By Tsering Yangzom, Globe Correspondent
NORWOOD July 31 – Carrying the flags of their countries, a group of 17 Tibetan and American supporters will today begin the second day of their 240-plus mile ”March for Tibet’s Independence.”
The march started yesterday from the State House in Boston and will resume this morning from Dean Street, right off Providence Highway, and follow the highway to Wrentham.
The group embarked on a journey of nonviolence — walking every day for an average of 16 miles for two weeks — with plans to arrive for a rally in front of the United Nations building and the Chinese Embassy in Manhattan by noon on Aug. 13. The entire route will be along US 1 from Boston to New York.
Palden Gyatso, 74, author of ”The Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk,” is the oldest of the group. Reached by phone through an interpreter last week, Gyatso explained, ”I spent 33 years in Chinese prison and all those years, I’ve struggled for Tibet’s independence and never gave up hope. . . . I urge China to listen to The Dalai Lama and have a dialogue, compensate each other’s views and interests.”
After his release from prison in 1992, Gyatso escaped to India and wrote his memoir. He now lives in Dharamsala, India, seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
”Our goal is to return Tibet back to the Tibetans and to advocate for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southern Mongolia and Eastern Turkistan’s independence,” said Larry Gerstein, president of the International Tibet Independence Movement, who coordinated this walk along with the Tibetan communities in Boston, New York, and New Jersey.
Boston was chosen as a starting location because the previous 10 marches never came through the state.
The youngest among the group is a 13-year-old boy, Tashi Dorjee, from Connecticut. Reached by phone last week at summer camp, Dorjee said, ”My grandparents are from Tibet and they would often tell me stories of Tibet. I’m walking for Tibet.” With support from his family, he declared, ”I’ll do my best.” The group will begin each day with morning prayers, distribute fliers and interact with passersby as they walk, and in the evenings they have speaking engagements. They will sleep in local temples, churches, and friends’ homes.
”I am happy to talk to anyone about the situation of Tibet inside and outside,” Gyatso said.
”I’m healthy and well. And even if I’m not well, with my determination and courage, I’ll cross the finish the line.”
