CHICAGO – With weary legs but determined spirits, scores of impassioned activists from six states and more than a dozen organizations will converge on China’s Consulate in Chicago for an extensive and innovative protest on December 10, 2004. On the final leg of a 200+ mile “March for Tibet’s Independence” from Indianapolis beginning on November 30th (www.rangzen.org), Tibetans, supporters, and others engaging in their first act of political dissent will join for the remaining 12 miles through downtown Chicago to China’s Consulate. Their primary demands are that Tenzin Delek Rinpoche be spared an unjust execution, that Gendhun Choekyi Nyima (The Panchen Lama) be released immediately, and that China ends its illegal and brutal occupation of Tibet.
“For years we have protested at China’s Consulate, but the urgency and extent of this rally- held on International Human Rights Day and the 15th Anniversary of His Holiness The Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize- exceeds any previous action,” said Lindsey Rieger, sector coordinator for Students for a Free Tibet. “With the life of an innocent Monk whose only crime was to valiantly defend Tibetan culture and religion hanging in the balance, the bar has been raised and we will make sure the Midwest is a powerful voice in the global chorus for justice.”
In past weeks, activists from Warsaw to Delhi, and from New York City to Chicago have erupted in one of the most extensive outcries ever raised against the oppressive tactics that China’s government has inflicted upon the Tibetan people since they began their illegal occupation more than 50 years ago. A glaring example of their intimidation, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, was arrested in April
2002 for alleged involvement in a series of unsolved bombings in eastern Tibet. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, however, Rinpoche was denied access to lawyers, the trial was unfair, and the charges appeared to be fabricated. Currently, His death sentence is under suspension, but the countdown has begun with His reprieve expiring in January 2005.
“China plans to execute Tenzin Delek Rinpoche because they are afraid of His positive influence inside Tibet, but this is just not acceptable,” said Tsering Chonjor, President of the Tibet Alliance of Chicago. “Tens of thousands of people have mobilized around the world to tell China’s government that they must not execute Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. We are outraged, we are determined, and we will not stop until He is free.”
On December 10th at 8:30am, the leader of the “March for Tibet’s Independence,” Jigme Norbu (son of Taktser Rinpoche) will lead his fellow Core Tibetan Marchers from all over the United States, and other Tibetans and supporters to China’s Consulate. In part, Norbu is leading his fourth Walk/Ride “to fulfill His father’s 45 year, worldwide effort to peacefully return His brother, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, to His rightful place in an Independent Tibet.” The walkers will first gather at the Northeast corner of East 71st Street and South Shore Drive and will then head North up Lake Shore Drive to the Watertower where they will arrive at 1pm and be greeted by the Chicago Tibetan community. From here, the entire group will proceed to China’s Consulate (100 East Erie
Street) for a major demonstration from 2 to 5pm. Along with political theater and the chanting of slogans, there will be speeches given by representatives of the Tibetan and Taiwanese communities.
According to Professor Larry Gerstein (President, International Tibet Independence Movement), “This demonstration will coincide with 100’s of others occurring all around the world, signifying the unity and unyielding determination of the international community to secure the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.”
Gerstein also reported, “If China murders Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, it will face the wrath of a Tibetan population fed up with the genocide happening in Tibet, and disillusioned by the uncompromising policy of China’s government.”
