Thousands in NY protest China's rule of Tibet, urge UN action

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the United Nations on Monday calling for an end to Chinese rule in Tibet, where dozens of Tibetans have set themselves on fire in recent weeks to protest China's control of their homeland.

The "Solidarity Rally for Tibet" consisted of thousands of mostly Tibetan protesters who marched from Manhattan's West Side to the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across from the UN headquarters by the East River.

The marchers repeated chants such as "We want justice, wake up UN".

Some carried posters with phrases like "UN: Tibetans need you" and others bearing photos and the names of those who have immolated themselves, such as Gonpo Tsering, who burned himself on Nov 10, and Kalsang Jinpa, who did the same on Nov 8.