CHICAGO – The last day of the “March for Tibet’s Independence” from Indianapolis to Chicago was extremely successful. The 10 core walkers were joined by 60 additional individuals all of whom were focused on walking the last 12 miles to The PRC Consulate. Through the streets of Chicago, the group walked in one line with signs highly visible to the passing motorists. At first, we were escorted by 2 police officers on bicycle, but by the end of the day, 9 officers on bicycle and 8 on foot escorted the group through the busy Chicago streets. A light rain accompanied the walkers as well. Many Chicago motorists and pedestrians offered their support by showing the peace sign and/or honking their horn. For lunch, the 70 walkers stopped in an inner city park and snacked on Mcdonald’s while watching local ice skaters.
At a preestablished location (the Water Tower), the 70 walkers were warmly welcomed by an even larger number of Tibetans including the leaders of the Tibetan community of Chicago. After some brief welcoming remarks, the entire group began their final steps to China’s Consulate. Approximately 300 individuals of all ages participated in this final segment of the 200 mile, 11 day, “March for Tibet’s Independence.” Of this group, about 290 were Tibetans coming from Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. SFTers from Indiana University, Berea College, Indiana University-Fort Wayne, and Chicago were also in attendance along with Monks from the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington and the Indiana Buddhist Center in Greenwood, Indiana. This combination of Tibetans and supporters was quite unusual for a Tibet activity in North America. More often then not, supporters outnumber Tibetans. On this occasion, however, Tibetans overwhelmingly outnumbered supporters, affirming the leadership role of the Tibetans and the support role for the others.
At the Consulate, the demonstration began with some prayers, opening remarks by the leader of the Tibetan Association of Chicago, Tsering Chonjor, and then a riveting brief speech in Tibetan by Ngawang Norbu on behalf of Taktser Rinpoche thanking all the walkers for their dedication and passion to secure an independent Tibet. After this, Jigme Norbu (son of Taktser Rinpoche) shared some powerful thoughts about the importance of the younger generation of Tibetans continuing the Rangzen struggle, and he introduced each of the 9 other core walkers who shared some remarks and received a katak for the Tibetan Association of Chicago. Larry Gerstein shared some comments about the historic gathering in North America of more Tibetans for a Tibet action and he also acknowledged the significance of the multigenerational participation of Tibetans in ITIM’s walks and bike ride for Tibet’s Independence during the past year. Next, a Tibetan leader from Chicago read out in Chinese a powerful statement demanding the release of Tenzin Delek RInpoche and The Panchen Rinpoche, and reminding China that Tibet belongs to the Tibetans and that Tibetans will never settle for anything less. As a result of a prearranged agreement for the U.S. State Department and the Chicago police, Jigme Norbu and Larry Gerstein handed this statement to a State Department representative who met them half way across the street between the Consulate and the location of the demonstrators. This statement was then given to the Consulate.
Following this, Ms. Bunkun Wang representing the World United Formosans for Independence (WUFI) – U.S.A. shared a strong statement of solidarity with the Tibet Independence movement. Consistent with the long tradition of WUFI, Ms. Wang then offered ITIM a large colorful banner reading, “CHINA OUT OF TIBET.” Lindsey Rieger, the SFT Midwest Regional Representative then offered some powerful remarks about Tenzin Delek RInpoche and The Panchen Rinpoche. Lastly, the group sang the Tibetan National Anthem. Throughout the entire demonstration, the participants loudly and passionately chanted slogans. By the conclusion of the event, all of the attendees were soaked by the rain, but they remained firm in their desire for Rangzen, and their demands to China that it release Tenzin Delek RInpoche and The Panchen Rinpoche.
On this day, there were many representatives of the Chicago media including the local CBS affiliate. Most importantly, the walkers were also interviewed by RFA, VOA, and Voice of Tibet assuring that the Tibetans inside of Tibet would hear of the action in Chicago, and hopefully, feel inspired by their Tibetan brothers and sisters in exile.
Following the demonstration, the core walkers and most everyone else were hosted by the Tibetans of Chicago at the Tibetan Center. Along with food, there was a wonderful performance of traditional Tibetan music given by young and older Tibetans.
The core walkers and ITIM are greatly appreciative of the strong support received from the Chicago Tibetan community, the Tibetans from all over the Midwest, the Tibetan Associations around North America, all the Chapters of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, the TSGs, the Unitarian Churches, and the individuals who helped make this 1 day walk possible and hugely successful. ITIM will continue to organize walks and bike rides until Rangzen is achieved.
