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Olympic protestors return home to chorus of cheers

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Iain Thom speaks after returning from China
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Published Date: 07 August 2008
A SCOTS campaigner arrested in China after staging a Free Tibet protest outside the country's showpiece Olympic Stadium was greeted by a chorus of cheers as he landed in Britain today.
Iain Thom, 24, from Edinburgh, who unfurled a 140-square-foot banner reading "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet" during a protest, landed at London City Airport to be met by a posse of supporters, media members and family.

Thom and fellow campaigner Lucy Fairbrother, 23, were ordered home after he scaled a 120ft pylon with American Phil Bartell. They boarded a flight back from Beijing via Frankfurt, Germany, last night.

As they walked through arrivals the pair were embraced by supporters and their family before a Tibetan, named as only as Norbu, placed two traditional headscarves around their necks.

Reflecting on their ordeal, the pair insisted they had been treated well after being arrested – but claimed there would be more protests.

Mr Thom, from Edinburgh, said he managed to scale the pylon because climbing was his long-term hobby.

He said: "It was not difficult to get through the security as we had been planning this for four years.

"We were treated well – there was some tough questioning after our arrests but nothing in respect of the way Chinese citizens would have been treated."

London-based Miss Fairbrother said: "We are only a very small part of this campaign and the ongoing struggle.

"We will carry on fighting and there will be more protests during the Olympic Games."

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  • Last Updated: 07 August 2008 1:41 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: 2008 Olympics
 
1

Neil,

Glasgow 07/08/2008 14:02:06
Perhaps in 2012 Chinese tourists will be demonstrating against the Nazi thugs, murdereres, war criminals, liars, chlid rapists & organleggers running Britain. When that happens I think we can rely on our media not to seriously report it.
2

Mercian,

UK 07/08/2008 14:08:16
China quickly expelled them without a fuss, not wishing to create an international incident in the build-up to the Games, I expect. Glad to see them home and safe.
3

Yeah1,

07/08/2008 14:34:06
#2

"Perhaps in 2012 Chinese tourists will be demonstrating against the Nazi thugs, murdereres, war criminals, liars, chlid rapists & organleggers running Britain. When that happens I think we can rely on our media not to seriously report it."

Perhaps if the UK really was run by 'Nazi thugs' who are 'child rapists' and 'organleggers' then maybe it would be protested against and reported on by the world's media.

Since what you say is clearly a figment of your warped imagination then that isn't going to happen. Or maybe I'm wrong and you can provide me with actual evidence that the leaders in our country are 'nazis' and 'child rapists'?
4

Neil Waugh,

Old Strathcona 07/08/2008 14:40:11
Are Scots protesting the English occupation of our country going to get the same bum's rush out of London in 2012? Or will they be greeted with a "chorus of cheers" too. Don't count on it if the way the Manchester cops went after the Rangers Firm is any indication of what's in the work.
5

Mashimaro,

China 07/08/2008 14:50:08
They should have been arrested and locked up for breaking our law. Petty criminals who know nothing about what they shout about.
6

Mashimaro,

China 07/08/2008 14:51:26
They should have been arrested and locked up for breaking our law. Petty criminals who know nothing about what they shout about.
7

Number 6,

Germany 07/08/2008 14:53:07
A disgrace that could have implications for British firms trying to do business in China. I would remove their passports permanentley.

8

wattie>x 1,

PLYMOUTH 07/08/2008 15:02:16
If these welcomed protesters were sincere in their defence off freeodom why don't they offer their sevices to the military and serve in Iraq or Aghanistan?
What happened in our land off freedom when the state had them removed from the Westmister area when legally protesting? One; a young lady whose ony offence was to read out the list off victims of our young service personnel who had been killed in Iraq, when supposedly establishing FREEDOM!
9

Mashimaro,

China 07/08/2008 15:05:20
yep...yep...yep Wattie
10

Mashimaro,

China 07/08/2008 15:11:56
Oh Nomad... According to Amnesty's latest figures, more than 300 people have died after being shocked by a Taser in the US and Canada since 2001.
11

AJ Fife,

07/08/2008 15:20:16
Great stuff and a job well done!

