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Bloggers to Boycott Beijing
by Caoimhin1 | January 11, 2008 at 11:14 am | 1446 views | 30 comments
An evergrowing and expanding network of bloggers are exchanging stories and linking together to highlight Human Rights issues in this Olympic year. A logo, designed by Faithmouse, is being broadcast around the Web representing the Beijing Dancing Man (logo for the Olympics) wearing chains. The idea behind the campaign is to raise awareness of China's policies concerning Burma, the Falun Gong, Darfur, Tibet, et al., during the run-up to the opening ceremonies scheduled for August 8,2008. To participate or for more details see: The post Blogger Boycott.
Update: Prince of Wales to boycott Olympics.
Prince Charles, a long time advocate of Tibet and the Dalai Lama, has announced that he will not attend the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics due to China's record of human rights abuses against the small mountainous country. With six months to go before the start of the Olympics, in August, Charles is the first dignitary or head-of-state to openly rebuff the invitation from China as a humanitarian gesture. See the CNN account here.
Update: Spielberg resigns
Film director Steven Spielberg has resigned as the artistic director for the Games over the Darfur issue. Also of interest in this article is the first disclosure that athletes are being asked, by the Chinese authorities, to abide by a contract that they are not allowed to stage any kind of protest while at the Games. The plot thickens. See story.
Update: Dutch politician wants Boycott
Joel Voordewind raises the issue of a boycott of the Opening Ceremonies and Games. Voordewind blames the late call for a boycott of the 1980 Moscow games as a factor in it's ineffectual results, and presses for an earlier stance this time. Story here.
Update: Czech Politicians join Boycott
The President of Czech Republic and several Ministers will not be going to Beijing for the ceremony or games. Although the President did not give his reasons, the ministers were not bashful about stating that the recent events in Tibet had made up their minds. French and Belgian politicians are now raising the issue of attendance although no one has of yet remarked about the athletes. More here.
Update: Torch Relay Boycotted
On the eve of the Olympic Torch relay run in England several local celebrities today announced they will withdraw from participating because of their sympathies with Tibet. The publicity of the boycott regarding this Sunday's event is causing confusion with the organisers and further embarassment to Chinese authorities. Read more here.
Update: Flemish Parliament announced political boycott of Games.
Update: 25,000 Tibetans to protest in Delhi on August 8th
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January 11, 2008 at 11:14 am by Caoimhin1, 1446 views, 30 comments
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Brian A Kennedyat 11:58 on January 11th, 2008
Caoimhin1, good stuff -- thanks for posting this, and keep us updated about the protest!
at 12:04 on January 11th, 2008
Thanks Brian! Best way to keep up is to join! ;)
at 12:26 on January 11th, 2008
It's a great idea; I wonder what real-world effect it will have. That's the whole issue, though, isn't it? Trade agreements carry more weight than human-rights issues, and those affected by it most (i.e. us) are frozen out of the official dialogue.
at 15:45 on January 11th, 2008
There are still seven months to go before the start of the Olympics, and there are more timely news events in the headlines. As we get closer to the Games themselves more interest will be generated in the direction of China's abuses of Human Rights. You're right though Jordan, hard cash is usually the top priority. This is a vulnerable issue for the Chinese government, they have a whole section dedicated to avoiding a boycott (or even threats of one) and are hoping to avoid a media analysis of their regime's policies. Will a boycott work? Probably not on its own, but; the threat of controversy will keep them coming back to the negotiating table, until the Games are over. Then and there the leverage ends. Now, and until the Games end, is the time to be vocal about the abuses. Best wishes to you!
at 11:51 on January 24th, 2008
The site containing the original image is ranked #3 in the Google web search for "Beijing Olympic Logo" and the image ranking is #17. We need a few more cross linkings to boost these rankings, anyone interested in helping out? Thanks!
at 19:53 on February 2nd, 2008
Do you mean this logo?
at 19:56 on February 2nd, 2008
Yep that's the one! :) Add it to your site, if you like, to help promote awareness!
