Thousands rally in Dharamshala against China's ethnic unity law, pay tribute to late activist Lobga Rangzen
Thousands of Tibetans in Dharamshala protested against China's new 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Law,' which they argue aims to erase Tibetan cultural identity. The demonstration also honored activist Lobga Rangzen, whose recent self-immolation has drawn renewed international attention to the region.
Why it matters
The protest highlights ongoing tensions regarding human rights and cultural assimilation in Tibet under Chinese governance.
DHARAMSHALA, July 18: Thousands of Tibetans and supporters dressed in black marched through the streets in the capital of the Tibetan diaspora on Saturday in a coordinated mass protest condemning China’s recently enacted “Ethnic Unity and Progress Law” and paying tribute to the late Tibetan independence activist Lobga Rangzen, whose self-immolation earlier this month has reignited calls for international action on Tibet.
The demonstration, organised jointly by six major Dharamshala-based Tibetan non-governmental organisations, began at the Main Temple before proceeding through McLeod Ganj and culminated at the Kacheri Police Ground, where protesters publicly burned a copy of the Chinese Constitution as a symbolic rejection of Beijing’s regressive policies in Tibet.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in