Israeli lights up world for Tibet
David Califa enlists support of 100 million people, including Dalai Lama, for Candle for Tibet campaign; supporters to light one candle in honor of freedom for Tibetan people on eve of Beijing Olympics
On August 7, 2008, otherwise known as the eve of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, supporters of freedom for Tibet are planning to light the world on fire – literally. Perhaps just as amazingly, the idea for this special protest has come from Israel.
"The light protest invites people to perform a simple task on a certain moment for a specific cause," Califa explained. "It's a global tool for the unification of millions of people worldwide; and it increases the power each of us has for the expression of our own stance.
"A light protest will always stand for a higher cause such as human rights, freedom, thought or faith and will be pro-bono, and non-violent."
Califa invited everyone to join him in lighting a candle and placing it on a windowsill, tabletop, or anywhere else in the home. The protest itself will be broadcast internationally during the games' opening ceremony, and in Israel a light show will be held on Dizengoff Square at 8 pm on August 7.
On the day after the ceremony, Candle for Tibet plans to launch a letter to world leaders in which it will number the amount of people who demonstrated in honor of freedom for Tibet. "We will also send letters to the Chinese government and the UN chief about the level of global participation," Kalifa said. "We're not against the Olympics; we're just working towards freedom, period."
Sad Smoky Mountains simulation (Photo: Alberto Peruffo)
Califa has managed to gain support from an Italian alpine group called 'Sad Smoky Mountains', which plans to send hundreds of mountain climbers to scale skyscrapers in New York, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, and other cities in order to light candles and sparklers at the top. The group also plans to light flares at the peaks of mountains in three different continents once the games begin in Beijing.
Support from Dalai Lama
Perhaps the most important supporter of the protest is the Dalai Lama, who has recently officially recognized the campaign."We hope your Candle for Tibet campaign will inspire the Chinese authorities to appreciate the value of freedom of all mankind and the importance of the Tibetan Buddhist culture that is benefiting millions of people and has the potential to serve humanity as a whole, including the Chinese people," said Tsering Tashi, who represents the Dalai Lama.
"Like you, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile is not against the coming Olympics to be held in Beijing," added Tsering Tashi. "We are also not against the Chinese people, who also do not enjoy genuine human rights and freedom that the people in the free world take for granted."
"We are happy and proud to receive the blessing of the Dalai Lama," Califa concluded. "It empowers the action and non-violent protest on which the campaign is based."
He encouraged people worldwide to keep the headlights of their vehicles on during August 8, as a demonstration for global peace and freedom.
