PeaceRiders Express Support for Tibetan U.N. Hunger Strikers

To our fellow Brothers and Sisters,

We would like to share our personal statements from the Peace Ride for Tibet¹s Independence (Washington D.C. to Toronto, April 10-24th) with each of you to express our gratitude and solidarity for your courageous act of this Indefinite Hunger Strike.    

I am really touched by what I heard about Tibetan people doing a Hunger Strike till Death if necessary. It has been a source of inspiration during the hard times on this difficult bike ride.
- Tenzin Norbu, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

My heart goes out to you all for your courageous act.  You are all an inspiration to not only Tibetans but for the whole world to see. I pray for your health.
- Jigme Norbu, Bloomington, Indiana

Keep your faith and continue to pray. We are doing our best and we have been crying and begging people to help our collective cause.  Tashi Delek!
- Tenam, Indianapolis, Indiana

It is not easy for the majority of Tibetan people to give up their life for our freedom. I will do my best to follow your example and keep continuing the struggle.
- Rabka Rabka, Minneapolis, Minnesota

To be honest, I myself think that all six million Tibetans need to do a hunger strike. So you are doing this really important thing on behalf of all six million Tibetans and a Free Tibet.  Your Act will be remembered and carried on by the youth of Tibet, which is the future of our nation.  So therefore, I would like to wish you all the good luck, health, and well being.  Thank You.
- Tashi Dorjee, Columbia Heights, Minnesota

We all know that we have to die someday, but your open decision to sacrifice your life in an effort to finally make the world make a change in Tibet is both amazing and encouraging.  Thank you so much.
- Tsering Topden, Richfield, Minnesota

Your act of sacrifice will never be forgotten by all present and future generations.  Such an effort is hard for ordinary people to make.  I am very proud of you and my prayers are always with you. Namgyal
- Rabten, Fridley, Minnesota

I have great confidence in your actions.  Tibetans in Tibet and Exile will follow your effort to Free Tibet! -Rinpo Tenzin, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Although we are facing some difficulties, like nearly getting hit by a truck and having to ride each day in the driving rain, none of it can compare to your actions.  Your unwavering dedication to your vow really drives us along our journey to a Free Tibet!
- Khedup T. Ritzekura, Fridley, Minnesota

I am very proud of your efforts. We are behind you and will do everything that we can to let the people we meet know about how dedicated you all are in carrying your struggle to the ultimate end. Death or a Free Tibet!
- Sonam Wangdu, New York, New York

As I struggle to maintain progress in my days riding for a Free Tibet and World Peace, I think of you and how willing you are to give your life for our people. I am greatly indebted to your perseverance, and hope one day we will get a chance meet.
- Tenzin Sherab, Richfield, Minnesota

When I began to feel pain as we rode from Washington, DC towards Toronto, the thought of how much you must have been hurting made it possible to carry on without fear.
- Tsering Samdup, Columbia Heights, Minnesota

This is how we can fulfill the desire of Tibetans both inside and in exile. Since we cant do the same thing, we are doing what we can and at this point it is riding the 600 long miles from DC to Toronto to reach the same goal, a Free Tibet.  Same ends, just different means.  Thank you for your contribution to our people.
- Gendin Gyantso, Santa Monica, California

Whatever you are doing is not only for your own convictions but for six million Tibetans.  Definitely there will be difficulties. Please bear with it and of course we will always support you.
- Rabten Gyatso, Bloomington, Indiana

We joined this Peace Ride because we wanted to help through nonviolence, and your participation in this Indefinite Hunger Strike has become a focal point for awareness all over the world. My heart goes out to you all as you personally suffer and sacrifice for your countrymen and women.
- Sharon Wisemyn, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I support your actions and I hope that all the good to which you aspire to will be realized within the natural borders of a Free Tibet.
- Parzival Wisemyn, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I am not sure if you remember me from the 1st day of your hunger strike, but I was the photographer who sent down my friends to get footage of you on the 4th day, and I am the tour coordinator for the Peace Ride from DC to Toronto. I am very concerned about your health and well being and hope that you are holding in there.  What you are doing is extremely important to each and every person on this Ride, as well as countless individuals around the world. Please remember us as you carry us on your backs across the independence line for without you and your sacrifices we do not stand a chance. I hope to be back in New York in May and look forward to celebrating some changes in the way the international community responds to China's consistent oppression of your beautiful culture, over momo's and thukpa of course. My prayers are with you. Bhod Rangzen!
- Douglas F. Herman, Peace Ride Coordinator/Photographer/Writer

The Spring of 2004 will be remembered as a critical turning point in the effort to return Tibet to the Tibetans. Your action has inspired all of us to wake up, stand up, and speak up even more for an independent Tibet and the release of The Panchen Lama and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. We all hunger for Rangzen regardless of our strategy. Soon the United Nations and the international community will honor your demands. Until then, I pray for your continued strength. Our riders and supporters along the way are all standing strong with you.
- Larry Gerstein, Fishers, Indiana President, International Tibet Independence Movement