About 2000 Tibetans turned on to attend the protest march from the UN to the Chinese Consulate to show their solidarity with the ongoing TYC led Tibetan People’s Mass Movement in New Delhi. Tibetans as far away as Amherst, MA came to show their solidarity. There were bus loads of Tibetan representatives from Boston, Philidelphia and Connecticut.
The park in front of the UN was instantly turned into a colorful atmosphere with various banners like “Boycott Beijing 2008 Olympics”, “No Freedom, No Olympics”, “Free Tibet”, “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet”.
The day started around 1.00PM with the RTYC led Post Card writing campaign. The post cards are mailed to the various IOC offices around the World requesting to meet the demands of the Tibetan People’s Mass Movement. Free T-Shirts with the message of “Boycott Olympics” were distributed to the demonstrators.
The president of the RTYC NY&NJ, Mr. Tsering Palden explained to the strong crowd their reason of gathering today is because of the Chinese Authorities’ refusal to respond to the demands of the Tibetan People’s Mass Movement in their first two phases. He showed to the crowd a certified letter addressed to the Chinese Embassy, bearing a delivery failure stamp due to refusal by the addressee. The fact that they can’t even open the letter shows their fear, weakness and untruthfulness.
SFT representative, Mr. Kala said though he is not a Tibetan, but his heart beats for Tibetans.He explained the paradox nature of the Chinese building the Great Wall of China to protect them from the invader and now they themselves had invaded Tibet. SFT members had placed a huge banner calling “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008” on the Great Wall of China. At the same time, he informed that their Director Lhadon was in Chinese custody for a while and was just flown to Hong Kong.
A young RTYC executive member Miss Noryang spoke about the importance of this Mass Movement. She called upon every body’s contribution to this movement in their own capacity.
Mr. Ngawang Norbu from ITIM read their statement to the public.
Mr. Thupten , a representative from Philadelphia told that Tibetans in his area had formed a special sub committee to assist Tibetans in his locality to participate in the Mass Movement. He called upon the Tibetans never to forget the fight for Freedom.
The guest speaker for the occasion Mr. Karma Gyatso Zurkhang provided us with the up to date information received from the various sources closed to Runggye Adak. He also wished that the Chinese Authorities and IOC meet the demands without having to lose the precious lives of the14 Hunger Strikers. All in all, his speech was very inspiring and informative and the crowd listened very attentively.
The crowd then started marching toward the Chinese Consulate through Time Square, one of the busiest streets in the World. New Yorkers as well as tourists in huge numbers supported the rally and shouted slogans along with the Tibetans. The built up of the crowd was so huge that the City Authorities had to fly a chopper to monitor the movement.
Then at the Chinese Consulate, the crowd wanted to show their strong anger and shouted furiously at the Chinese Consulate making the Chinese folks nervous.
There, Geshe Tenpa la explained to the crowd how Runggye Adrak rose up to the stage during a horse racing festival and asked the crowd if they are with him for an early return of the Dalai lama, release the Panchen Lama and release Tulku Tenzin Delek. The whole crowd responded positively to Runggye’s call. According to Geshe Tenpa la, Runggye stressed the importance of unity among the Tibetans.
There was a heavy barrage of slogan, so intense that one of the RTYC executive members Ven. Sonam Wangdue fainted for a brief moment. This was then followed by an appeal speech by the Jt. Secretary Sonam Wangchuk of the RTYC. He told the crowd the giant clock in Tianamen square is ticking the Olympic countdown time. At same time, another clock is ticking. And that is the clock of Tibetan People’s Mass Movement. Each Olympic has its own defining moments. The 2008 Beijing Olympics will also have a defining moment, which will be the Tibetan People’s Mass Movement.
The crowd again continued with their slogans for some time. And then another executive member of the RTYC, Mr. Sonam Wangdue explained his experience of being on a hunger strike. He was one of the hunger striker in Italy in 2006.
A word of thanks was given by the VP Pema Gyalpo.
It was very inspiring to see such a big crowd on a week day. Tibetans and supporters took the day off from their busy schedule and recognized the importance of this historic day. It was hot grueling day in New York but it didn’t defy the crowds. We are confident that this movement will move forward and produce positive results.
Bhod Gyalo.
Report prepared by RTYC NY & NJ
www.tibetanyouthcongress.us
