OVERVIEW: The International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM) is very excited to announce that we will be coordinating a "Peace Ride for Tibet's Independence" from the People's Republic of China Embassy in Washington, D.C. to the PRC Embassy in Toronto, Ontario. The ride will begin April 10 and will end on April 24 right before His Holiness The Dalai Lama offers the Kalachakra Teaching in Toronto on April 25. April 25 is also the 15th birthday of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, The Panchen Lama.

ITIM was asked to coordinate this Bike Ride by Jigme Norbu (President, Tibetan Cultural Center) and Tibetans affiliated with "Peace for Tibet" in Minnesota. These Tibetans plan to ride the entire time and we intend to help them make this 600+ mile, strenuous, long journey through Maryland and the mountains of Pennsylvania and New York a big success. Jigme Norbu, the son of Taktser Tulku (Oldest Brother of His Holiness The Dalai Lama) will co-lead this Bike Ride as a way to further His father's lifelong effort to regain Tibet's independence.

Rinpo Tenzin from Minnesota will also co-lead this Ride. This Bike Ride is an extension of earlier rides (Minnesota to Chicago; Minnesota to DC) completed by Tibetans from Minnesota including Rinpo Tenzin and it is also an extension of numerous March's for Tibet's Independence led by Taktser Tulku and coordinated by ITIM.

GOALS:

• Because Tibet Belongs to Tibetans
• For the Tibetans in Tibet
• To educate people about the situation in Tibet
• To dialogue with Chinese individuals about the history and current situation in Tibet
• To advocate for the release of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, The Panchen Lama
• To advocate for the release of other Tibetan prisoners, particularly Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and Chadrel Rinpoche
• To stop the railroad and pipeline being built in Tibet by China
• To promote a Boycott of China's Goods
• To encourage people to Buy Tibetan
• To stop the environmental destruction in Tibet
• To stop the marginalization of the Tibetan population
• To advocate for democracy in China
• To ask China to negotiate with no preconditions with the Tibetan Government In-Exile
• For Tibet, Eastern Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, and Taiwan's independence

We strongly believe that our previous Walks and Bike Rides for Tibet were highly successful, in part, because of the involvement and support we received from people like you. We need your help once again.

We hope that 1000s of Tibet Supporters will stand with us at the PRC Embassy in D.C. on April 10th and at the PRC Embassy in Toronto at the conclusion of the Bike Ride on April 24th. We also hope that on April 24 and 25, Tibet Supporters around the world will advocate for the release of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, The Panchen Lama.

We are confident that this Bike Ride will be a great success not only in terms of educating people and securing their support for Tibet, but also obtaining major media attention for the cause. We trust that you will be inspired to support the "Peace Ride for Tibet's Independence." It is absolutely essential that we all keep up the momentum for a Free Tibet in the year 2004.