(<- Previous Report) March 21, 1998 (Next Report ->)

Back to start

On March 20, the marchers gave a presentation at Vader Elementary School. Kindergarten through sixth grade students where present to hear the story of the Panchen Lama, a Mongolian children's song and a little bit about Tibet from a Tibetan nun.

The route of the walk parallels Interstate 5 on smaller highways and country road sometimes crossing over the interstate. The walkers stood here for a few minutes holding up their signs and flags to honks and waves of the speeding motorists.

Most of the walking days so far have been unusually warm and sunny, so the chilly gloom and drizzle of today, the 21st and the first day of spring, was more along the lines of normal for the Northwest region. It also brought out the worms which Ani la began picking up and placing off the path of the many feet behind her.

Matt from Salt Lake City, Utah has been walking since March 11. Today was his last day until he returns to us again at the end of April. "When I first decided to plan my life so that I could join the walk I was thinking that the experience would be about giving of myself to the world and fighting for a cause that I believe in. As soon as I arrived to the march, BAM, I was receiving more than I could give back. The people we have met and the good work that we have done and the sense of family among the walkers has been incredible. It's like the more and more effort I put out I get back ten times as much."

We met Gary at our latest home base, the Bethlehem Catholic Workers Farm in Chehalis, WA. Based on the philosophies of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, according to Gary, the Catholic Worker is called to do works of mercy such as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and caring for the sick. Believing that the oppressors have to come to the same terms as those who are oppressed, Catholic Workers live in voluntary poverty. "These are big ideals," says Gary, "but we try to live up to them as best we can."

"The actions of non-violence and peace always have to be a creative movement. War is not a creative movement. It's a death force. Your walking is a creative force. Every step is a prayer. Every step. To see Ani la not even want to step on a worm. That's powerful. We have to get on the trail of the life force and simple things like not stepping on a worm is a part it. We're not there yet, but our mission is to make heaven on Earth or simply a place where there's peace."

When asked if he had a prayer for the people living in Tibet, Gary first looked up at the sky, then closed his eyes for a long silent time and then quietly said, "Peace."

Today's walk ended conveniently at a vegetable stand. An opportunity to by food for tonight's dinner.

ORIES FROM THE MARCH...

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