The Regional Tibetan Women’s Association of New York and New Jersey (RTWA) observed the 48th anniversary of the Tibetan Women’s National Uprising Day. Two days after the Tibetan National Uprising Day in 1959, thousands of Tibetan Women marched the streets of Lhasa and protested against the occupation by the Chinese government. A number of those women were imprisoned and later tortured to death. Speaking on the occasion, RTWA President Kelsang Dolma said, “On this day, we wanted to honor those brave Tibetan Women who demonstrated against the Chinese occupation on March 12, 1959 and to the Tibetan women in Tibet and in exile who continue to fight for our country.” Today, the situation for Tibetan women in Tibet is not better than it was 48 years ago. They are continually suppressed from their cultural rights, freedom of religion, and basic social freedom.
In commemoration of this historic day, RTWA held a candle light vigil in front of the United Nations. Along with the president Kelsang Dolma, Vice-President, Nima Dolkar, and General Secretary, Tenzin C. Dharlo, read Central TWA’s statement in Tibetan and English, respectively. The tribute was concluded by peacefully marching from the United Nations onto one of the busiest avenues of New York City to the Chinese Mission. Over 250 Tibetans, both men and women, were present for the Candle Light Vigil.
The tribute and observance of March 12th, Tibetan Women’s National Uprising Day was preceded by two days of activities, Tibetan National Uprising Day and a Symposium titled “Future of Tibet”. The Tibetan National Uprising Day Rally was jointly organized by the RTWA, RTYC, Students for a Free Tibet, US Tibet Committee and the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey. President of RTWA also read RTWA’s statement in front of the United Nations. On behalf of the organizers, RTWA members prepared lunch for the marchers. The March 10th rally started from Brooklyn Bridge to the United Nations and finally to Union Square, a crowded park in the midst of New York City. RTWA passed sandwiches and bottled water at the United Nations after the crowd has walked some 8-10 miles. On March 11th a symposium with powerful speakers such as Kasur Gyalo Thondup, TYC Central’s president Kelsang Phuntsok and activist Tenzin Tsundue was organized by RTYC NY & NJ.
A dinner reception was organized in honor of Kasur Gyalo Thondup by the aforementioned three organizations. As a token of his lifelong altruistic contribution for Tibet and Tibetans, RTWA executives offered khata, ceremonial scarf to Kasur Gyalo Thondup. It was an honor to be in the presence of Kasur Gyalo Thondup, older brother of Holiness the Dali Lama, who is indeed a legend and was responsible in founding three major military establishments to lead the Tibetan freedom struggle in the 1950s and 1960s.
