April 25, 2000
First day of the March for Tibet's Independence 2000!
Before setting out across San Francisco¹s Golden Gate Bridge, the first day of the March for Tibet¹s Independence 2000 appropriately began with a prayer led by Venerable Yishe Topden, President of the Gu Chu Sum Ex-Political Prisoners Movement.
Topden offered Den Tsik Munlama prayer to end the suffering of all sentient beingsas the crowd of 75, comprised mostly of the Bay Area Tibetan Community, recited with him.
As the sun shone brightly on the crowd still gathering on the north side of the bridge, Tsewang Migyur Khangsar, Vice-President of the Tibetan Association of Northern California, called for one-minute of silence in memory of those who have died for the cause we were continuing today. Then the Tibetan National Anthem rang out with pride through the warm morning air. We yelled slogans such as FREE TIBET! and RELEASE THE PANCHEN LAMA NOW!, energizing the crowd before groups of 25 set out across the bridge with flags rolled and signs stowed in the vehicles for safety reasons.
Kriss Worthington, Berkeley Councilmember, led the first group across the bridge. Also leading were Topden; Venerable Lobsang, Western Monk; another monk; Ani Pachen, Tibetan Nun and 23-year political prisoner; Ani Pelmo, Tibetan Nun; Pema Lhundup, General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress in India; and the balance of the core walkers. As we crossed the bridge a meditative silence fell over the walkers, which was only interrupted by the sounds of bicyclists yelling "On your left!" and the mixed droning of cars and ocean.
The power of beginning such an event in such a place filled the soul.
Media coverage began even before we set out on the bridge, but probably the best call of the day came about half-way across. A reporter from the Sing Tao Daily, the largest Chinese daily newspaper in the Bay Area, called and kept me on the phone for more than 20 minutes. His questions ran the gamut. I thought to myself that if we had no other media contact, our public relations efforts had been a success. Day two of the walk revealed a large spread on the front page of the metro section, complete with four photographs. Another Chinese daily ran a small inside story. A local Chinese television also gave us coverage. They know what we¹re up to.
Many other media found us throughout the day too, including CBS, a radio station, and another small newspaper or two Š happy day.
Once across the bridge we regrouped and listened to a speech from Councilmember Worthington, wishing us success in our endeavor. Now the grouped had grown to more than 150.
Then we set off through the woods of the Golden Gate Park and along the waterfront still quiet. Tsewang suggestion was to save our voices, because it wouldn¹t do us much good to yell at the sand, wind and water.
Moving up into the city and towards the financial district the group began to become disjointed as traffic lights broke up the flow. Soon one police car was following along, asking where we were going and so forth. A quick request for a police escort was honored rather quickly. And soon, we were causing traffic jams what a joy that can be and we were one again bringing on the sound of slogans for Tibet against China Š loud as can be.
Fortunately the sounds of horns were most often from passersby showing support for the cause. People on the street also showed their support by shouting, bowing with hands together, giving the thumbs up and other similar gestures.
On into the financial district. Slogans reverberating off the skyscrapers. People ducking out of the way. We rocked through the heart of San Francisco¹s business district.
Almost exactly at noon we reached city hall, our numbers reaching more than 200. We continued yelling our slogans, causing a bit of a ruckus, and grabbing people¹s attention.
After resting, speeches were given by Carolyn Bartholomew, District Director and Counsel for Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, and Jesús Vargas, Staff Member of Congressman Tom Lantos¹ officeas media members milled about, grabbing interviews from many in attendance. The Chinese media raised poignant questions. We replied with pride.
Bartholomew offered strong words in support of Tibet. And called for the release of the Panchen Lama, noting that it was his 11th Birthday and five years of captivity is just too long. Vargas¹ (FULL TEXT OFFERED IN SIDEBAR) speech was even stronger, delineating China¹s wrongs and requesting immediate negotiations between China and His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
Next came Lhundup, again speaking out for the Panchen Lama and Tibet¹s full independence from China.
