Seattle's Human Rights Torch Relay Walk, Rally and Concert May 18, 2008

Seattle's Human Rights Torch Relay on May 18 will feature a torch walk through downtown, a free concert and rally. An international campaign joined by human rights groups from around the globe, the Human Rights Torch Relay seeks to bring an end to all human rights abuses against the people of China. Join others concerned about human rights in China, NGOs, musicians, and guest speakers in this event for improved human rights in China.

The Torch Walk will start at Hing Hay Park in Chinatown at 10AM and proceed through downtown to Westlake Park for a free concert and rally at 11 AM. The rally features the following speakers and performers: speeches by Larry Dhors - President of Seattle Burma Roundtable, Sophie Liu - Falun Gong practitioner tortured in China, Jamp Thubten - former Tibetan monk and Jane Jin - President of the Washington State Chinese Democracy & Human Rights Office. The concert will feature local favorite Artis the Spoonman, J-Minus and guests.

HRTR's theme: The Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot coexist in China.

China was granted the right to host the Olympic Games after it pledged to adhere to the Olympic Charter and improve its human rights record. Instead, its human rights abuses have spread, intensified and increased against new groups. Prior to the 2008 Olympics, the Human Rights Torch visits more than 100 cities on five continents, bringing to light the Chinese Communist Party's human rights violations and highlighting the persecution of Falun Gong, the most severely persecuted group in China today, working with with other human rights groups. In the Northwest the torch has visited Oregon, Montana and Idaho, and Spokane prior to this Seattle event.

Free.

Official Website: http://www.humanrightstorch.org/news/2008/04/15/torch-relay-event-seattle/