students for a free tibet (sft) was founded in 1994 by pro-independence tibetans, supporters, and students in new york city to use the influence of youth in order to press for human rights and independence in tibet. initially, sft's activities were focused on raising awareness amongst fellow students and young people on campuses and at events such as the 1994 lollapalooza music tour. students for a free tibet's profile and membership grew with the advent of the tibetan freedom concerts, which provided a vehicle for youth involvement in the tibetan independence movement.