Ven. Palden Gyatso, 69 (south walk leader)
in exile in Dharamsala
(through a translator) : "I was in Chinese prisons for 33 years, and during
that period I had the experience -- that what is life without freedom and independence
for our country? That is why I am walking for independence, so that we can go
back to Tibet as an independent country. So that every Tibetan can have the
right to live in peace in their own country. This walk is very important to
me personally because the US Congress once passed a resolution saying that Tibet
was an occupied country which indirectly says that Tibet was an independent
country. Now it is our duty to create awareness in the American people that
Tibet is an independent country and that the government policy should be changed
back to what it was and this can be done through this kind of walk."
To the Tibetans in Tibet: "I appreciate your courage for standing against
the Chinese for so many years and also there has been a lot of sacrifice, personal
and life sacrifice from inside Tibet. There will be a time when we will be reunited
in a free Tibet and an independent country."
To the Chinese government: "You have come to Tibet to destroy our culture,
to destroy the Tibetan identity, but this cannot be carried out in the long
term. You have also come and invaded our country on the pretext of liberating
Tibet from feudalism and you have violated many internaitonal norms and laws.
Since there is a law in the world one day there will be a very fair judgment
in favor of the Tibetan people."
Julie Cicada Crow, 47 (both walks)
Indianapolis
Secretary of ITIM, coordinator of the entire walk
"I am walking because I have benefitted greatly from getting to know Tibetan
people --which originally started with wanting to learn about Dharma and having
Tibetans teach me about Tibetan Buddhism. I just felt like as a Buddhist and
an American who believes in freedom and democracy and justice that it was my
responsibility to help them to get attention and be a support in their desire
to regain their country. So I looked at what I could do and I'm not a rich person
or a powerful person but I can walk and I can carry a sign. Also for me it's
a pilgrimage, particularly because we've chosen to involve the visit of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama, so for me itŐs a very spiritual journey."
To the Tibetans in Tibet: "They are not forgotten, there are many many
people out here advocating for them. I will personally make it my responsibility
to tell people the truth about China and not to stop telling the truth. For
those who believe the propoganda from the PRC, I will in a very positive way
try to engage those people in dialogue and encourage them to question what they've
been taught."
To the Chinese: "The people of China have been abused by their government.
I think they've been exploited and mistreated, I know a lot of them fervently
believe what they've been told by their government and I feel great compassion
for them. I support Harry Wu and his efforts and all the Chinese pro-democracy
activists."
Ava Park, 45 (south walk)
Irvine, CA
"I am walking because I'm interested in stamping out oppression for all
living beings, animals and humans alike. It's a commitment to stop the daily
activity of life and focus on what I believe is truly important. I've run an
animal rights group for many years and I met members of Orange County Friends
of Tibet when we co-hosted a visit by the sister of His Holiness Miss Jetsun
Pema. And I''ve been a Buddhist for a long time."
To Tibetans in Tibet: "Keep hoping, the universe is unfolding as it should."
To the Chinese government:"Get the hell out of Tibet!"
Benjamin Cox, 30-something (north walk)
Indianapolis
Director of ITIM, leader of the north walk, writer for the north walk page
Jeff Napier, (both walks)
Member at Large, ITIM. Driver, troublemaker. Propaganda spreader.
Charette Francesca Hubbard, 20 (south walk)
NYC
"I am walking because I want a free and independent Tibet. I think this
will bring a lot of awareness to people who probably have no idea about Tibet
or know very little about Tibet and I think that's an amazing thing. It's very
intense because the Tibetan people are struggling nonviolently and I think that's
very commendable, it's something that can help a lot of other causes once Tibet
is free."
To Tibetans in Tibet: "Keep on truckin,' Tibet will be free."
To the Chinese: "I hope one day you guys can be free too."
c
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Yeshi (north walk)
Courtney "Courtland" Russin, 20 (south walk)
Maryland
"I have done a lot of stuff for the Tibetan independence movement but I
was feeling like I wanted to tap into a larger group, to be connected with the
larger cause. I wasn't feeling effective raising awareness at my college and
in my town which is what I did all through high school and college. This seemed
like a really great way to raise awareness. I knew I'd meet amazing people.
It's been a pretty moving experience. It's made me more motivated to keep working
for this cause and its also really nice to see adults living lives as activists
and devoting their lives to it, it's inspiring and it's a realistic goal to
have. Now I feel like independence for Tibet is a more realistic goal. From
what I had heard it was just not a realistic goal but now my confidence is up
about that."
To Tibetans in Tibet: "You are definitely not alone, there are people out
here working for you and thinking about you every day, please don't give up
hope, don't feel isolated and disconnected becauuse we're all out here thinking
abuot you all the time."
