What a surprise, one of the first Olympic protests in China involves a dude from Boulder.
A Boulder man is among four activists detained by Chinese authorities after unfurling Tibetan flags and banners, then staging a protest outside of Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.
Phill Bartell, 34, a practicing Buddhist who owns Rising Tide Tattoo shop on Pearl Street, took part in the demonstration that called for an end of Chinese occupation of Tibet — two days before the Olympics opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the stadium in Beijing. The current whereabouts of the activists are unknown, according to Students for a Free Tibet, the group that helped organize the demonstration.
The Dalai Lama appears to support the Olympics.
Getting yourself arrested and attempting to embarrass China is not going to help the Tibet situation one iota. It might improve Phill Bartell’s stature among Boulderites and protest groups but that’s about it.
