The third day of the Charlottesville-Washington DC march for Tibet’s independence was filled with 
some life threatening roadblocks in the form of near death experience for three marchers and another walker getting an injured forehead as he moved forward in the heavy traffic to help a fellow walker – a 6 year old Tibetan girl – maneuver her way through the bustling street.
In the first incident, a motorist lost control of his car and nearly hit straight into the three walkers when they jumped a guard rail to avoid being hit. Larry Gerstein, president of the International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM), the organiser of the march, said the incident had the the potential of killing many motorists and walkers. The second incident involved a marcher named Dorjee from Chicago who, concerned about the safety of the 6 year old girl, ran to protect her from the traffic but lost his footing and then fell face down and ended up with a split forehead. Dorjee received five stitches. The organisers said both Dorjee and the girl are doing well.
The freedom march has attracted 4 additional walkers including two young boys ages 14 and 12. The walkers has covered 18 miles. ITIM said it was grateful to the Charlottesville Tibetan community for their generous support of the walk. According to Larry, “They have fed us great food, walked with us, and served as our yaks to haul our luggage from Church to Church.”
The march will conclude in Washington DC in front of the Chinese Embassy.
