This weekend saw some rabble-rousing in London, where thousands of activists took to the streets to protest Olympic host China’s perpetual oppression of Tibet.
Gay activist Peter Tatchell counts as one of the thirty-five arrested, who was protesting the incarceration of HIV activist Hu Jia. And you can be sure the ever-press ready Peter released a self-centric statement:
The bus bearing the Olympic torch was today ambushed outside Selfridges department store in Oxford Street, London, by gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of OutRage!
Mr Tatchell ran in front of the bus carrying the Olympic flame. He held up a placard which read: “Free Tibet, Free Hu Jia.” He shouted the same words as he ran along in front of the bus.
The police wrestled Mr Tatchell to the ground, which delayed the bus briefly while he was removed to pavement. After questioning, he was later released without charge.
“Hu Jia was jailed for three and half years last week for campaigning for free speech, Tibetan autonomy, environmental protection, and for the human rights of the rural poor and people with HIV,” said Mr Tatchell.
Despite Tatchell and company’s best efforts, the Olympic torch made it to safety and will now make its flaming way to gay Paris.
