Pro-Beijing protestors must not break the law – Brown

Pro-Beijing protestors going to Canberra for the Olympic torch relay should reflect on which country they are in, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
 
Senator Brown has called on the organisers to explain what they mean by arranging "strong men" to protect the torch (see pg 1, today's Sydney Morning Herald).
 
"If there were busloads of Tibetans heading from Lhasa to Beijing to protest about the military occupation of their country they would go straight to jail," Senator Brown said.
 
"But the busloads of pro-Beijing people going from Sydney and Melbourne to Canberra next Thursday are in a free country-in stark contrast to the Chinese communist dictatorship. Their protests should be peaceful and they should reflect on the freedoms we all enjoy in this country as they pursue the vilification of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans seeking freedom and democracy in their own land," Senator Brown said.
 
Senator Brown has been asked by Tibetan communities to address a rally on Thursday, 24th April.
 
Senator Brown is available for comment in Sydney today.
 
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603