On September 24, more than 3,000 Tibetans gathered in Washington to protest Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the White House, in what organizers described as the largest-ever Tibetan rally in North America. The rally was organized by Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) and supported by other Tibetan activist organizations.
The protesters came with demands that they said should be part of the China-U.S. relationship: that Trump raise human rights with Xi, that China release political and religious prisoners, and that Tibetans be allowed to preserve their language and culture. The group also demanded the repeal of China’s new Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, which took effect in July and promotes what Beijing calls a shared sense of identity among China’s 56 ethnic groups. Tibetan activists say the law further advances Beijing’s efforts to assimilate Tibetans into Chinese identity. Chinese authorities say the law protects minority rights while promoting ethnic unity.
“Human rights should not be left outside of their talks,” said Tencho Gyatso, president of the International Campaign for Tibet. “The Tibetans, the Uyghurs, the Hong Kongers, the Taiwanese, we want to make sure our voices are also heard there.”
The demonstration unfolded as Xi made his first state visit to Washington in more than a decade. U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed him to the White House for talks that touched on AI, trade, and other issues, while the two governments were also dealing with disputes over Taiwan, Iran and rare earths. Trump hosted Xi at a state dinner on the evening of September 24.
Outside, Tibetan protesters marched through the capital carrying Tibetan flags and signs reading “Xi Jinping is guilty of genocide” and “Tibet was never a part of China.” By the end of the day, the demonstration had expanded into a coalition that included Uyghur, Southern Mongolian, Chinese democracy, Taiwanese, Burmese, Falun Gong, and Chinese Christian groups, all people that have suffered under the Chinese Communist Party.
Outside, Tibetan protesters marched through the capital carrying Tibetan flags and signs reading “Xi Jinping is guilty of genocide” and “Tibet was never a part of China.” By the end of the day, the demonstration had expanded into a coalition that included Uyghur, Southern Mongolian, Chinese democracy, Taiwanese, Burmese, Falun Gong, and Chinese Christian groups, all people that have suffered under the Chinese Communist Party.
Pelosi also spoke in support of the protesters, calling attention to human rights in Tibet and urging the release of prisoners of conscience.
For many Tibetan protesters, Thursday’s demonstration was also shaped by the death of Lobga Rangzen, a longtime Tibetan independence activist who died after self-immolating outside the United Nations in New York on July 2. Rangzen, 52, had called for Tibetan independence and unity in a final message before setting himself on fire.
Jigme Ugen, president of the Tibetan National Congress, said the size of the demonstration showed that the Tibetan independence movement remained active.
“This is the biggest gathering, as such, to not just protest Xi Jinping, but also to tell the world and the U.S. government that the Tibetan movement, and the call for Tibetan independence, is still very much alive,” Ugen said.
Tsering Chomphel, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, who traveled from India for the protest, said people had come from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Vermont, and Toronto. “This is the first-ever mass gathering in North America. Whenever Xi Jinping or a Chinese delegation visits, TYC will be there to make sure our voices are heard.
Seventeen Tibetans had set off on foot from the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 17, walking through Philadelphia before reaching Washington on the evening of September 23 – the same day Xi arrived. Rangzen Dolkar, one of the walkers, said the journey was meant to raise awareness about Tibet and Pawo Lobga Rangzen’s death.
