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On Sunday over 35 people participated in the day's 12 mile walk into downtown including members of the Tibetan Community, University of Washington SFT members and High School Students from the NOVA school.

The twelve core members of the walking group where thrilled to see so many people join in and especially the Tibetans who walked. However, Jamyang Dorjee, President of the Tibetan Association of Washington had a valid observation also,"Well, the walk today has been good so far. A bit sad and unfortunate that not many Tibetans have come today. Being a Sunday I'm sure that not many of them have to work, but never the less it's still OK we got about 40 something people.

I'd like to have seen a lot of Tibetan kids, because they don't have school today, they could've joined us. I'm grateful to all the westerners who are here on the march. Especially the twelve people who are walking all the way. It's a tremendous thing - taking 45 days off from their regular life. Taking time off for something where there is nothing in return. It's a big cause, but the world does not see it that way, and to these twelve people - I speak on behalf of all the Tibetan community here - our heart really goes out to them. It's a big thing. We should try our best to continue the marches every year, however small it might be, to keep the hope alive. Hopefully, down the road something good will happen and they'll be more support from a lot more people and get the message through to everybody.

Being a Tibetan you feel the difference that you are a refugee. That you don't have a country. Your culture is in danger of being extinct. People talk about the Holocaust, how the Jews where sent to the gas chambers, well, it¹s almost the same here.

It's coming that is going to be the end. Then all of a sudden people are going to wake up and make movies or something, but that¹s not going to help it. You've got something to do right now, so you might as well do it. The reason why I like to see younger faces is because that is the future of a free Tibet. These are the kids who are lucky to be here in the United States seeing the free world, see how the free governments work. One day we will be the ones taking care, we hope the sooner the better. So, the younger the age to take interest the more prepared they are."

The walkers had the opportunity to offer a kata and a Tibetan flag to Ben Harper backstage as he prepared for his Seattle show on Tuesday evening. Harper performed at the 1997 Tibetan Freedom Concert. In his music and his life, Harper continues to be outspoken on issues of human and civil rights. Upon receiving his gifts, in a soft voice, he said, "I'm so honored. This flag is so beautiful that I'll have to take it with me everywhere I go. I can't just let it sit home."

In his dressing room, Ani la, with the help of Lakpa's translation, thanked Harper for his support, and explained about the suffering in Tibet and how a person like him, who has the ear of hundreds of people every night, can help make a difference for Tibet. In reply Harper said, "I feel like I can't talk enough. I talk about it, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Talking has no concrete result." Reaching over acting as if he were going to unscrew the light bulb next to the dressing room mirror he said, "I want to be able to see a result to my action. Like unscrewing a lightbulb. I wish I could do more, but I will continue to do what I can. You guys walking - you're doing it. It's a great thing you are doing. Very admirable."

ORIES FROM THE MARCH...

International Tibet Independence Movement
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