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Rochester Proclamation of Tibetan Independence Week

In the atrium of the County Executive Building, John D. Doyle, Monroe County Executive, proclaimed Tibetan Independence Week.

The proclamation reads as follows:

Office of Monroe County Executive John D. Doyle

PROCLAMATION

In 1949, the army of the People's Republic of China invaded the peaceful nation of Tibet. Since this invasion, and the subsequent occupation, the people of Tibet have been stripped of their most basic human rights, including their right to freely practice their religious beliefs.

Sadly, thousands of Tibetan Buddhist Monks and citizens have been executed at the hands of their occupiers over the past forty-eight years and the religious and political leader of Tibet, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, has been forced to live in exile.

The Tibetan Independence Movement has been kept alive from around the globe by a government in exile, headed by the Dalai Lama and loyal followers like Takster Rinpoche.

In support of the Tibetan Independence Movement and for Human Rights everywhere, I, Monroe County Executive John D. Doyle, do hereby declare the week of March 30 through April 5 1997 as:

TIBETAN INDEPENDENCE WEEK

in Monroe County, as a reflection of our support for the people of Tibet.

Supported by representatives of other religious faiths, Norbu accepted the proclamation with much enthusiasm and explained to the news cameras and those in attendance that Tibet belongs to Tibetans, and that although this is a Tibetan struggle, the help of other government, religious and community organizations and leaders is essential for the return of Tibet to Tibetans.

Those in attendance were:

Aly Nahas, Islamic Community

Debra Rosenfeld, Bahai Community

Sensei Sunya Kjolhede, Rochester Zen Center

Sensei David Sachter, Rochester Zen Center

Rev. Ann Waasdorp, Presbytery of Genesee Valley

Ms. Susan Miller, Assistant to Bishop, Episcopal Diocese

Frank Howard, Director, Drikung Kagyu Enlightenment Institute

Rev. Gordon Webster, President, GRCC

Rabbi Shamai Kanter, Temple Beth El

After the presentation all in attendance were invited into the office of John Doyle for coffee and snacks while he and Norbu engaged in a lengthy conversation touching on many issues concerning Tibet. Topics included the PRC's outright determination to eliminate Tibetans and Tibetan culture, the destruction of Buddhist temples and monasteries and the repression of religious freedoms, the PRC's alarming military proliferation, the Clinton Administration's questionable dealings with China (the room consensus seemed to be that Clinton is, sadly, more interested in making money in China rather than being concerned with human rights) and the upcoming release of three movies about Tibet: Kundun, Seven Years in Tibet and Wind Horse.

When dealing with politicians one quickly learns to be wary of the qualities of attentiveness and sincerity as they tend to be rehearsed rather than genuine, however in Doyle's case the walkers felt a hopeful amount of truthfulness in his words and actions. Rochester, a city of many multi-national corporations doing business in China like Kodak and Xerox, is a potentially dangerous place for a politician to show favor to the issue of human rights. So the March and its supporters felt a deep sense of satisfaction to stand in front of this government building, proclamation in hand and the Tibetan flag flying beautifully for all to see.

Note: When asked if the flag will fly for the entire Tibetan Independence Week a representative of Doyle answered, "Oh, Yes. In fact , we don't really plan on taking it down any time soon."

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1997 March Info | 1997 March Home

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