Oxford supporters of Tibetan freedom lit candles to join in with what was claimed to be the world's biggest 'light demonstration'.
Members of Candle4Tibet, a grassroots campaign set up to support the movement for freedom for the Himalayan country, joined in the silent protest in Cornmarket Street, on Thursday, ahead of the opening of the Beijing Olympics yesterday.
Bino Naksang, 31, of Cowley, organiser of the Oxford branch of the campaign, said: "We have had very good support from people here in Oxford.
"We had about 50 people and they were from all different walks of life.
"There were about eight or nine Tibetans and people from Africa and even one Chinese woman.
"Lots of passers-by came to talk to us and showed us sympathy and some of them wanted Tibetan flags to hang in their cars."
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The candles for freedom were lit worldwide at 9pm.
Mr Naksang, a chef, added: "Tibet is a symbol of freedom. It represents the right for self determination, freedom of thought, belief and religion.
"We have timed this with the opening of the Olympics - a time when China is in the spotlight of public opinion and the world's eyes will be turned to them.
"Ours is a peaceful protest, not for profit or for violence.
"It makes me feel like people are realising what is happening in Tibet and what we want to do now is to push the Chinese government a bit more to let the media into Tibet to find out what's happening."
The issue of human rights threatened to overshadow the Olympic Games.
Scores of monks were believed to have been killed and hundreds detained in Tibet during protests in March.
The purpose of this vigil was not to terrify anyone, it was a peaceful vigil on behalf of the oppressed Tibetan people, furthermore, Tibetan flags are not 'made in China', since this would result in Jail and probably torture.
The purpose of this vigil was not to terrify anyone, it was a peaceful vigil on behalf of the oppressed Tibetan people, furthermore, Tibetan flags are not 'made in China', since this would result in Jail and probably torture.
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