Actor Richard Gere and other friends of Tibet have begun to call for Nations to boycott the Olympic Summer Games scheduled to begin shortly in China.

China is in the process of brutally suppressing the culture, the people and the expression of Tibet. Forty-nine years ago, the Dalai Lama was forced to flee an increasingly violent occupation by China. Last week, demonstrations against the Chinese began again.

As I write this, the number of dead is growing and people are being rounded up.

I salute Gere's constant voice in favor of a free Tibet. But, the Olympics will be held regardless if a few nations boycott.

There was a call to boycott the Olympics in 1936; Jesse Owens individually thwarted Adolf Hitler's demonstration of his "Master Race."

We boycotted the Russian games in 1980, and Russia led an Eastern Bloc boycott of the Los Angeles games in 1984.

Neither boycott accomplished anything except crushing the dreams of some young athletes.

Let the games go on. A louder voice will be heard if the Olympics are attended by thousands of athletes carrying the Tibetan flag and/or pictures of the Dalai Lama.

I call on Olympic teams and individual athletes to steal what China wants to be a showpiece of its progress and make it a statement about dignity and freedom from Chinese oppression.

Imagine if the award podiums were occupied by the world's finest athletes bearing pictures of the Dalai Lama. Imagine the opening ceremonies with thousands of athletes bearing small Tibetan flags. Imagine if some of the teams had Tibetan flags sewn on their jackets and uniforms.

I ask the various teams and individual athletes to be in China's face. Nonviolently, peacefully exercise in China a freedom not enjoyed by the Chinese themselves. The precision and excellence of athletic achievement should be used to bring attention to the brutality of the host nation.

In the tradition of Mohandas K. Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandella, non-violence, non-cooperation and the capacity to forgive will overcome.

Individual citizens can show their solidarity with Tibet by boycotting everything Chinese. If it says "Made in China," leave it on the shelf.

If you have just purchased something made in China, take it back. Reason for return: It is covered with blood.

If the Dalai Lama has taught us anything, it is that individual expression is power.