Human rights campaign brings torch to Princeton

Two weeks after widespread political protests inspired by the Olympic torch relay in Beijing, Princeton received a torch of its own.

 The torch, which will journey across six continents, 40 countries and 150 cities, was brought to campus by the Human Rights Torch Rally, a global grassroots campaign that protests the Chinese government’s policies in Tibet, the arrest of Falun Gong followers and other alleged human rights violations.

State legislators, alumni and students involved in the cause spoke yesterday in front of Borough Hall to raise awareness about and spur action against the Chinese government’s policies.

State Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, the first to speak at the rally, said that he wanted to help expose the “deplorable human rights conditions” in China, adding that he believes it necessary to “stand together for human rights” before the Olympics.

Princetonians who joined Gusciora included Doug Lennox ’09 and human rights lawyer David Matas GS ’66, both of whom voiced their support for this international effort.

Lennox, a member of both the University’s varsity swim team and the Puerto Rican Olympic team, said he first got involved in the cause after getting an e-mail from another swimmer at Princeton about the atrocities in Darfur. He then proceeded to join Team Darfur, an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness about the crisis in the Darfur region of the Sudan.

After “accomplishing [his] dreams” with Team Darfur, Lennox realized he could contribute to other causes he found worthy.

Once Lennox had presented the torch, Matas gave an overview of a report he authored alleging that the Chinese government harvests illegal organs from Falun Gong followers.

Matas’ report comes in light of accusations that the Chinese government has tortured, imprisoned and harvested the organs of minorities, including Falun Gong members.

Matas added that the Olympic Games can serve as a way for world leaders to put pressure on China to change its policy toward Tibet. He noted that prime ministers of various nations including Canada, Britain and Germany have threatened not to attend the games’ opening ceremony in protest.

Various speakers also noted that the games will cause a rise in pollution. To counteract this, the Chinese government has gone great lengths to decrease smog in Beijing.

Susan Prager, national director of the Human Rights Torch Relay, said that the event isn’t “anti-China,” but instead places the blame for this issue on the Chinese Communist Party.

“We hope one day to celebrate with you an Olympics that is free of the Chinese Communist Party,” she said.