As China kicked off the 2008 Beijing Olympics yesterday,
Tibetans and supporters in every part of the world staged hunger
strikes, protest marches, solidarity vigils, and other direct
actions to highlight China's oppression in Tibet.

Just hours ago, five Tibet supporters held a dramatic protest in
Tiananmen Square, calling for an end to the Chinese government's
occupation of Tibet. Four of the activists, lying down and
draped in Tibetan national flags, staged a mock die-in with the
famous portrait of Chairman Mao in the background. A fifth
activist spoke about their reason for protesting there today.
They were detained by security ten minutes after the protest
began.

And at just past 7pm, approximately one hour before the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, three SFT activists staged a courageous protest near the Olympic stadium in Beijing. At the last major intersection on Beichen Road leading to the Olympic Park, the three men unfurled Tibetan national flags while wearing shirts reading "Team Tibet 08." They were tackled by Chinese security forces within seconds and forcibly detained; their whereabouts are currently unknown. please visit SFT's olympic campaign website www.freetibet2008.org for more news.