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ISLANDERS and visitors have taken the plight of Tibetans to their hearts, judging from a special vigil on Sunday in Brodick.
Tibetan exile Passla Gautier, who lives on Arran, held the vigil with husband Philippe and members of Free Tibet from Edinburgh and Glasgow to publicise the situation in Tibet, particularly Lhasa, the capital, where Passla comes from, where monks and natives have been rebelling against 60 years of Chinese rule.
Thousands of protesters have been arrested and Passla, who left Tibet 17 years ago, said she wanted the UK government to be more aware of what was going on in Tibet.
Passla was granted political asylum in the UK. She and Philippe said they were delighted with the support on Sunday – at their busiest period there were 100 people visiting their table to pick up leaflets and sign a Free Tibet campaign petition. They included Reverend John Webster.
Philippe said: ‘We got the message across and a lot of local people came up offering their support over the three hours that we were there.’
About 50 or so people signed up to receive emails about the campaign.
Passla added: ‘Oppression of human rights all over the world is a subject which was particularly at the heart of the vigil. A one-minutesilence was observed to commemorate all those who have suffered as a result of human rights abuse.’
A further protest is planned in Edinburgh on Friday April 4, with a Freedom Torch Relay.
Seven Drapchi nuns will be bringing a Tibetan Freedom Torch, currently circulating the world in the same manner as the Olympic torch.
They were among 14 Drapchi nuns imprisoned for attending peaceful demonstrations calling for Tibetan independence. While in prison they recorded freedom songs, which they will perform in the evening in St John’s Church, Princes Street.
