Human rights activists protest parade float promoting 2008 Beijing Olympics

By: North County Times wire services - | Saturday, October 6, 2007 7:11 PM PDT ∞

PASADENA -- The ugly world of political suppression and international politics might rain on Pasadena's famous parade, as human rights groups are planning to protest the inclusion of a float from China in the Rose Parade, it was reported Saturday.

A news conference is planned for Monday outside Tournament of Roses headquarters to protest the float advertising the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.

Human rights activists say the government of China should not be treated as a welcome guest on Colorado Boulevard at the same time it is throwing political dissidents in jail. "We cannot avoid human rights issues," said John Li, president of a Falun Gong club at Pasadena's Caltech campus.

Li told The Los Angeles Times that members of his spiritual group will protest during the parade, and will ask other human rights group members to join them.

The political aspect of the China float is putting Pasadena's city council in the spotlight, The city's Human Relations Commission has asked the council to look into human rights violation in China, and Falun Gong members went to commission meetings to describe their imprisonment and torture in chinese prisons.

The commission has asked the city council to formally look into the issue, and suggested that the Dalia Lama, a Tibetan spiritual leader, be grand marshal of next year's parade.

Pasadena's city council has been handed the hot potato issue, and at least one council members said the float should be viewed as representing the Beijing Olympic games, not the chinese political situation.

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RWC wrote on Oct 7, 2007 7:47 AM:China is an oppressive communist government in which 10% rule and live in luxury while the remaining 90% of the populous live as slaves. The USA is guilty of helping this repressive government to prosper. Just look in your favorite retail store where the merchandise you buy is made. Freedom does not exist in China. As a free people we should be doing what we can to free the 90% in China. Honoring China with a float in parade is going into the wrong direction.

Ann wrote on Oct 7, 2007 9:25 AM:I read a quote in the LA Times by Pasadena Mayor Bill Boggard : "For an elected official that worries about potholes and planning, this international diplomacy is a little heady." What a joke. Sounds like he's in a little over his head. If he can't deal with the problem he invited into his City, and can't deal with the grass roots and international pressure of opposition, maybe he should hide out in a pothole until his next election day.

JK wrote on Mar 31, 2008 7:28 PM:YOU GUYS EVEN HAVE NOT COME TO CHINA IN YOUR LIFE, THEN HOW COULD YOU THROW ILL-MINDED WORDS TO MY COUNTRY!!! IF YOUR COUNTRY HAD FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS THEN TELL ME WHY THE UNCLE SAM HAVE BEEN SENDINS ZILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO IRAQ AND 4,000 OUT OF THEM DIED NOT INCLUDING THE WOUNDED!!! ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THIS?????

Jocelyn wrote on Mar 31, 2008 7:31 PM:YOU GUYS EVEN HAVE NOT COME TO CHINA IN YOUR LIFE, THEN HOW COULD YOU THROW ILL-MINDED WORDS TO MY COUNTRY!!! IF YOUR COUNTRY HAD FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS THEN TELL ME WHY THE UNCLE SAM HAVE BEEN SENDINS ZILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO IRAQ AND 4,000 OUT OF THEM DIED NOT INCLUDING THE WOUNDED!!! ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THIS?????

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