Day Twelve: April 21, 2004
Cherry Creek Presentation

Who, What, When, and Where:
Cherry Creek United Methodist Church
7pm Cherry Creek, NY
Pastors Bruce and Susie Fish

Synopsis: Many members of their Cherry Creek and Ellington congregations came out to hear the PeaceRiders discuss their motivations and share their sometimes-harrowing life stories. Jigme Norbu briefly introduced each Rider before several came to the podium to go into depth about why they chose to participate in the PeaceRide04 for Tibetan Independence and World Peace.

Speakers and their Key Points:

Jigme Norbu: Dedication of PeaceRide04 and continuance of his Father¹s work, as well as China¹s Human Rights Record.

Tenam: Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy of Non-Violence and its implementation in our daily lives

Tashi Dorjee: Importance of Youth involvement, motivation for Minnesota group, and the struggle the group went through in obtaining gear and items not Made in China.

Gendin Gyatso: Imprisonment and Life inside Tibet

Sonam Wangdu: Impact of occupation on the Sangha (Monastic Community): Panchen Lama, and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.

Rinpo Tenzin: Life story of coming to America and Riding for Tibet

Parzival Herzog: Why he and his wife Sharon (Winnipeg, CA) chose to ride a tandem bicycle

Tsering Topden: Outlined life as an exile in Minnesota, and personal motivations to be a part of the ride.

Douglas Herman: Politics of Tibetan movement, The need for Americans to force their government representatives to Represent their concerns for the Tibetan People, The similarities Tibetans and Native American Indians.

Larry Gerstein: ITIM President (International Tibetan Independence Movement) History of ITIM actions and the success he feels the movement as a whole has made in giving a voice to the Tibetan community inside Tibet as well as in Exile.

Q & A: Why Tibet? What does China have to gain? During the Q&A session, a couple of younger members of the audience rose to the microphone and stated what they felt they learned from the evening¹s program.

"I learned that Tibet once was FREE, and that there are things that I can do to helpŠand if I didn¹t have school tomorrow I would ride with you all!!!"

"I learned that Tibetans have been mistreated much like many other ethnicities in history, and that it is dead wrong, and only we as individuals can attempt to enact change."

"I have come to the conclusion that I am very ignorant in regards to Tibet. The evening¹s programming has inspired me to know more, not only about Tibet, but of the entire world so that I may have some impact on this tragedy never occurring again."

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