Human Rights Torch Relay Kicks Off in Sydney (LINK)
October 29th 2007 09:12
By Glen Mullins
Epoch Times Australia Staff
Oct 28, 2007
SYDNEY—The Human Rights Torch Relay arrived in Sydney on October 27 after successfully completing its two-month European leg.
The welcoming ceremony held at Sydney's Town Hall was met with a large crowd of supporters. The ceremony began with Deputy Mayor of Waverly Dominic Wy Kanak acknowledging the aboriginal owners of the land and speeches followed from Dr Sev Ozdowski Human Rights Commissioner 2000 - 2005 and Greens Senator Kerry Nettle, who are both members of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) in Australia.
"This is a historic occasion," said Dr Ozdowski. "We are creating a new tradition. This is the first time ever – [the running of the human rights torch relay]."
"The human rights torch relay is about people's power, and remember, not that long ago, people's power crumpled the Berlin Wall and brought an end to the Soviet empire, so let us ensure that Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot coexist in China," he said.
Senator Nettle was the first torch bearer in a relay that involved dozens of runners down the main street of Sydney all seeking to highlight human rights abuses occurring in China — the plight of Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetans, Christians, democracy campaigners, outspoken lawyers and reporters in China, as well as the situation in the Sudanese region of Darfur and in Burma.
As the relay reached the historic Rocks district near the Australian icons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, it was Randall Nelson from the Kings Cross Bikers Social and Welfare Club, and Michael Roy from Wednesday Wheelie-Warriors, who added some extra colour to the event by transporting the torch via motorbikes around the popular tourist district.
Speeches and musical acts were held in the afternoon at Circular Quay. Among the speakers was 1964 Olympian swimmer Jan Becker and Pan Qing from the All- China alliance for protecting human rights and opposing violence.
In the crowd was former Wallaby rugby Union player Barry McDonald who was to carry the torch to the Sydney Opera House. In 1969 Mr McDonald toured with the Australian rugby team to South Africa which was then ruled by the racist Apartheid regime.
"I was so shocked by what I saw," he said of the tour to South Africa. "I stood down from selection when they [a racially selected South African side] were coming to Australia in 1970.
I only played a small part – but it as a bit of pressure on the [Apartheid] government – the feeling of isolation that they were becoming international outcasts on the sporting field."
Today Mr McDonald says international pressure on the Chinese regime needs to increase and events like the relay he believes is a good start.
"If nothing happens they are just going to continue with these gross violations of human rights and we have seen it at Tiananmen Square – you know they have shown the whole world what they are prepared to do – and nothings changed since that," he said.
A group photo at the Sydney Opera House during the first day of the Human Rights Torch Relay in Australia. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
"If anything it has gotten worse and its gone underground and they are using the Olympic Games as a means of showing the world how prosperous they are coming and how wonderful the Chinese are becoming under this regime – but y'know there is another side of China that should be shown to the whole world."
Mr McDonald and several other torch relay runners made their way to the Sydney Opera House from where it then traveled via yacht across the Sydney Harbour to the beachside suburb of Manly where more ceremonies and speeches awaited.
Manly Mayor Peter MacDonald told reporters that the Manly community has a good record of speaking out on social justice and human rights and it is a tradition that he said would continue.
"I would like to see lots of councils throughout New South Wales and Australia join us and speak out," he said. "I think this is where the pressure for the organizers of today, that they need to invite other mayors, and I will be happy that they use this example to be repeated together."
Mr MacDonald said he had read the reports on the killing of Falun Gong prisoners of conscience for their bodily organs. "I don't think there is any doubt that there are some terrible things are happening in China, some shocking things," he said.
"I think as individuals we can't do many things, but collectively by joining groups like Amnesty International, by coming to occasions like today held by a local council, who represents 50,000 well off, comfortable Australians, by unanimously saying we need to acknowledge this group and we need to welcome them here and we need to join with them and that we show that we understand the pain and suffering they are going through, that's what we can do," said Mr MacDonald.
The 12-month relay started on August 9 in Athens, Greece and will travel across five continents before arriving in Hong Kong in August 2008. It will leave Australia in mid December and make its way to New Zealand.
(L-R) Aboriginal artist Aedenn Rowan, Senator Kerry Nettle, author Jennifer Zeng and Dean Carey (behind Jennifer), director of the Actors Centre Australia, and young student Morgan Lynch walking with the torch during the first relay leg of the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Darfari refugee Adam Khamis and supporters to end the violence in Darfur and Tibetans walk with the torch during the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Senator Kerry Nettle receives the torch at Town Hall in Sydney during the welcoming ceremony for the Human Rights Torch Relay. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Young Darfur children play around at Circular Quay during the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Former Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin walking through downtown Sydney with the torch. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
1964 Olympic swimmer Jan Becker holds the torch while Randall Nelson drives a motorbike through downtown Sydney during the Human Rights Torch Relay. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
(L-R) Jameila Douglas, Jan Becker, Dr Sev Ozdowski and Ian Cohen in front of the Sydney Opera House. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Viola Chen runs with the torch during the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Epoch Times Australia Staff
Oct 28, 2007
Jameila Douglas dressing as a Goddess carries a torch during the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
SYDNEY—The Human Rights Torch Relay arrived in Sydney on October 27 after successfully completing its two-month European leg.
