Tibetan community on a hunger strike.
From left: Wangchur Tsering Chuteng, Pema Tsomo and about 30 other members of the Tibetan community in Toronto are on a hunger strike outside of the Chinese Consulate on St. George Street. The strike is in response to reports of an armed military attack on Kirti Monastery. The hunger strike here began on April 19.
Staff photo/ERIN HATFIELD
When asked what motivated 80-year-old Pema Tsomo to embark on a hunger strike, tears overcame the Tibetan woman.
There are 30 members of the Toronto Tibetan community participating in the hunger strike. It's a relay strike, meaning participants trade off from day to day. They don't drink or eat anything between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Tsomo has been on a hunger strike since it began on April 19 and said she will continue with it to the end.
"She has seen it all. Her country is under so much suffering and this keeps her motivated," an interpreter translates what Tsomo said through her tears. "The suffering that Tibetan people are going through, it is her own suffering."
Tsomo came to Toronto from Tibet when she was 29 years old. Back in her native Tibet the Tibetan people are said to have suffered the loss of freedoms and human rights for decades under communist China.
Perched on the sidewalk of St. George Street, a few metres south of the Chinese Consulate, the group of protesters quietly pray and chant mantras. The hunger strike is a form of non-violent protest to express their anguish and sadness over events unfolding inside Tibet, Tsering said.
In response to reports of an armed military attack on Kirti Monastery in Tibet the Toronto Chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress started an indefinite rally hunger strike.
"Our main issue is the armed military forces should be removed from the monastery," said Kunga Tsering. "And the over 400 monks who have been arrested recently should be released immediately."
At Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, there are three members of the Central Executive Committee of the Tibetan Youth Congress who began fasting on April 25, here in Toronto. As a sign of solidarity the fasting will continue until the three members in New Delhi die or their demands are met.
Palden Gompo is also fasting and said the cause gives him strength.
"I don't feel tired. In fact, I feel much energy because I am doing this for my cause," Gompo said. "I don't feel weak. In fact, I feel the strength."
Gompo said if the situation demanded, he would be prepared to go on an indefinite hunger strike.
"Whether old man, woman or young, we are all together to strike in a peaceful manner," Gompo said. "What the Chinese are doing inside Tibet, as compared to that, what we are going to do is nothing."