BLOOMINGTON – A group of Tibetans in the United States will once again bike ride for Tibet’s Independence. Jigme Norbu from Indiana and Rinpo Tenzin from Minnesota will lead eight other Tibetans from California, Chicago, and Washington, DC in this 240+ mile action. The bike ride will begin on April 20th at The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Embassy in Washington, DC and will end on April 25th at the United Nations (U.N.) in New York City.
There are two overall goals for this grueling ride. First, to strongly advocate for Tibet’s independence letting the world know that Tibetans refuse to give up their birthright to rule and live peacefully in their country. In this regard, Jigme Norbu is carrying out the firm, longstanding position of his father, Taktser Rinpoche, who for His entire life has fought for returning ALL OF TIBET to the Tibetans. The second goal of this bike ride is to loudly demand the release of the missing Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima. This ride coincides with The Panchen Lama’s 16th Birthday on April 25th. Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted by The PRC 10 years on May 17, 1995 and has been missing since then. His whereabouts and condition are unknown. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief must demand that China release Gendhun Choekyi Nyima and comply with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. China’s treatment of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, His family, Choedrel Rinpoche, and others involved in the discovery of this important spiritual leader is barbaric and reflective of a terrorist nation.
This is the second time that Jigme Norbu and Rinpo Tenzin are bike riding together. Last year at this very same time, Jigme and Rinpo led a very successful ride for Tibet’s Independence from Washington, DC to Toronto. A number of the same riders will join Jigme and Rinpo again this year. All the Tibetans on this bike ride are paying their own way to join this action. The bike ride is completely self-funded. All the Tibetans are leaving their job to stand up for Rangzen and The Panchen Lama.
You can follow this 60-mile a day independence ride by viewing pictures and reports on www.rangzen.org.
Contact: Gendin Gyatso 310-382-6069 cell
