MAJORA FOR TIBET

Majora Carter, after being physically manhandled by Chinese special forces, ejected as a torchbearer, and pushed into the bystanders by San Francisco police. Photo: Ron Harris / AP

D

eep WAI to Majora Carter.

An award-winning environmentalist from New York City, Majora Carter was selected by relay sponsor Coca-Cola to carry the Olympic torch in San Francisco. But Ms. Carter had a feeling of solidarity with Tibetans, now undergoing a brutal crackdown at the hands of Chinese security forces for expressing their need for freedom, and Ms. Carter had a plan.

On the night before the relay, she appeared before thousands of Tibet supporters (some of whom booed her for her participation in the relay, according to other reports), but she didn't give any hint of her intentions.

"Think of me as I’m carrying that torch and understand what’s in my heart as I do," she said, "and understand I am with you in your fight and in your struggle and that I love you and that I love the people of Tibet."

She had practiced in her hotel room, repeating the smooth move which produced a colourful flag from within her sleeve. At around 2 p.m. the next day, she was ready -- with the knowledge that she wouldn't have much time. The Chinese paramilitary guards were going to be allowed to provide "security" on American soil, and they would be surrounding her. Their own units have been shooting Tibetans lately. She was not afraid.

"I really felt a total, complete sense of oneness with the people of Tibet," she said. She added that as "a civil rights activist in this country," she could not stand in support of China.

She began her run, and within seconds the snow lion flag was out and waving. She wasn't hampering the procession, she was the procession.

She waved the flag for roughly five seconds, until a Chinese guard saw her. He lunged at her. She dodged him. He lunged again and soon wrested the flag from her hand, saying, "Sorry, I can’t let you do this."

She said she was pushed toward a group of San Francisco police officers, who then pushed her into a crowd of bystanders. Her time in the spotlight was over. The torch kept moving.

At least he said sorry. They must teach that in Sacred Flame Protection Unit military training.

Later in the day Majora Carter was brought to a stage before more Tibet supporters, escorted by an aide of Dalai Lama. This time there was no booing.

People bowed, hugged her, kissed her and cried. They threw scarves around her neck. One person told her she must be related to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Oh my gosh," Ms. Carter recalled thinking. "Just that one little act that I did was seen as so substantial."

Substantial indeed it was, Majora. Thank you.



And do take a gander at comments on that video (just click the screen). Some Chinese patriots are calling her a "thug"!

Labels: China, Tibet

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