Phill Bartell

A Boulder man is among four activists detained by Chinese authorities after unfurling Tibetan flags and banners, then staging a protest outside Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.

Phill Bartell, 34, a practicing Buddhist who owns the Rising Tide Tattoo shop on Pearl Street, took part in the demonstration that called for an end to Chinese occupation of Tibet. The protest came two days before the Olympics opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the stadium in Beijing.

The whereabouts of the activists are unknown, according to Students for a Free Tibet, which helped organize the demonstration.

Leading up to his arrest, Bartell recorded himself talking about his participation in the protest, saying, “I stand with the Tibetan people.”

In an audio clip provided to the Camera by Bartell’s wife, Kirsten Westby, he recorded this message: “I just wanted to say this is for all the Tibetan people, and it’s for all of the people of conscience in the world to come together and to raise the Tibetan flag at the Olympics, which is basically the flag for all human rights around the world. One world. One dream. Free Tibet 2008. It will be free. We can make it happen. The Chinese government is building a world of tyranny and problems for all ethnic groups.”

Tibet has been occupied by China since 1949.

Westby said her husband expected to be arrested and that she is proud of Bartell’s protest on behalf of Tibet while China is in the world spotlight.

Last year, Westby and four other protesters were held for 55 hours by Chinese authorities after holding a banner at the foot of Mount Everest, protesting the Chinese rule over Tibet.

She said there’s “zero tolerance” for public demonstrations or dissent.

“We were treated like terrorists who harmed the security of China,” she said.

Westby said the Chinese-run media reported Wednesday that the protesters had been released, yet she said she is skeptical because her family was told the same while she was still detained.

Tenzin Dorjee, deputy director of Students for a Free Tibet, said the group is appealing to the world to remember that “millions of Tibetans are crying out for human rights and freedom” and that there is a ruthless campaign of repression inside Tibet.

“As long as the Chinese leadership continues its brutal occupation of Tibet and refuses to meaningfully address the issue, the Chinese government will not gain the international recognition it so desperately craves,” Dorjee said in a statement.

Two of the other protesters led away by authorities are from Britain, according to Students for a Free Tibet. The other American detained is Tirian Mink, of Portland, Ore.