To the Chinese government: "Your priorities are very out of wack beacuse
you value economic development and political power are above human rights.
To the Chinese people: "Open your minds . . . "
Ani Pachen (north walk)
Ani Kelsang Palmo, 35 (north walk)
from Tibet, in exile in Dharamsala
(through a translator) "There are no human rights in Tibet. I am trying to garner
support for the Tibetan people from US government. In Tibet I was imprisoned,
and there is no way to tell my story in Tibet because of the restrictions on
freedom of speech. Here you get to meet lot of people and are exposed to media
attenton and able to say what you have suffered through."
To the Tibetans in Tibet: "Youth and elders in Tibet are aware of the distinction
between Tibetans and Chinese.They have voiced indignation at occupation many
times. Keep on doing that and we will keep supporting you."
To the Chinese: "The truth is with us Tibetans and China should realize that.
It is justice and truth we are talking about. The Chinese should negotiate with
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and come to a peaceful solution."
Sara Bender, 30 (south walk)
Stockholm, Sweden
Mike Kirages, 37 (both walks)
Charleston, South Carolina
Namgyal Tsering Shallung, 24 (both walks)
born in Tibet, raised in Dharamsala, India, living in Chicago
"I am marching for the independence of Tibet and for the release of the young
Panchen Lama. This is a personal and meditative journey for me, and also on
a larger scale a journey to create awareness on the situation of Tibet -- to
let Americans know about the Chinese presence in Tibet."
"I would like to let the Tibetans in Tibet know that we are always with them
and we will never forget what they are going through. They will always have
our support."
To the Chinese: "Tibet is our country. The Chinese and the Tibetans are two
different people."
Tenzin Gyaltsen, 67(north walk)
in exile in Portland, Oregon
"I want to free the Panchen Lama and I want him to get a good education. He
is a very high lama, and all Tibetan people need him to have good education.
He can show a better way to all Buddhist people."
To the Chinese: "All the world is pressuring them so they'd better listen. All
the world is looking at them."
Pema Lhundup, 41 (both walks)
in exile in Dharamsala, India
General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress
"With this walk, we can create awareness with the American people about Tibet.
More importantly, we are trying to tell the American people about the actual
status of Tibet, that it was an independent country. The walk is organized by
ITIM who have always stood for complete independence, so I think this march
is releveant to our organization (TYC) as well as to me."
To Tibetans in Tibet: "They are very high in spirit and I would like to tell
them to keep their spirits intact. One day we'll regain independence and be
united again."
To the Chinese: "Understand the real position of Tibet, then hand over Tibet
to the Tibetans."
Tsewang (north walk)
Karma Tsewang, age unknown (both walks)
a Tibetan from Nepal, living in Oakland, CA
"I am marching for Tibetan independence, because I am a Tibetan, man!"
To the Tibetans inside Tibet: "There are not only Tibetans indside Tibet trying
to get independence, we are trying too from our side. There are a lot of people
trying to get independence!"
To the Chinese : "We want to be happy in our own country."
Karma Wangchok, 40 (north walk)
in exile, presently living in Chicago
"I am walking for Tibetan independence because being a Tibetan I feel it is
my moral duty to be in this march."
To the Tibetans in Tibet: "We are doing as much as we can to support them and
to free them from the Chinese government."
To the Chinese: "Free Tibet!"
Autumn Windsong Fritz, 12 (both walks)
Olympia, WA
"The Tibetan situation is really awful and I am trying to do as much as I can
at home to create awareness. Walking 525 miles does a lot to create awareness
and reaches a lot more people than I can from Olympia.This is one of the worst
things that could be going on to human beings and if I could help change that
it would be an amazing experience."
To Tibetans in Tibet: "The Chinese government is really awful and I hope the
situation is resolved and there will be independence for Tibet again."
To the Chinese: "Back off, leave Tibet be."
Erica Hagen, 22 (South Walk)
Portland, Oregon
Photographer and writer for the south walk page
Timothy Allen Stone, 34 (south walk)
Escondido, CA
"I am on this walk because I believe that as the Native American community
so many years ago lost their land so are the Tibetan people losing their lands
today. It means that I get to do something for another country for people who
are like my own ancestors -- something I was never able to do for them. I got
involved in the Tibetan cause because my wife is Buddhist and she has raised
my awareness of the Tibetan plight. I don't like to see history repeat itself."
To the Tibetans in Tibet: "There is always hope. As long as we're walking
for you there's always hope.
To the Chinese governement: "Let Tibet alone, they've been in their own
nation for many millenia."
Janelle (north walk)
Kathy (north walk)
"The White Van" (north walk)
"The Blue Van"(north walk)
