Comments on: More Torch Troubles, And Why The Relay Is Fair Game For Protests http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/2008/04/more-torch-troubles/ Protect the human! Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:00:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: rachie http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/2008/04/more-torch-troubles/comment-page-1/#comment-677 rachie Thu, 01 May 2008 17:18:53 +0000 http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/?p=71#comment-677 I am of the opinion that we must engage in peaceful protest throughout the run up to the Olympics; as this will then not allow the issues surrounding the terrible human rights abuses throughout China to be forgotten or indeed hidden underneath the glamorous Olympic processional ceremonies. However I do stress the word peaceful, attacking an innocent participator does nothing for either amnesty's cause, nor does it do anything to help the people who are suffering from the terrible conditions within china. These people are oppressed because the Chinese Government can ensure that they are seen as aggressors; we acknowledge that they are not, but protests such as these will not help convince the Chinese Governments any quicker. I am of the opinion that we must engage in peaceful protest throughout the run up to the Olympics; as this will then not allow the issues surrounding the terrible human rights abuses throughout China to be forgotten or indeed hidden underneath the glamorous Olympic processional ceremonies. However I do stress the word peaceful, attacking an innocent participator does nothing for either amnesty’s cause, nor does it do anything to help the people who are suffering from the terrible conditions within china. These people are oppressed because the Chinese Government can ensure that they are seen as aggressors; we acknowledge that they are not, but protests such as these will not help convince the Chinese Governments any quicker.

]]> By: robert http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/2008/04/more-torch-troubles/comment-page-1/#comment-507 robert Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:36:45 +0000 http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/?p=71#comment-507 Mitch, thanks for the reply. I'm happy to agree to disagree about whether the relay is a valid stage for protest. For some it is a ceremony that leads up to the Olympics and it should stay apolitical; and for some others it is an event at which they can make a point, and (as Emma says) in their eyes the torch bearer is validating what China does. Like I say, this is debatable either way, and I'm happy that we can all discuss it with open minds :) Robert Mitch, thanks for the reply.

I’m happy to agree to disagree about whether the relay is a valid stage for protest. For some it is a ceremony that leads up to the Olympics and it should stay apolitical; and for some others it is an event at which they can make a point, and (as Emma says) in their eyes the torch bearer is validating what China does.

Like I say, this is debatable either way, and I’m happy that we can all discuss it with open minds :)

Robert

]]> By: Emma http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/2008/04/more-torch-troubles/comment-page-1/#comment-503 Emma Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:35:41 +0000 http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/?p=71#comment-503 It's true that the person themselves doesn't necessarily support what happens in Tibet, but I think that either by their participation or their ignorance they are, in a small way, validating it. No, they shouldn't be attacked for it. But the torch (and the person carrying it) is a very important symbol of the Olympic games and everything they stand for, and I can understand why it would be a focus for protest. It’s true that the person themselves doesn’t necessarily support what happens in Tibet, but I think that either by their participation or their ignorance they are, in a small way, validating it.

No, they shouldn’t be attacked for it. But the torch (and the person carrying it) is a very important symbol of the Olympic games and everything they stand for, and I can understand why it would be a focus for protest.

]]> By: Mitch Smilie http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/2008/04/more-torch-troubles/comment-page-1/#comment-502 Mitch Smilie Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:13:01 +0000 http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/blog/?p=71#comment-502 Nearsighted Man here. It does offer some insight. Thank you. I'm not putting down the Tibetan cause, don't get me wrong. I'm just not sure the Olympics is the correct stage for this protest. Harrassing the torch bearer is ridiculous in my opinion, it's part of the event. I don't think the man or woman carrying the torch approves of the actions of the Chinese government in Tibet. If people want to boycott the games, have at it but I don't think the athletes taking part in something they've trained their whole lives for should be attacked for their participation. Thank you for your response. I will do my part to look further into this issue. Take care. Nearsighted Man here. It does offer some insight. Thank you. I’m not putting down the Tibetan cause, don’t get me wrong. I’m just not sure the Olympics is the correct stage for this protest. Harrassing the torch bearer is ridiculous in my opinion, it’s part of the event. I don’t think the man or woman carrying the torch approves of the actions of the Chinese government in Tibet. If people want to boycott the games, have at it but I don’t think the athletes taking part in something they’ve trained their whole lives for should be attacked for their participation.
Thank you for your response. I will do my part to look further into this issue.

Take care.

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