“March for Tibet’s Independence” from Charlottesville to Washington, D.C.
FISHERS, Ind.- The International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM) is coordinating yet another “March for Tibet’s Independence.” This 115+ mile walk will start at 9am on June 2nd in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia near the intersection of 2nd and Water Streets. It will conclude on June 11th at 12pm with a rally in front of The People’s Republic of China’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. located at 2300 Connecticut Avenue, Northwest. The walk coincides with the 17th Anniversary of the violent suppression and massacre of Chinese citizens in Tiananmen Square.
According to Professor Larry Gerstein, President of ITIM, “This is the twelve major ‘March’ or ‘Bike Ride’ for Tibet’s Independence organized by ITIM since 1995. To date, our walkers and bike riders have covered a distance of 3,215 miles or 5,174 kilometers.”
Gerstein further stated, “Like our previous walks and bike rides, we are demanding that China grants independence for Tibet, East Turkistan, Southern Mongolia, and Hong Kong, and that it respect Taiwan’s sovereignty. We are also demanding that China immediately release Gendhun Choekyi Nyima (The Panchen Lama), Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, and other political prisoners.”
Tsewang Rigzin, ITIM Board Member, also reported, “”We are walking for Tibet’s Independence and our goal is to return His Holiness to The Potala Palace where He rightfully belongs in an Independent Tibet.”
ITIM was co-founded in 1995 by Professor Gerstein and Taktser Rinpoche, oldest brother of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. While in His 70’s, Rinpoche led a number of the early “Marches.” Since 2003, Rinpoche’s youngest son, Jigme Norbu, has participated in all the walks and bike rides. Norbu claimed, “I will once again walk to remind China and the U.S. government that Tibetans have a legal right to be the sole rulers of their own, independent country.” Tibetans and supporters from various regions of the United States will also take part in this walk.
For more information, contact Larry Gerstein (rangzen@aol.com; 317-506-2249) or Tsewang Rigzin (fight4tibet@yahoo.com; 360-213-9393).