However, if I was Mr Thom, I'd give Chinese 'kerry oot' shops a miss for a while.....
12

Canada,

Canada 07/08/2008 15:42:11
After giving their egos a polish, maybe they can get a real job. Pofessional protesters and hangers on who haven't grown up yet. Maybe they can fight poverty, violence and polution in the UK.
13

Mashimaro,

China 07/08/2008 15:44:02
#16 Don't be silly. How would they get their name in the press if they did that?
14

Puling Prince Roman,

Up a pylon with my banner 07/08/2008 15:58:01
It's just a damn shame they didn't have time to unroll that third banner:

"Return the native Tibetans to feudal serfdom! Three cheers for the aristocratic landlords and the theocracy!"

15

Mashimaro,

China 07/08/2008 16:22:24
Yeah...Bring Back Slavery didn't make the cut either.
16

lush,

Beijing - Haidian 07/08/2008 16:23:52
Why couldnt these idiots have just protested safely in one of the many offical protest zones?! I severely hope no free tibet idiots ruin the opening ceremony with some stupid and dangerous protest.
17

,

07/08/2008 16:29:50
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18

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 16:32:30
Mashimaro, lush, can you tell me whatever happened to this brave man?

http://tinyurl.com/5gn4ca
19

kimba,

07/08/2008 16:39:27
What a pair of gompers,this only gets up china's back,and makes things twice as bad!
20

Puling Prince Roman,

Up a pylon with my banner 07/08/2008 16:41:28
Just as a matter of interest, I wonder how Scottish Nationalists would feel if a middle-class Chinaman who couldn't speak English came over here for a couple of weeks, and on the basis of his deep understanding of the situation launched a worldwide publicity campaign insisting that Scotland remain part of the Union.
21

Puling Prince Roman,

Up a pylon with my banner 07/08/2008 16:42:42
Alternatively, I wonder how Scottish Unionists would feel if a middle-class Chinaman who couldn't speak English came over here for a couple of weeks, and on the basis of his deep understanding of the situation launched a worldwide publicity campaign insisting that Scotland become independent.
22

likkitysplit,

Land of the free 07/08/2008 16:53:06
I dont know much about the history between china and tibet and if i am brutally honest i dont really give a t*ss.

China, although massively huge is a developing nation and should be given encouragement to continue the necessarily gradual process of relaxing their regime whenever possible, and not be constantly reminded of their sordid legacy.

23

Canada,

Canada 07/08/2008 16:53:24
Don't they look so smug and pleased with themselves in the picture. Egotistical, self righteous twits.
24

kimba,

07/08/2008 16:59:08
27. You said it,gompers!
25

overton,

balmedie 07/08/2008 17:01:38

What a pair of ignorant, ill-mannered, self-rightious clowns.
26

white cloud,

07/08/2008 17:02:01
Its good to see them safe back!

But they have made idiot decision! they think they are heros, but they are used by someone! Idiots!
27

,

07/08/2008 17:04:17
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28

kimba,

07/08/2008 17:08:14
31. You are as stupid as them,they have done NOTHING to help these people in Tibet,infact they have made matters worse!
29

,

07/08/2008 17:12:12
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30

kimba,

07/08/2008 17:15:40
33. And you are a scottish gomper,what the f--k are you on about!
31

,

07/08/2008 17:19:55
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32

likkitysplit,

Better be worth it 07/08/2008 17:20:40
jings, the lengths one has to go to fur a sh*g!
33

,

07/08/2008 17:31:11
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34

,

07/08/2008 17:34:14
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35

,

07/08/2008 17:44:27
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36

,

07/08/2008 18:02:08
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37

Canada,

Canada 07/08/2008 18:11:22
Some of the participants here are just plain mad, bad mannered, and grossly ignorant. The pseudonyms are offnsive and dumb and if in any further doubt the contents prove unfit for fair sesnsible and serious dialogue. Time for the Scotsman to do as they do in China, sensor the idiots or close the page down.
38

,

07/08/2008 18:28:07
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39

It's life but not as we know it,

The Oort Clouds 07/08/2008 18:32:58
Anybody who watches just one event in this criminal olympic games is complicit in China's evil dictatorship. Our sports people are a disgrace for going there.
40

,

07/08/2008 18:44:37
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41

Mashimaro,

China 07/08/2008 18:46:53
#37... What is the worthy cause... please, explain

#43...YAWWWWWWWNNNN
42

kimba,

07/08/2008 18:54:04
37. Must get it from my Scottish side! Wednesday, 23 July 2008
A popular Scottish tourist attraction provoked outrage by banning English visitors and destroying 'English' items such as bone china and the works of Shakespeare. English visitors will only be allowed entry if they sign a scroll swearing allegiance to Scotland, while those from other countries will be encouraged to bring in items deemed 'typically English’ to be smashed. Now this is racist!
43