at 14:58 on February 13th, 2008
I a not asking fo media credentials for this event. I have not desire to travel to China due to the recent jailing of activists and Media professionals. I have seen a few positive gestures of late and hope that they make inroads to freedom. But like Cuba in 1985 I was a student and invited to a Radio conferance. I did not attend. I later found that media professionals and Ham radio operators were shown only the best situations. All had a party rep with them and after they left everyting went back to normal as the host families related to the reporters who kept up communications.
at 10:43 on February 14th, 2008
Thank you for the comment! Most journalists are hoping for the opportunity to get a look inside China this summer; but, I'm afraid the Chinese government has a well planned tour for them.
at 15:40 on March 26th, 2008
No doubt Caomhin1 and Politisite are right, and that the press' impression will be heavily directed by PR teams. (The air pollution will be pretty tough to hide, though)
at 20:25 on March 26th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff. Thanks for presenting this with all the important links that you've done. I feel badly for the athletes who are being pressured from every side, but the Olympics are about politics and sport and most of all -- money. When Mexico City hosted summer Olympics in the 60"s(I think) the world was shocked by the American athletes raising their hands in a black power salute. Now it seems all the athletes raise their hand in victory. The ruling class in the Peoples' Republic must be really frightened to feel they must squash any dissent. Keep us posted!
at 02:07 on July 25th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I think it is no good idea to boycot. Better is to pay attention to what is wrong in China:
http://www.stichtingmilieunet.nl/andersbekekenblog/?p=2563 Want to know what is going on: look to this video:
http://www.unmadeinchina.org/galleria.asp?lang=en&idPag=69
at 06:12 on July 25th, 2008
Very good idea Milieunet, thanks for the links and GS flag! :)
at 06:45 on July 25th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 06:48 on July 25th, 2008
Thank you very much Sanjay!
at 07:52 on July 25th, 2008
Well done, I like this story. Thanks for spreading awareness.
at 08:29 on July 25th, 2008
Thank you Beaulieu, that's the idea!
at 10:59 on July 25th, 2008
What's the latest on this movement, Cao? If you update/edit the story, it will also update the date in the header.
at 12:00 on July 25th, 2008
Thanks Rene, there doesn't seem to be much universal will to actually go through with a boycott; however, many felt that the Human Rights violations were too deplorable to ignore and wished to voice their concerns. It looks as if politics and money will be the big winners at this years Olympics, and the victims of China's policies will lose yet again....
at 15:07 on July 26th, 2008
But many are, their voices just get buried by the 'corrupted compromised corporate media', or maybe the media is afraid they'll get hacked by Chinese Hero Hackers Union. or that they'll get sued by the Chinese. who knows?
doesn't look like updating your story changes the date in the header, so I suggest you add dates to each update, so everyone realizes this isn't just an 'old story'.
there' so many Human Rights violations by China in so many places, including everyone attending the event, that many can't get past that. What can they do against this giant? They might get hacked too. Personally I'm protecting someone close who is going, so there you go. Not me I'm afraid for.
at 11:22 on July 25th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 12:18 on July 25th, 2008
Thanks Mettacara!
at 06:11 on July 26th, 2008
Thanks John!
at 08:24 on July 26th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 08:51 on July 26th, 2008
Thanks a lot Rhonda!
at 15:40 on July 26th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. Great stuff.
at 08:58 on July 27th, 2008
Caoimhin1, I like this story. It's excellent stuff. Certainly deserving of Front Page and continued coverage.
at 04:07 on July 28th, 2008
I agree with this thought Barry, it should remain on the front page with continual coverage.
If at least one news source remains diligent before, during and after the games to show both side of the story at the same time, then it will allow individuals to be aware of the whole story of the 2008 Olympic games and the human rights issues involved.
at 04:09 on July 28th, 2008
Caoimhin1, great stuff and it's important for other to know of and be aware of.
at 08:37 on July 28th, 2008
Thanks Everchanging!