Calgary's Tibetan community gathers to mark Uprising Day

Dozens of people gathered in front of Calgary's city hall on Thursday to mark the Tibetan National Uprising Day.

"Today, Tibetan supporters around the world and in Canada are standing up for those Tibetans who are still living under occupation under the Chinese regime," said Pema Lektsog with the Tibetan Association of Alberta. 

The group waved the Tibetan flag and held signs with slogans such as, "Human rights in Tibet," "Allow media in Tibet," and "Stop torture in Tibet." They finished their march in front of the Consulate-General of Of the People's Republic Of China. 

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"We want Canadians in particular to know that in today's age, there are still people living without basic human rights and that's happening in Tibet," said Lektsog. "We want to raise awareness about that to the general public, show Tibetans in Tibet that Canada stands with them in terms of fighting for freedom of rights."

Tibetans have been fighting for an independent state for centuries. In 1959, Tibetans launched an armed separatist revolt. Thousands died battling Chinese troops, and the Dalai Lama fled to India with 80,000 followers where he established a government in exile.

"We're also here to ask the Canadian government to do anything they can to encourage a dialogue for a peaceful resolution to this situation that has been going on for 57 years," said Lektsog. 

She said Tibetans are "a people that have hope."

"We believe in truth and that ultimately truth will prevail," said Lektsog. 

"We are always hopeful that with a new government and new relationships that we are able to continue to focus and put pressure on China and the United Nations to come up with a positive resolution to this issue."