Dharamshala — Around a hundred Tibetans gathered in Washington D.C. on Sunday to call on the US President to raise Tibetan issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping. These issues include the recently passed ‘Ethnic Unity Law’, human rights violations, the suppression of the Tibetan language, culture and religion, and the destruction of Tibet’s fragile environment.
The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress New York and New Jersey (RTYCNYNJ) organised protest outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C.; around 100 Tibetans from RTYC, Tibetan activist Thupten and Uyghur activists also joined the protest and the call on May 10, 2026.
The protest is part of the event organised on the 10th of every month by the RTYCNYNJ to commemorate the thousands of Tibetans, who gathered outside the Potala Palace on 10 March 1959 to protest against the Chinese Communist Party’s illegal occupation of Tibet. This is their 20th protest. 70 Tibetan activists from the RTYCNYNJ, Tibetan activists from other Tibetan organisations, the Tibetan activist Thupten Choeying and his family members, as well as Uyghur activists, took part in the protest.
They call on the USA President Trump to raise Tibetan and Ugyur issues to the Chinese President Xi Jinping including "China's Ethnic Unity Law", no Political control over Tibetan Reincarnation and the forced Assimilation in Tibet . President Trump is due to visit China from 13 to 15 May 2026.
They call on slogans such as " Declare Genocide in Tibet," " Pass the Tibet Atrocities Determination," "Reject China's Ethnic Unity Law," "No Political Control Over Tibetan Reincarnation," " Protect Tibet's Faith, Culture and Nation," " Stop Forced Assimilation in Tibet."
They also organised awareness-raising campaigns on the current situation in Tibet, particularly regarding the arrests and imprisonments of people exercising their fundamental rights to protect the Tibetan environment, language, culture and religion, to the public at Dupont Circle and outside the White House in Washington DC.
Kelsang Dolma, memeber of RTYCNYNJ said the gathering, "We gathered here for two important reasons. First, to congratulate the United States of America on the historic celebration of 250 years of independence. A nation founded upon liberty, democracy, justice, and human dignity. Secondly, we respectfully appeal to the President of the United States to raise the issue of Tibet during his upcoming visit and meeting with the President of China."
"On behalf of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress New York and New Jersey and our Tibetan community, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the government and the people of the United States of America. In the early 1990s through the Tibetan Resettlement Project, America opened not only its doors but also its heart to the Tibetan refugees. Because of this historic humanitarian support, thousands of Tibetans were able to rebuild their lives in safety, dignity, and in freedom," she added.
"Today, America has become a second home to many of our Tibetan community and Tibetan people. Our children have received an opportunity and a life here in America. Our elders have found safety. Our culture has survived in freedom. For this, we the Tibetan people will always remain grateful to the American people and the government. As America approaches its 250th anniversary of independence, we proudly congratulate this great democratic nation that continues to inspire the world through its commitment to freedom, human rights, and justice," Kelsang said.
"We also sincerely thank members of both houses of Congress, Senators, Representatives, Assembly members, and all American people and advocates who courageously stood with Tibet. Who courageously stood with Tibet and spoke for those whose voices were silenced under oppression," She explained.
The representative of RTYNYNJ said, "At a time when many governments hesitate to challenge China, the United States continued to raise its voice for truth, religious freedom, and for human dignity. We deeply appreciate many of important bills, resolutions, and laws passed in support of Tibet and the Tibetan people."
"America is a true champion of democracy and defenders of justice. So friends, as we travel from New York City to Washington DC today, our message is urgent, emotional, and clear. When the President of the United States meets the President of China in the coming days, Tibet must not be forgotten. The current situation inside Tibet is extremely critical. Under the so-called "ethnic unity law", the Chinese government is aggressively targeting Tibetans identity and attempting to erase the unique identity of Tibetans and the other minority communities," she declared.
"Thousands of Tibetan children are being forcibly separated from their families and placed into colonial boarding schools where Tibetan language, culture, and religion are restricted or suppressed. Instead of learning their own history and identity, Tibetan children are being taught Chinese political ideology in an attempt to turn Tibetans into Chinese in the name of assimilation. A whole generation is being raised away from their roots, language, religion, and national identity. This is not unity. This is a forced assimilation. This is a cultural destruction and genocide," she stated.
"We also strongly condemn China's interference in the Tibetan Buddhism and its attempt to control the sacred reincarnation system of the Tibetan spiritual leaders. No communist government has the moral or spiritual authority to decide the future reincarnation of the Tibetan Buddhist leaders. Hands off to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. Hands off the Tibetan Buddhism," She declared.
"Today, we once again demand the immediate release of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, along with his parents and teacher. Since being abducted by the Chinese authorities at the age of six, he has remained disappeared from the world for more than three decades. His disappearance remains one of the longest unresolved cases of enforced disappearance in modern history. We also call for the immediate release of all Tibetan political prisoners suffering inside the Chinese prisons without fair trials or basic human rights," Kesang explained.
"Tibet is not important only for Tibetans. Tibet is important for Asia. Tibet is important for the entire world. Tibet is known as the water tower of Asia, the source of major rivers that provide water to nearly two billion people. Tibet's environment directly affects global climate stability. Tibet's geopolitical location is vital to peace and security across Asia. Tibet's spiritual and cultural heritage carries the universal message of compassion, non-violence, peace, and harmony. A free and peaceful Tibet benefits not only Tibetans, it benefits humanity. So that is why international support and especially United States support is extremely important at this critical moment in history," she said.
"Today, we stand here peacefully but firmly to thank America, to congratulate America on its 250th anniversary, and to appeal for the continued support for Tibet and the Tibetan people. As history remembers, as history remembers those who stand on the side of truth and justice, until Tibet is free, until Tibetan children can learn their own language freely, until the Panchen Lama returns home, until Tibetans regain their dignity, freedom, and rights, our struggle will continue," She concluded the statement of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress New York and New Jersey.
