Global Human Rights Torch Relay, San Diego May 3, 2008

Global Human Rights Torch Relay, San Diego

"The Olympics and Crimes Against Humanity Cannot Coexist in China"

Peaceful rally, speakers, music, petitions, displays and a torch walk

FREE public event

Sat. May 3, 12-4 pm
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Balboa Park

www.HumanRightsTorch.org or www.HumanRightsTorchUSA.org
for more information: gisela3@cox.net

The Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) is a yearlong international campaign that calls for an end of human rights violations by the Chinese communist regime and the release of all prisoners of conscience before the Olympics. During the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the HRTR torch will host events in 37 countries on 5 continents with ceremonies and peaceful rallies, to deliver the message:
The Olympics and Crimes against Humanity Cannot Coexist in China.

In 2001, China was granted the right to host the Olympic Games after it pledged to adhere to the Olympic Charter and improve its human rights record. However, as the Olympic Games approach, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is escalating the suppression of the Chinese people in the name of protecting the Olympic Games. Falun Gong practitioners and 42 other “unwanted” groups of people are excluded from participating or attending the Olympic Games – a clear violation of the Olympic Charter. According to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, US Congress Human Rights Report, media and other sources, the CCP has increased its human rights abuses considerably against Falun Gong practitioners, “house church” Christians, the Uighur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, democracy dissidents, human rights advocates and lawyers, and outspoken journalists, with rampant oppression, mass detention and arrest, religious persecution and illicit organ harvesting.

It is also well known that outside China, the CCP is supporting and participating directly and indirectly in human rights abuses in Darfur, Burma, Zambia, Tanzania, Thailand, and North Korea. In light of this, the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) initiated the Human Rights Torch Relay. The HRTR torch lit its flame in Athens, Greece on August 9, 2007. Since then, it has held events in more than 30 countries in Europe, Oceania, Africa and part of Asia. The HRTR torch is scheduled to visit the US at the end of March, beginning in Boston, with events in more than 50 cities.

Since its kickoff on August 9 of last year in Athens, Greece, the HRTR has been supported by many concerned individuals, including Olympic medalists, government officials, civic and professional groups, church leaders, celebrities, as well as nonprofit organizations that are committed to universal human rights. We believe that these events are a unique opportunity to influence the Chinese communist regime to stop the persecution of its own people and support of other totalitarian regimes in violating human rights.

For more information on Human Rights Torch Relay, please visit:
US web site:
www.HumanRightsTorchUSA.org
Global web site:
www.HumanRightsTorch.org

Official Website: http://www.HumanRightsTorch.org