A short walk
took us to our final destinationthe Chinese Consulate, some 9.5 miles
from where we began. Once again the fun begins. 
A good 30 minutes of slogan smashing let those inside know we were there. Visa seekers looked on nervously as they came in and out of the consulate doors.
Vargas offered his speech again for the benefit of the consulate and the People¹s Republic of China it was important for them to know where Lantos stood on the Chinese-Tibetan issue.
Topden was called upon again to lead us in the same all-encompassing prayer from the morning. Then came the national anthem, also to benefit the PRC. More slogans. More slogans.
All agreed that the first day of the march couldn¹t have been a bigger success. We had some 200 participants, most coming from the Bay Area Tibetan Community, politicians and media attention.
The walk has begun.
Thank you to the Tibetan Association of Northern California. Thank you to the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress. Thank you to the Bay Area Friends of Tibet. And thank you to the Bay Area Tibetan Community. It wouldn¹t have happened without you!
FREE TIBET!
Jesús Vargas, a staff member of Congressman Tom Lantos¹s office, addressed the crowd during the rally outside of San Francisco¹s City Hall. He also re-stated his speech outside of the Chinese consulate to "go on record" for the People¹s Republic of China.
I must begin by saying that I consider it a great honor to address such an audience like yourselves. It is truly admirable for you to be concerned and active for a cause as importantŠas nobleŠand as crucialŠas the cause for which we are all here today.
When visitors arrive in Tibet, they may notice something unusualŠsomethingŠnot quite right. Sunset begins at about 10 p.m. Why is this? This absurdity can be attributed to the fact that by law, Tibet¹s clocks are set to match Bejing¹s clocksŠsome 2,000 miles east.
This anomaly is emblematic of manyŠmore serious acts of subjugationŠthat the government of the People¹s Republic of China has committed against the Tibetan people.
Repressive social and political policies limit the fundamental freedoms of Tibetans. These policies are undermining Tibet¹s unique cultural, religious and linguistic heritage.
Our very own
U.S. State Department¹s human rights reports have documented several
facts:
the tortureŠ
the arbitraty arrestŠ
and the detentionŠ
of Tibetans engaged in the PEACEFUL, NON-VIOLENT expression of political
and religious views.
Monasteries being taken over by armed soldiers, and the deaths of many nuns and dmonksŠas part of what the central government calls, a "re-education" policy.
A continued ban on pictures, MERE PICTURES, of the Dalai Lama exists today.
These have all been part of a repressive overarching policy directed against ethnic Tibetans.
Every vestige of Tibetan Culture has been systematically attacked by the central government.
We stand here today, and we urge Š we demandŠthe Chinese central government to engage in reason.
We urge the government to engage in a dialogue with His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his representatives, in order for Tibetans to be granted the autonomy they deserve. AND HAVE A RIGHT TO.
Chinese authorities have defended their policies in the name of "Maintaining stability."
But, as President Clinton has stated "China cannot purchase stability at the expense of freedom."
The potential for instability is GREATER in a region where that region¹s MAJORITY POPULATION is denied fundamental rights.
Such is the case in Tibet. It is in the best interest of the Chinese government to engage in a constructive dialogue with Tibet¹s government in exile and in their best interests to immediately cease the implementation of policies that are oppressing the Tibetan people.
I believe it is with some sorrow that we are here, having to acknowledge over four decades of mistreatment of one of the world¹s most respected peoples. But we can find joy in the fact that the people of Tibet have survived.
They continue their struggle today and the number of friends joining them, as we can see here today, is growing.
This struggle may be long and difficult, but ultimately it will be successful.
International
Tibet Independence Movement
PO Box 592 Fishers, Indiana 46038-0592 United States
e-mail: rangzen@aol.com
Why
Independence? | Why
is Tibet Important? | What
Can I Do? | Archive
Links | Important
Addresses | Merchandise
| E-Mail
Asian
Map
