By Sue Doyle, Staff Writer
LA Daily News, 04/06/2008
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_8834031
SANTA MONICA - Making its way around the world to stop human rights violations by the Chinese government, a torch relay passed through Los Angeles on Sunday along with cries to boycott the 2008 Olympics.
Charging China's government with religious oppression, atrocious living conditions and human organ harvesting practices, local politicians and others at the Human Rights Torch Relay called on President Bush and other world leaders to shun the entire Olympics this summer.
"This is the time for the world to speak up against human rights violations in China," said Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, who sent a letter to Bush urging him not to attend the games. "Let's keep the spotlight on Beijing right now as it leads to the Olympic Games."
Waters' pleas were shared by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, who also took the stage next to the Santa Monica Pier at Colorado and Ocean avenues before about 500 supporters of the cause.
"America should stand for the principles that America stands for," Rohrabacher said. "America is about liberty and justice for all."
Having already traveled through Europe, South America, the Middle East and parts of Asia, the relay's arrival in Los Angeles kicked off the international campaign's journey along the West Coast.
Launched Aug. 9, it was initiated by 350 members of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, a meditation practice that China considers a threat.
Last month, a public celebration led by monks in Tibet commemorating the 1959 Tibetan uprising turned deadly, with China cracking down on the demonstration. The Chinese government said 22 people died, while Tibetan officials put the toll at 140.
Since then, there have been ongoing protests in Tibet, which has been under Chinese rule for 57 years.
And as the Olympic torch passed through London on Sunday, 37 anti-China protesters were arrested. Demonstrators tried to blow out the torch and block its path.
The flame's 85,000-mile journey from Greece to Beijing has become a stage for activists decrying China's recent crackdown on Tibetans and support for Sudan despite civilian deaths in Darfur.
"Crimes against humanity are crimes against everybody," said David Matas, a human rights lawyer and co-author of a report about alleged organ harvesting on Chinese prisoners. "They are crimes against you and me as well as those in China."
Before the oceanside demonstration, about 50 local supporters of the international campaign marched through Third Street Promenade beating drums as they followed the torch, wearing T-shirts that read, "Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot coexist in China."
Many at the popular shopping center looked up briefly at the demonstration from their chilled coffee drinks and slices of pizza before continuing on with their afternoon.
But Daniel Dhang, 60, a former resident of China, stood up from a park bench with tears brimming and cheered for the group passing by with Tibetan flags.
"We believe the Dalai (Lama)," he said of Tibet's spiritual leader. "We don't believe Beijing's government."