OVERVIEW: ITIM is very pleased to announce that it will once again coordinate a "March for Tibet's Independence." This 55+ mile walk begins on September 20 in Delray Beach, Florida and ends on September 22 in Miami, Florida. This Walk coincides with His Holiness The Dalai Lama's visit to South Florida. ITIM decided to organize this Walk as a way to build on the success of the recent "Peace RIde for Tibet's Independence" from Washington, DC to Toronto and to further the vision of Taktser Tulku (Thubten Jigme Norbu) to return Tibet to the Tibetans. Given China's recent rejection of His Holiness The Dalai Lama's middle way approach to solving the Tibet-China conflict, ITIM also concluded it was imperative to walk in order to strengthen the worldwide effort to secure Tibet's independence. Our goals for this project are similar to those established for the Peace Ride.WHY ARE WE WALKING?
- Because Tibet Belongs to Tibetans
- For the Tibetans in Tibet
- To educate people about the serious 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
and to condemn the appointment of the Chinese selected Panchen Lama - To advocate for the release of other Tibetan prisoners, particularly Tenzin Delek 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
- For Tibet, Eastern Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, and Taiwan's independence
Jigme Norbu, the son of Taktser Tulku (Oldest Brother of His Holiness The Dalai Lama) will once again co-lead this Walk as a way to further His father's lifelong effort to regain Tibet's independence. Ani Kelsang Palmo (Tibetan Nun) will co-lead the Walk as well. Ani served time in a Chinese prison for shouting "Independence for Tibet." She was severely beaten during her prison stay. Ani also co-led ITIM's two-month "March for Tibet's Independence" from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 2000. 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 100s of Tibet Supporters will stand with us at the beginning of this Walk in Delray Beach and at the end in Miama Beach.