Reflections on Tibet Lobby Day 2012/ENG

2012. március 23./ICT/TibetPress

Wow! I am still catching my breath from Tibet Lobby Day. As we reported on Monday (ICT press release) this year’s event was record breaking—we had more participants than ever before, some 140, and we visited more Congressional offices than ever before, upwards of 120!

Among the Members of Congress participants met with were Senators Dianne Feinstein, Al Franken, John Tester, and Representatives Frank Wolf, Yvette Clarke, Brian Bilbray, and Peter Welch (view photos). One group of Tibetan-Americans noticed a familiar face smiling at them while dressed in their chubas, once the unknown smile got on the elevator the group realized it was Senator Marco Rubio who had recently made a floor speech on human rights and Tibet (watch video). The presence of Tibetan-Americans and Tibet supporters on the Hill was hard to miss!

We also had a solid showing from our virtual lobbyists, who came out in force to send more than 8,900 messages to 502 Members of Congress over the two days of our work on the ground.

In its fourth year, there is no question that Tibet is becoming established as a constituent issue. Many of the Members’ offices were visited for the fourth year in a row. One returning Tibetan-American lobbyist from Massachusetts told us that a staffer recognized him on a first name basis, was familiar with the subject matter and was well prepared for the meeting.

Congressional offices told our lobbying groups the importance of their presence as constituents. A staffer from Senator Susan Collins’ office told her meeting that being “here is one of the most important things you can do.”

Even staffers who were relatively new to Capitol Hill were quick to grasp the Tibetan issue and understand the underlying story of an oppressed people being dominated by a large neighbor. Both experienced and new staffers expressed their sympathy, concern and willingness to support the Tibetan people.

Through Tibet Lobby Day, Tibetan-Americans and Tibet supporters will continue to build relationships to help Tibet. The value of such meetings is evident when we hear reports like this one from Nick Gulotta of Students for a Free Tibet, whose last meeting was with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. In their meeting, Rep. Clarke told Nick and his New York group, “We must see freedom in Tibet…As we support freedom across the world, we can’t forget Tibet. Tibet’s time has come.”

Congresswoman Clarke is not alone in her sentiment and as citizens of democracy it is our duty to remind our elected officials that Tibet matters to us all. This year it was clear to me what value there is in speaking truth to power—we just have to get out there and keep saying it!

Thank you to all of this year’s Tibet Lobby Day participants, both those who came to DC and those who participated online. Thanks also to all of the Tibet support groups who made this collaborative effort possible. Special kudos go to Students for a Free Tibet and the International Tibet Network for their work in programmatic planning for Tibet Lobby Day. We hope to see you next year!