At Amsterdam's Dam Square, exiled Tibetans and international democracy activists unite to assert independence
By Voice of Anti-CCP | March 10, 2026
On the afternoon of March 10, 2026, Dam Square in Amsterdam was shrouded in spring rain. This plaza, which once witnessed the prosperity of global trade, once again became a place where freedom is proclaimed. Approximately three to four hundred participants—primarily Tibetans living in the Netherlands, international supporters, pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong, and dissidents from various regions of China—gathered here to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Tibetan people's uprising in Lhasa in 1959. This rally not only became a focal point of international attention but also reached hundreds of thousands of users on social media, sending a clear signal to the world: Tibet's call for independence has never died, and it is increasingly gaining support that transcends ethnicity and national borders.
Official News Agency Reports and International Organization Support
The Dutch official news agency ANP published a report on March 9 titled 'Tibet ontdekt op wereldkaart uit 1655 in het Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam' (Tibet Discovered on 1655 World Map in Amsterdam's Royal Palace), detailing the significance of the 1655 historical map displayed at the rally. The report quoted Wangpo Tethong, Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet Europe: "This discovery is very important. We did not expect to find in the Netherlands such a map that so prominently displays 'Tibet.' We were absolutely surprised."
Almost simultaneously, the prestigious global human rights organization Human Rights Watch published a commentary article on March 9 titled 'Don't Forget Tibet on Anniversary of 1959 Lhasa Uprising,' emphasizing the urgency of the Tibet issue and pointing out that China's recent repression of Tibet continues—including the detention of Tibetans for peaceful protests and opposition to dam construction.
The Kashag (the exiled Tibetan government) released an official statement on March 10 that documented in detail the systematic oppression facing contemporary Tibet: approximately one million Tibetan children have been forcibly sent to colonial-style boarding schools where Tibetan language instruction is severely restricted; approximately 3.3 million Tibetans—nearly half of Tibet's total population—have been affected by forced resettlement and labor transfer programs; the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has identified the Chinese government's 'Sinicization of Tibetan Buddhism' policy as 'systematic cultural genocide.'
Yellow Stage and Snow Lion Flags Flutter
The first thing that caught everyone's attention at the scene was a yellow stage vehicle parked in the center of the square, positioned directly behind Amsterdam's Royal Palace—a choice that was anything but accidental. Behind the stage was a large Tibetan Snow Lion flag, with dozens of small national flags suspended above it. The ANP report particularly emphasized this sight, noting that it demonstrated the Netherlands' long-standing recognition of Tibet as an independent entity.
Most striking was a four-to-five-meter-high English poster on the left side of the stage, with the title boldly proclaimed—'Tibet since 1655 in The Netherlands.' This poster not only displayed a world map created in 1655 but also detailed its historical significance: this magnificent map (approximately 6.3 meters in diameter) designed by architect Jacob van Campen for Amsterdam's City Hall was based on the work of Joan Blaeu, the most influential Dutch cartographer of the 17th century. Back in that era, 'Tibet' already appeared on the world map in a clear and recognizable manner—long before China attempted to replace this name with 'Xizang.'
The ANP report emphasized the geopolitical significance of this discovery: "At a time when Tibet's status as an independent nation is being denied by China, this 17th-century Dutch map proves that Tibet was clearly recognized as an independent entity centuries ago. Historical facts cannot be erased."
Unified Voices from Multiple Ethnic Groups: From Tibet to Inner Mongolia and Kwangsi
The diversity of speakers on stage was itself newsworthy. Laila Tara Schumann, a representative of the International Campaign for Tibet Europe, alternated between Dutch and English to recount the story of Lhamo Tso, a Tibetan mother—her husband, documentary filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, was imprisoned for six years after producing a documentary about the true situation of Tibetan people. In her speech, Schumann emphasized that such human rights violation cases are not isolated incidents but evidence of systematic oppression.
Nyima Rinchen Dorjee, Chair of Students for a Free Tibet the Netherlands, spoke on behalf of the younger generation, detailing the escalating human rights crisis in Tibet over the past year. He pointed out that events of the past year demonstrate that suffering has not only continued but intensified in many ways—from Tibetan singer Akyong's imprisonment for dedicating a song to the Dalai Lama, to China's environmental destruction on the Himalayas (fireworks polluting the highlands), to plans to build a massive dam forcing Tibetan communities to relocate.
Most symbolically significant were the speakers from Southern Mongolian, Cantonia, and Kwangsi independence movements. Elbereltu Borjigin, a human rights activist from the Southern Mongolian Congress, pointed out that over 79% of Inner Mongolia's population has been replaced by Han Chinese, and Mongolian language schools are being forcibly converted to Chinese language schools. Jiang Peikun, a dissident from Cantonia, compared the 'disappearance' of Cantonese with the fate facing Tibetan language, calling both manifestations of the CCP's 'cultural colonialism.' Wei Zhijian, an activist from the Kwangsi independence movement, shouted at the rally: 'Tibet independence, Inner Mongolia independence, Hong Kong independence, Cantonia independence, Kwangsi independence'—a united declaration of multi-ethnic oppressed peoples.