Canada,

Canada 07/08/2008 19:11:13
#41 Smarten up man. If you want a slagfest try the Daily Record. The Scotsman is read in many parts of the world. Try and do your country proud.
44

Sanny,

07/08/2008 19:11:21
Kimba if you really want to see racist comments try this weeks Spectator. The comment columns are full of the most ignorant anti-Scottish comments I've seen in any magazine. It is worthy of the BNP
45

kimba,

07/08/2008 19:14:57
48. Oh dear,wonder why that is!
46

kimba,

07/08/2008 19:24:53
48. Could it possibly be that at long last the people of England have had enough! enough of salmond and his racist comments,enough of Brown and his scottish raj. If a English museum had pulled the same trick as the Edinburgh dungeons,all h-ll would of broken loose!
47

kimba,

07/08/2008 19:30:47
Any way, good luck to TEAM GB in Beijing!
48

,

07/08/2008 19:38:40
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49

W Smith,

Middle East 07/08/2008 20:15:04
Its time.....


to join the dots.


Will Iain Thom be criticising the Scottish Labour Party and the SNP for support Mao admirer Tony Benn?

It was Mr Benn who said Chairman Mao was, qoute, "one of the most influential men of the 20th Century".

Chairman Mao had the Peoples Liberation Army invade Tibet in 1950.

Both Salmond and Galloway have publicly demonstrated with Tony Benn the admirer of Chairman Mao.

Iain Thom the 'expert' on Tibet knows all this right?
50

Bejjy,

07/08/2008 20:39:36
See that its being proposed that we have a GB football team competing in the 2012 games to be held in London. Now, that will be interesting.
51

Huntly loon,

Aberdeenshire 07/08/2008 21:06:43
Wasn't it interesting hearing President Bush lambasting China on their human rights violations. The very same president who gave the world Guantanamo, military courts for foreign nationals, the unrecognised status of 'enemy combatants' to avoid the status of prisoners of war; suspends the Geneva Convention, which the warmongering 19th century Europeans accepted; allowed a Mexican to be lethally injected in Texas in contravention of International Law, which that state's judiciary declared did not apply to them; still executes prisoners which the civilised world abandoned last century; wages aggressive war in foreign countries without the sanction of the UN: I could go on but images of blackened pots and kettles keep coming to mind.
52

Angus Coull,

San Francisco 07/08/2008 21:09:12
#24 Puling Prince Roman,Up a pylon with my banner

"Just as a matter of interest, I wonder how Scottish Nationalists would feel if a middle-class Chinaman who couldn't speak English came over here for a couple of weeks, and on the basis of his deep understanding of the situation launched a worldwide publicity campaign insisting that Scotland remain part of the Union."

It's funny you should mention that, because by banning the Scottish flag from the olympics while allowing the union flag, the Chinese government does indeed appear to be taking sides on the Scottish constitutional issue. I seriously doubt it has any deep understanding of the issues involved either.
53

Angus Coull,

San Francisco 07/08/2008 21:21:43
#9 Number 6,Germany

"A disgrace that could have implications for British firms trying to do business in China."

I do hope you're right. We shouldn't be doing business with China anyway. Until democracy and basic human rights are respected in China it should be treated as a pariah state by the free world.
54

mikep,

Los Angeles 07/08/2008 21:23:33
These people are real hypocrites, and an embarrassment to us all. Don't they realize that they aren't just insulting the Chinese but the Olympics as well? I find what they're doing incredibly offensive, not much different from what the Palestinians did in Munich in 1972. Kudos to Chinese for arresting them. The Olympics is for the entire world, and they shouldn't let a few malcontents ruin it for everyone else. They shame all of the world.

What do these people think they're accomplishing? Do they really think that anyone is going to take seriously the protests of people from the country that monitors it's own citizens more than any other? Do they think that they're going to make a difference? All they're going to do is to insult and alienate the Chinese, harden their attitudes, and, in the long run, hurt the Tibetans.

