(<- Previous Report) March 10, 1998 (Next Report ->)

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The 1998 March for Tibet's Independence has begun!

In the Oregon rain approximately 100 people gathered in Pioneer Square for the annual March 10th Uprising Commemoration and to send off the walkers for Tibet's Independence.

Prayers were said to get the event started, speeches were read and National Anthems were sung.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's March 10 statement was read and representatives of Tibet, Taiwan and Inner Mongolia gave short talks. Unfortunately, Eastern Turkistan is unable to be represented, but the message of independence for the people of that nation will be included in all our activities.

Altanbat, representing Inner Mongolia, educated the crowd about the situation of Inner Mongolia under PRC rule. "Today in Inner Mongolia there is no freedom of speech, religion or press. Traditional songs and dances are illegal. Many prisoners of conscious are in prison including the leaders of the Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance. More than one million people have been killed since the Chinese invasion in 1947. We fully support the fair fighting of Tibetan people who are brothers and sisters of Mongolians. Our fate is the same. We shall achieve our freedom and independence without fail."

After all the praying, talking and singing (and a 15 minute coffee break) everyone lined up with flags and signs and started on down the road, 8 miles north out of Portland on route 30.

Today's walk, although gray and soggy, was enjoyed by all and as everyone lined up to catch the bus at the end of the route, wet and tired, a sense of accomplishment pervaded the group.

FOR MORE STORIES FROM THE MARCH...

International Tibet Independence Movement
PO Box 592 Fishers, Indiana 46038-0592 United States
e-mail: rangzen@aol.com