The Convergence of Chinese Democracy Movements: From Personal Awakening to Collective Resistance
After the rally, Voice of Anti-CCP conducted interviews with participating Chinese democracy activists, conversations that deeply reflect why an increasing number of dissidents from various regions of China view the Tibet issue as their own problem. Yu Yang, an anti-CCP activist from Anhui, put it simply: 'I support Tibetan independence because I believe the cultures and religions of different ethnic groups deserve respect.' Liu Bowen, a democracy activist from Hubei, described the feeling of shouting in the crowd 'We want freedom,' 'Long live the Dalai Lama,' 'Tibet belongs to Tibetans'—'deeply felt everyone's shared pursuit of freedom, human rights, and justice.'
Hao Wangyong, an anti-CCP activist from Gansu, offered even more symbolic reflections. He placed Dam Square alongside Lhasa, noting that 'although the Netherlands and Tibet are geographically distant, the longing for freedom is a universal human language.' Rao Xing, a former armed police officer and democracy activist from Fujian who has 'awakened from the CCP's military brainwashing,' said that participating in this Tibet commemoration was a way to walk alongside Tibetans in shared values that transcend ethnicity. Du Binghui, an anti-CCP activist from Henan, summarized the core demands of rally participants: stop forced assimilation policies, respect religious freedom, protect basic human rights, and explicitly stated 'opposition to the CCP's colonial rule over Tibet.'
Additionally, Liu Hua, the protagonist of the documentary 'The Woman Under the Little Ghost,' also came to support the Tibetan people at the rally. This documentary previously exposed the atrocities of the Liaoning Masanjia Re-education Labor Camp. Liu Hua called on everyone at the scene to unite, resist transnational repression, and bravely speak the truth.
Global Synchronous Commemoration and Social Media Transmission
The International Campaign for Tibet emphasized in its global action call that commemorative activities on March 10 took place simultaneously around the world. In addition to Amsterdam, cities like Brussels, Washington DC, and New Delhi held similar rallies and protests on the same day. This global synchronicity enhanced the momentum of the movement.
On social media, related hashtags such as #FreeTibet, #StandWithTibet, #TibetanUprisingDay, and #March10Tibet were used extensively during March 10-12. Rally participants uploaded photographs, speech clips, and placards from the scene, showcasing the multilingual and multi-ethnic nature of participation, reaching hundreds of thousands of online users worldwide.
A 407-Year-Old Testimony: The 1655 Map
The most unique element of this rally was undoubtedly the 1655 world map. This is not merely a historical artifact but powerful testimony to contemporary geopolitical disputes. The ANP report explained in detail that this map was a product of 17th-century Amsterdam's role as the world's premier trade center, representing the geographical knowledge of European intellectual circles of that era. On the map, 'Tibet' is clearly marked as an independent geographical entity, not incorporated into any 'China.'
This discovery is of significant importance to international support for contemporary Tibetan independence claims. When the CCP attempts to delete the word 'Tibet' from maps, textbooks, and even search engine results, replacing it with 'Xizang,' the 407-year-old Dutch map serves as a mirror, reflecting what historical truth actually is. Wangpo Tethong, Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet, emphasized in the ANP report: 'This 17th-century map reminds us that Tibet's independent status is not a modern invention but a historical fact.'
Placards and Visual Declarations
Participants held white placards with concise yet powerful messages: 'TIBETAN LIVES MATTER,' 'TIBET BELONGS TO TIBETAN,' 'STOP CULTURAL GENOCIDE IN TIBET,' 'MARCH 10: REMEMBER, RESIST, RECLAIM,' and 'CHINA: HANDS OFF TIBET'S ENVIRONMENT.'
Chinese democracy activists and representatives from Guangdong and Guangxi independence movements carried their respective flags—the Tibetan Snow Lion flag, the flag of Voice of Anti-CCP, the Southern Yue independence flag, and the Guangxi independence flag. In that moment, beneath Amsterdam's spring rain, multiple different independence calls flew side by side on the same square, composing a visual declaration: overthrowing CCP rule is not merely a Tibetan dream but a shared pursuit of all oppressed peoples.
Postscript: History is Accelerating
The Dam Square rally on March 10, in terms of scale, may not make the headlines of mainstream international media. Yet its significance far exceeds the number of participants. This event marked three important transformations:
First, the deepening internationalization of Tibet's independence demands. No longer merely the voice of overseas Tibetan communities, it is increasingly becoming the shared position of a multi-ethnic anti-totalitarian coalition. The timely support from the International Campaign for Tibet, Human Rights Watch, and other international organizations confirms this trend.
Second, the renewed recognition of the importance of historical evidence. The 1655 map is not merely a museum piece but a powerful weapon in real political debate, proving the historical reality of Tibet's independent status. The ANP report brought this discovery to a much broader European and international audience.
Third, the divisions within the Chinese democracy movement are being healed. Dissidents from Anhui, Fujian, Hubei, Gansu, and Henan found common ground on the Tibet issue, suggesting that future anti-CCP coalitions may no longer center on Han democracy movements but become a multi-ethnic, multi-regional alliance.
Tibet shall be free. Freedom shall prevail.
【Editor's Note】
Information sources for this article include: Dutch official news agency ANP report (March 9, 2026), International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) official statement, Human Rights Watch (HRW) commentary article, Kashag (Tibetan government-in-exile) statement of March 10, and interviews with rally participants (Voice of Anti-CCP).
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