The Tibetan community and Tibet supporters in the Washington, DC area are having daily vigils in front of the Embassy of China in Washington, DC, located at 2300 Connecticut Ave NW – (202) 332-8851, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

The vigils, organized by the Capital Area Tibetan Association, is to express solidarity with the Tibetans in Tibet.

Since March 10, 2008, there have been a series of demonstrations by Tibetans in Tibet, including in Lhasa as well as in eastern and north eastern Tibet, against Chinese rule. Many Tibetans have been killed and injured. Rather than addressing the grievances of the Tibetans, Chinese armed police have resorted to the use of force killing many Tibetans, injuring many more, and bringing the entire city of Lhasa under virtual Martial Law, according to eyewitness and media reports. While the Dalai Lama has appealed for calm and restrain, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has made negative statements aggravating the situation.

For updated information about vigils and actions in the Washington, D.C. area, please visit the website of the Capital Area Tibetan Association (http://www.dctibetan.com). CATA intends to hold the vigils for the next several days.

The Chinese embassy is located at 2133 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007