Since 1996, the Tibet Initiative has been calling on cities, municipalities and districts to hoist the Tibetan flag at their town halls on 10 March - the anniversary of the Tibetan uprising in 1959. The municipality of Rüdersdorf near Berlin is joining the campaign for the first time this year and will be hoisting the Tibetan flag at its town hall on 10 March. A total of 450 town halls are taking part in the campaign this year.
Background:
On 10 March, people all over the world remember the Tibetan uprising of 1959, which was bloodily suppressed by the Chinese army. Out of concern for the Dalai Lama, around 30,000 Tibetans spontaneously gathered in front of his summer residence outside Lhasa on 10 March 1959. They wanted to prevent the Dalai Lama from accepting an invitation to a theatre performance in the Chinese military camp because they feared for his safety. By surrounding the Norbulinka Palace, the people forced him to cancel the invitation.
They had come from all regions of Tibet to express their frustration at the ten-year occupation of their country. Some demanded the withdrawal of Chinese troops. On 12 March, 5,000 Tibetan women marched through Lhasa demanding immediate independence for Tibet. Even after the Dalai Lama asked people to call off the protests because he feared for their safety, the non-violent demonstrations continued.
The situation in front of the Norbulinka became increasingly tense, Chinese troops surrounded the summer residence and aimed guns and cannons at the people. On 17 March, the Chinese army fired two shells at the summer residence. Nevertheless, the crowds remained gathered in front of the palace like a protective shield. That same night, the Dalai Lama fled into exile in India disguised as a soldier. On 21 March, the Chinese army began firing indiscriminately into the crowds and bombed the Summer Palace, where they still suspected the Dalai Lama to be. Thousands of people died in this massacre and the majority of the survivors were arrested. Between March 1959 and September 1960, the Chinese military killed more than 80,000 Tibetans and at least 25,000 disappeared behind bars.
To this day, 10 March is a day of remembrance and action on which Tibetans and supporters around the world draw attention to the oppression that still prevails. Demonstrations, rallies, vigils and actions such as "Fly the flag for Tibet" take place every year.
In Tibet, too, this day still provokes non-violent protests. In 1989 and 2008, major uprisings were violently suppressed by the Chinese authorities on 10 March. Every year in March, the Chinese dictatorship imposes an entry ban on tourists and journalists and increases its military presence in Tibet. (Source: https://www.tibet-initiative.de/kampagnen/flagge-zeigen-fuer-tibet/)