Washington: Anti-Xi protesters gathered outside the White House gates on Thursday, chanting for a free Tibet and Hong Kong as Chinese President Xi Jinping continued his high-profile visit to Washington.
The demonstrators could be heard from the North Portico, where members of the White House press pool were waiting. Protesters chanted slogans including “Free Hong Kong”, “Free Tibet”, “CCP, you’re not welcome” and “Xi Jinping, you’re not welcome”. They also called for the release of political prisoners and jailed Hong Kong media publisher and democracy advocate Jimmy Lai.
Wider Protests Held During Xi Jinping’s Visit
The demonstration near the White House was part of a wider day of protests organised by Tibetan, Uyghur, Hong Kong, Taiwanese, Southern Mongolian and Chinese democracy groups during Xi’s visit. Planned events included demonstrations outside the Chinese Embassy, marches through central Washington, a rally at the US Capitol and an evening candlelight vigil at Franklin Park.
Tibetan organisers said hundreds of protesters were prevented from reaching International Drive to demonstrate outside the Chinese Embassy, despite having secured permits for the gathering. They said protesters were stopped at Van Ness Street amid heavy security and road restrictions.
According to organisers, a Metropolitan Police Department permit authorised up to 2,000 participants, amplified sound and a march beginning at 3505 International Drive.
“We secured all the necessary permits and followed every requirement asked of us,” Tibetan Youth Congress President Tsering Chomphel said. He described the gathering as a peaceful protest and said participants should be allowed to demonstrate at the location for which permission had been granted.
Groups Raise Concerns Over Restrictions, Surveillance
The International Campaign for Tibet said groups supporting the protests were allowed to gather freely outside the White House while Tibetan protesters faced restrictions near the Chinese Embassy.
Capital Area Tibetan Association President Tenzin Norbu said the restrictions raised concerns about whether other planned demonstrations and marches would be allowed to proceed.
Ryan Fioresi, executive director of the International Campaign for Tibet, alleged that Chinese individuals were recording Tibetans during the demonstrations. He said Tibetan Americans had the right to peacefully protest in the United States and raised concerns about what he described as surveillance and intimidation.
The protesters also called for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama and other Tibetan political prisoners. They demanded renewed dialogue between Chinese authorities and Tibetan representatives and an end to policies they say are eroding Tibet’s religious, cultural and linguistic identity.
The protests came during Xi Jinping’s September 23-25 state visit to the United States, which included meetings and events with US President Donald Trump in Washington.