Bombala Times, Australia: Global Human Rights Torch Relay Welcomed to Town

(Clearwisdom.net) At the welcome point on the main street, Banjo and the Boys of Nimmitabel played a few numbers as the torch approached. The State Coordinator of the Relay, Andrew Toirkens, provided background on what the torch campaign is all about.

A former local of Bombala, Andrew explained that the Human Rights Torch Relay is an international campaign that seeks to put human rights on the Beijing Olympic agenda. He explained that the global relay calls for an end to all human rights violations supported by the Chinese regime, including the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, amongst many other minority groups.

The music then continued as local Catholic Priest Mick MacAndrew proudly carried the Global Human Rights Torch up the main street of Bombala, accompanied by Australian Ambassador for the relay, and former Olympian, Jan Becker.

As they arrived Father Mick presented the torch to Council Mayor Bob Stewart, who gratefully accepted it, and thanked Andrew and his team for bringing the torch to Bombala. Mayor Stewart expressed just how hard it is for the people of our free area to comprehend the ongoing violations of human rights in China, but that he was pleased that the community had this opportunity to show its concern and add its support to the cause.

Mayor Stewart wished the Torch Relay all the very best in its endeavor to raise awareness and force action on the issue. Andrew expressed his high opinion of Bombala, and spoke of how the community's participation could make a difference.

Ms. Becker spoke next, outlining her travels with the torch relay and its role as a symbol of the world trying to help the Chinese people regain their human rights. She spoke of the horrendous persecution taking place against a number of groups in China, and why it is so important that the International Olympic Committee force the government to live up to its 2001 promise to stop it.

Following a moving song written and performed by Gary Hastie titled "Torch of Human Rights," Father Mick MacAndrew made his address, speaking of the Olympic spirit and the value of human life: "This small campaign to challenge the evils of the Communist Chinese Government is not directed at the athletes, or any country that will participate in next year's games. It is aimed at informing us all as to the challenges that go with the Olympic Games, that there is always going to be, in every generation of human life, the challenge of battling anything that devalues life and individual dignity. It is up to us to always reject anything that would not respect and value human life, that goes against the ideals of the Olympic Games."

Mayor Stewart then passed the Global Human Rights Torch over to the next runner, who would be taking it on to Batlow, Newcastle, and Terrigal, before it moves on to New Zealand and Africa.
With Banjo and the Boys getting the crowd into a sing-a-long of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (Glory, Glory Hallelujah), Andrew then gave his thanks to the various sectors of the community that had offered the Human Rights Torch Relay support, and the torch continued on its global journey.

http://bombala.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/global-human-rights- torch-relay-welcomed-to-town/1148145.html