Toronto - Hundreds of Canadians Denounce China's Occupation of Tibet

Toronto - Hundreds of Tibetan supporters marched Sunday March 23, 2008, to denounce China's occupation of Tibet. Protesters called on the Canadian government to do more pressure on the Chinese governement on its human rights record.

Organizer Bhutila Karpoche, who herself has relatives in Tibet, says the event is meant to show solidarity with Tibetans.

Similar protests took place in Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and around the world over the weekend in response to China's violent crackdown on Tibetan demonstrators that's left as many as 100 people dead.

Gelek Badheytsang, a protest organizer with Students for a Free Tibet Canada, said Toronto is home to the largest community of Tibetans in the world outside India and Nepal.

Speaking to CTV Newsnet Sunday, Badheytsang said Canadians understand what they're fighting against.

"The reason why there are so many supporters in these kind or rallies is because Canadians feel strongly about the cause inside Tibet," he said. "They know Chinese authorities have been operating an suppressive regime inside Tibet for more than 50 years now and so they're getting behind us and we're really emboldened by the support we are getting so far."

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