China has been accused of, including its control over Tibet, the Olympic Torch has had a very hostile journey.
Staying true to the Olympic tradition, China has created a 21-nation relay that will deliver the torch to the host city of Beijing. What's ironic is that a country accused of so many atrocities, has the audacity to name its relay "Journey of Harmony."
Harmony? How can China be promoting harmony when it is allowing Sudan to collapse on itself? It refuses to stop millions of people from getting hacked, raped or mutilated, in the name of so-called progress.
Tibetans can hardly remember the last time they saw harmony, especially since half their population is staying in India and their leader is hiding there as a refugee. China is a super power with no resources, so the control of Tibet, a resource-rich country, makes logical sense.
It's obvious that the people of the world are tired of sitting around and letting China get away with these brutalities. Protestors are using the Olympic torch as their platform to raise dissent.
The relay of the Olympic torch has seen many hostilities. In cities such as London, the torch was forced to be taken by bus instead of by runners, due to the constant demonstrations taking place.
The torch even went out due to interference by protesters during its brief stay in France. In San Francisco, guards were constantly surrounding the runners and the fire had to be re-lit often.
The New York Times reported that some protesters had climbed the Golden Gate Bridge and put up two signs reading, "One World, One dream" and "Free Tibet 08."
Protestors are using the Olympics to remind the world not to reward China for its economy but punish it for its brutality.
China should no longer be allowed to shy away from its conscience and silence the deafening cries for freedom and justice. This is not the "Journey of Harmony" for the torch, but a "Discovery of Hope" for the oppressed. Too long has China been allowed to send many into the darkness of oppression.
With the help of these protests, perhaps these people will be able to come into the light of hope. t&c;
FAHMIYA ISMAIL IS A SOPHOMORE INT'L. BUSINESS AND INT'L. STUDIES MAJOR AND STAFF WRITER FOR THE t&c.;