The welcoming ceremony held at Sydney's Town Hall was met with a large crowd of supporters. The ceremony began with Deputy Mayor of Waverly Dominic Wy Kanak acknowledging the aboriginal owners of the land and speeches followed from Dr Sev Ozdowski Human Rights Commissioner 2000 - 2005 and Greens Senator Kerry Nettle, who are both members of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) in Australia.
"This is a historic occasion," said Dr Ozdowski. "We are creating a new tradition. This is the first time ever – [the running of the human rights torch relay]."
"The human rights torch relay is about people's power, and remember, not that long ago, people's power crumpled the Berlin Wall and brought an end to the Soviet empire, so let us ensure that Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot coexist in China," he said.
Senator Nettle was the first torch bearer in a relay that involved dozens of runners down the main street of Sydney all seeking to highlight human rights abuses occurring in China — the plight of Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetans, Christians, democracy campaigners, outspoken lawyers and reporters in China, as well as the situation in the Sudanese region of Darfur and in Burma.
As the relay reached the historic Rocks district near the Australian icons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, it was Randall Nelson from the Kings Cross Bikers Social and Welfare Club, and Michael Roy from Wednesday Wheelie-Warriors, who added some extra colour to the event by transporting the torch via motorbikes around the popular tourist district.
Speeches and musical acts were held in the afternoon at Circular Quay. Among the speakers was 1964 Olympian swimmer Jan Becker and Pan Qing from the All- China alliance for protecting human rights and opposing violence.
In the crowd was former Wallaby rugby Union player Barry McDonald who was to carry the torch to the Sydney Opera House. In 1969 Mr McDonald toured with the Australian rugby team to South Africa which was then ruled by the racist Apartheid regime.
"I was so shocked by what I saw," he said of the tour to South Africa. "I stood down from selection when they [a racially selected South African side] were coming to Australia in 1970.
I only played a small part – but it as a bit of pressure on the [Apartheid] government – the feeling of isolation that they were becoming international outcasts on the sporting field."
Today Mr McDonald says international pressure on the Chinese regime needs to increase and events like the relay he believes is a good start.
"If nothing happens they are just going to continue with these gross violations of human rights and we have seen it at Tiananmen Square – you know they have shown the whole world what they are prepared to do – and nothings changed since that," he said.
A group photo at the Sydney Opera House during the first day of the Human Rights Torch Relay in Australia. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
"If anything it has gotten worse and its gone underground and they are using the Olympic Games as a means of showing the world how prosperous they are coming and how wonderful the Chinese are becoming under this regime – but y'know there is another side of China that should be shown to the whole world."
Mr McDonald and several other torch relay runners made their way to the Sydney Opera House from where it then traveled via yacht across the Sydney Harbour to the beachside suburb of Manly where more ceremonies and speeches awaited.
Manly Mayor Peter MacDonald told reporters that the Manly community has a good record of speaking out on social justice and human rights and it is a tradition that he said would continue.
"I would like to see lots of councils throughout New South Wales and Australia join us and speak out," he said. "I think this is where the pressure for the organizers of today, that they need to invite other mayors, and I will be happy that they use this example to be repeated together."
Mr MacDonald said he had read the reports on the killing of Falun Gong prisoners of conscience for their bodily organs. "I don't think there is any doubt that there are some terrible things are happening in China, some shocking things," he said.
"I think as individuals we can't do many things, but collectively by joining groups like Amnesty International, by coming to occasions like today held by a local council, who represents 50,000 well off, comfortable Australians, by unanimously saying we need to acknowledge this group and we need to welcome them here and we need to join with them and that we show that we understand the pain and suffering they are going through, that's what we can do," said Mr MacDonald.
The 12-month relay started on August 9 in Athens, Greece and will travel across five continents before arriving in Hong Kong in August 2008. It will leave Australia in mid December and make its way to New Zealand.
(L-R) Aboriginal artist Aedenn Rowan, Senator Kerry Nettle, author Jennifer Zeng and Dean Carey (behind Jennifer), director of the Actors Centre Australia, and young student Morgan Lynch walking with the torch during the first relay leg of the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Darfari refugee Adam Khamis and supporters to end the violence in Darfur and Tibetans walk with the torch during the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Senator Kerry Nettle receives the torch at Town Hall in Sydney during the welcoming ceremony for the Human Rights Torch Relay. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Young Darfur children play around at Circular Quay during the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Former Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin walking through downtown Sydney with the torch. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
1964 Olympic swimmer Jan Becker holds the torch while Randall Nelson drives a motorbike through downtown Sydney during the Human Rights Torch Relay. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
(L-R) Jameila Douglas, Jan Becker, Dr Sev Ozdowski and Ian Cohen in front of the Sydney Opera House. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
Viola Chen runs with the torch during the Human Rights Torch Relay in Sydney. (James Burke/The Epoch Times)
| 43 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