These folks need to do a few weeks in an American prison. That might teach them a bit about human rights.
55

Caora Dubh,

Croit sheasgair 07/08/2008 21:37:21
Fantastic! Gold medals for running, jumping, swimming etc are of no importance whatsoever compared with the 150-odd Tibetan freedom fighters that have been killed so far this year. The Olympics are mere games - it is of no consequence whatsoever who wins which event. Did the AmerUSAns boycott apartheid South Africa? You bet. Did they boycott Moscow after the USSR invaded Afghanistan? Of course! I PUBLICLY DAMN EVERY SINGLE ATHLETE WHO PARTICIPATES IN BEIJING. EACH ONE OF YOU IS SPITTING ON THE GRAVES OF TIBETANS, EACH ONE OF YOU CARES MORE ABOUT YOUR OWN BLOODY MEDAL THAN HUMAN RIGHTS. DAMN YOU, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
56

Caora Dubh,

Croit sheasgair 07/08/2008 21:42:17
As for the International Olympic Committee: For years your members have galavanted around the world collecting bribes and freebies for yourselves and your families, each plane trip pouring CO2 into the atmosphere. The entire Olympic bidding process is a sad, sick farce. The Olympics belong to Greece, permanently. Enough of this idiocy. Cancel your next lunatic meeting in Durban, South Africa, and hold a video-conference instead.
57

Lee Hutchison,

fife scotland 07/08/2008 21:46:43
#58 couldn't agree more, well said

#60 basic human rights are more important than trade agreements and backhand deals ? are you sure ?

#59 I'd join you on your planet but the air there would kill me......

not much different from what the palestinians did ?
unveiling a flag in a peaceful protest is akin to kidnapping and murdering athletes ?

have you had your medication today ?
58

Donald, Edinburgh,

07/08/2008 21:54:48
to be fair, there's never going to be anwyhere the games can be held which isn't controversial to some groups. Athens, permanently, would be a good idea, in my opinion.

That said, to anyone familiar with the writings and life of the Dalai Lama, the Chinese Govmt's statements about him are manifestily absurd.
59

The Former Mr. Angry,

07/08/2008 22:29:43
"It was not difficult to get through the security as we had been planning this for four years.

"We were treated well – there was some tough questioning after our arrests but nothing in respect of the way Chinese citizens would have been treated."

Four years! To climb a pole?! Absolutely brilliant. He was just lucky he wasn't mistaken for a terrorist and shot on the spot. They have had one or two incidents recently. In the event the Chinese have reacted quickly and sensibly by getting him home. I'm not even convinced he has the real interests of Tibet at heart as he does apparently have many causes which he campaigns on - something of a narcissistic attention seeker. Away and work.
60

,

07/08/2008 22:35:48
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61

,

07/08/2008 22:41:13
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62

Rufus T. Firefly,

07/08/2008 22:49:32
Who cares about Tibet?

I want to know when the ladies beach volleyball starts.
63

indune1,

Canada 07/08/2008 22:57:51

There is much to protest about the Chinese government.

However, let's be clear, Mr. Thom is not on "leave" as his efforts on other causes are supported financially by those backing such interests.

He endures no personal expense or economic loss whilst he is on "leave"

He is a professional protestor. Fine, that is his right and choice but he is no "hero".

I more admire those who protested against the Vietnam war in the US and were quite prepared to be bludgeoned, imprisoned or shot for their beliefs.

Mr. Thom pulled off a stunt knowing that the Chinese authorities would treat him with kid gloves.

He has now had his 15 hrs of fame.

Courage? Some would say so.

I look at him and see someone who is a mile wide and an inch deep.

If he believes so passionately in the Tibetan people's fate why didn't he go there and join the resistance movement?

Che Guevara did in another part of the world for a cause with similar traits. I disagree with such Communist heroes but resoect their convictions and will to sacrifice.

Buy Mr. Thom a drink? Let him buy his own.
64

Matt there,

somewhere 07/08/2008 23:07:06
Get out of Tibet.
65

Pilrig.,

Livingston 07/08/2008 23:24:34
The brown nosed defenders of the Beijing mafia are out in force on this threid again.
Nev Chamberlaine's long deid but his spirit is alive and well.
66

indune1,

Canada 07/08/2008 23:30:02
70 - right on! Your comment reminds me of the brown-nosed defenders of Stalin, Kruschev, Brezhnev et al.
67

Let's have the truth,

Here 07/08/2008 23:49:35
An observation:

At least these courageous but deluded and somewhat ignorant people had the courage to protest in China whereas US president George W. Bush didn't have the guts. He had to do it from Bangkok.

Was he afraid of breaking China law and getting deported? I'd like to see that!

 

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