Rangzen Means Independence: 1998 March for Tibet's Independence

The Basics

When: March 10th to April 25th, 1998 (The Panchen Lama's Birthday)

Where: Portland, Orgeon to Vancouver, British Columbia

Miles: 300+

The fourth "March for Tibet's Independence" will begin on March 10, 1998. This year we will walk from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia for about 300 miles.

This 45-day walk will end at The PRC Consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 25th. April 25th is the 9th Birthday of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, the missing Panchen Lama. We hope that 1000's of Tibet Supporters will stand with us at The PRC Consulate at the conclusion of the walk displaying Tibetan Flags and advocating for the release of the world's youngest political prisoner, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima.

We also hope that on April 25th, Tibet Supporters around the world will engage in a similar activity at appropriate locations.

The major cities along the route include: Portland, Oregon and Olympia, Tacoma, Bellevue, Seattle, Everett, and Bellingham, Washington, along with Vancouver, British Columbia.

Why Are We Walking?

Because Tibet Belongs to Tibetans
Tibet is Illegally Occupied
To Release Gendhun Choekyi Nyima
To Educate the Public About The PRC
To Promote Boycotting China's Goods
For the Tibetans in Tibet
To Advocate for Tibet, Taiwan, Southern Mongolia, & Eastern Turkestan's Independence

How To Help.

Have your organization support the walk as a co-sponsor. Last year over 75 organizations co-sponsored the walk. This year our goal is more then 100 organizations.
Assist with promotions and media coverage, including publishing an announcement of this walk in appropriate newsletters and providing a link to our website.
Walk with us for any part of the route.
Sponsor a walker. Ideally, we want more Tibetans on the walk then Westerners. The core group of walkers will be about 15 people. Thus, 8-10 Tibetans are needed. Any Tibetans that could be sponsored for all the walk or parts of the walk would be appreciated. Obviously, we welcome all and any Tibetans who can participate. Last year, groups of Tibetans joined us each weekend. This was very inspiring and we hope it will happen again. We also welcome sponsorship of Westerners who could walk for any part of the route. We estimate that a walker will need $1000 for living expenses during the entire walk.
Sponsor meals for the walkers each day ($10 per walker or $150 for all the walkers).
Walk with us on April 25th to celebrate Gendhun Choekyi Nyima's Birthday and raise awareness of His detention for the past three years.
Assist with recruiting high profile individuals (e.g., monks, nuns, entertainers, authors, scholars, religious leaders, government officials) who would be willing to walk part or all of the route (e.g., a day, weekend). We plan to bring a Tibetan Monk and Nun from India to walk with us. This will be quite expensive and we need assistance with this.
Help arrange housing (floor space is definitely OK) along the route for about 15-25 people.
Arranging presentations at educational institutions and/or community groups along the route.
Help secure a Recreational Vehicle for the entire walk.
Make a financial contribution to the International Tibet Independence Movement. The budget for this walk is $100,000.

Send Financial Contribution to:
International Tibet Independence Movement
PO Box 194
Fishers, Indiana 46038-0194
United States

We are sure other needs will arise. For now, these are the immediate concerns. For your information, we will live quite simply and we do not expect all the comforts of being at home.

Walk Schedule.
To be posted in the near future.

Major Cities & Approximate Dates In The Area
To be posted in the near future.

See A Daily Schedule
To be posted in the near future.

See A Route Map
To be posted in the near future.

Confirmed Presentations
Please help arrange presentations at educational institutions (e.g., high schools, colleges) and/or community groups (e.g., religious organizations, advocacy groups) along the route.

Join The March
We encourage you to make an effort to join us for a day, a week, a month, or the entire time. If you're considering being a part of the March, please contact us at Rangzen@aol.com or 317-579-9015 about 7 days before you wish to join the walk. You WIll be contacted on where you can meet the walkers.

What do you need to walk?

Patience and the ability to walk slow and 8-12 miles per day
A sleeping bag
Rain gear
Hiking shoes
Warm clothing
Funds for food and your personal expenses
Transportation to and from the route
Willingness to assist with chores (e.g., cook, clean, drive)

BUS SERVICE:
Greyhound Bus Lines will stop at many locations close to the route. There are no set stops. However, you can inform the driver where you would like to be dropped off. Call 1-800-231-2222 for fare and schedule information. We will do what we can to pick you up when you arrive near the route.

TRAIN SERVICE:
Call Amtrak 1-800-USA-Rail (1-800-872-7245)

Sponsors:
Have your organization support the walk as a co-sponsor. Last year over 75 organizations co-sponsored the walk. This year our goal is more then 100 organizations. Our brochure announcing the walk will go to press on December 22. If your organization would like to be a co-sponsor and included on this brochure, we will need to know by December 22, 1997.

We hope that you will support our walk and talk with other individuals about this important project. We are all very excited about continuing the "March for Tibet's Independence."

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

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