OVERVIEW
OF MARCH
Promoting a message of independence through non-violence, three Indiana
based Tibet support groups are coordinating a “March for Tibet’s
Independence” from Bloomington to Indianapolis. The International
Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM) is walking for the sixth time, for
a total of 2100 miles/3400 kilometers since 1995. This year ITIM is joined
by the members of the Tibetan Cultural Center (TCC; Bloomington), and
the Indiana University Students for a Free Tibet. This walk was inspired
by Taktser Truklu (Professor Thubten Jigme Norbu) who is the oldest brother
of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Co-Founder of ITIM, and Founder of the
TCC. The walk will be led by Jigme Norbu and Larry Gerstein (President,
ITIM; Professor, Ball State University). Mr. Norbu is the Director of
the TCC, son of Taktser Truklu, and nephew of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
WHY ARE WE MARCHING?
--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
--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
LOGISTICS OF MARCH
Each day we will be transported to the route. We will NOT carry any heavy
items; only a day pack, if needed, and signs, flags, etc. At the end of
the day, we will be transported back to where we will sleep and eat dinner.
All of us will sleep on the floor. We will bring a lunch each day for
the walkers. All the food will be made by the walkers. The International
Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM) will pay for the meals, fuel for the
vans, etc. The walkers will be responsible for cleaning up where we stay.
If you come to walk for a short time (e.g., one day), we have a system
to transport you back to your car. Don’t worry about this!
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MARCH?
1. Patience
2. Ability to walk slow for about 10-15 miles per day
3. Sleeping bag
4. Rain gear
5. Hiking shoes
6. Warm clothing
7. Towel
8. Coffee/tea mug
9. Funds for your personal expenses
10. Good attitude
11. Willingness to shout slogans!
12. Phone card if you plan to make long distance calls
DAILY MARCH SCHEDULE
Day One March 6 Thursday (12 miles to walk)
9-9:30am Welcome & Brief Speeches
Tibetan Cultural Center
3655 Snoddy Road, Bloomington, Indiana
For directions visit: www.tibetancc.com
Route. Start walking from the TCC Stuppa and exit the TCC. Turn right
on to Snoddy Road. Take Snoddy to Smith Road and turn left on Smith Road.
At the top of the hill, turn right on to Sare Road. Continue on Sare Road
to College Mall Road. Take College Mall Road past the College Mall. Cross
3rd Street and continue walking on SR 46 West passing White Castle on
the right. Take SR 46 West to Walnut Street (at this corner is a Denny’s
and McDonald’s). At Walnut, turn right by the McDonald’s.
Continue walking on Walnut (which is also called Old 37) and merge on
to New SR 37 North. Continue on SR 37 until the Big Foot gas/store on
the East side of the highway.
Day Two March 7 Friday (12 miles to walk)
9am Start time.
Route. Start from the Big Foot gas/store on SR 37 near Bloomington (College
Mall exit). Enter Morgan County and leave Monroe County. Continue on SR
37 North for about 12 miles to the Shell Gas Station/Burger King by the
South Martinsville Shopping Center.
Day Three March 8 Saturday (15 miles to walk)
9am Start time.
Route. Start from the Shell Gas Station/Burger King by the South Martinsville
Shopping Center on SR 37. Continue walking North on SR 37 to the Amoco
Gas Station at the Junction of SR 144 and SR 37.
Day Four March 9 Sunday (10.5 miles to walk)
9am Start time.
Route. Start from the Amoco Gas Station at the Junction of SR 144 and
SR 37. Continue walking on SR 37 North leaving Johnson County and entering
Marion County. Stay on SR 37 North past Interstate 465. After I465, SR
37 is now called Harding Street. Stop at the Pilot Gas Station on Harding
Street slightly north of Interstate 465.
Day Five March 10 Monday (7.5 miles to walk)
9am Start time.
Route. Start at the Pilot Gas Station on Harding Street slightly north
of Interstate 465. Continue on Harding Street North until the Village
Pantry/Marathon Station at Morris Street. Turn right on to Morris. Continue
on Morris Street and turn left on to West Street. Continue on West Street
until Washington Street. Turn right on Washington Street and continue
to the Government Center in downtown Indianapolis. After a brief stop
at the Government Center, continue to the Indiana State Capitol Building
for a brief stop. Then take Washington Street to Capitol Street. Turn
left on Capitol and continue to Market Street. Turn right on Market Street
and proceed to Monument Circle arriving around 11:45am. Demonstration
at Monument Circle at 12pm.
COSPONSORS
Colorado Friends of Tibet
Council for World Tibet Day
Freechurchforchina
Friends of Tibet -India
Interfaith Call for Universal Religious Freedom and Human Rights
International Campaign for Tibet
Los Angeles Friends of Tibet
Rangzen Alliance
Regional Tibetan Youth Congress -Minnesota and San Francisco
Students for a Free Tibet l
Students for a Free Tibet -Berea College
Santa Barbara Friends of Tibet
Sierra Friends of Tibet
Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center
The Relief Alliance
TIBETmichigan
U.S. Tibet Committee
Uyghur American Association
World United Formosans for Independence -U.S.A.
HOW TO HELP
1. Have your organization support the walk as a Co-Sponsor. Any way that
your organization can contribute/support would be acceptable.
2. Assist with promotions and media coverage, including publishing an
announcement of this walk in appropriate newsletters and mailings.
3. Provide a link to our website (www.rangzen.org).
4. Walk with us for any part of the route.
5. Sponsor a walker. The core group of walkers will be about 20 people.
We estimate it will cost $50 per walker to cover each personís living
expenses.
6. Sponsor meals for the walkers each day ($10 per walker or $200 for
all the walkers each day).
7. Contribute $10 for each day of the walk ($50 total).
8. Contribute $30 to cover the daily cost of fuel ($150 total)
9. Coordinate your own March for Tibetís Independence--even a one-day
event on March 10th.
10. Contribute any amount you can afford.
Please send financial contributions to:
International Tibet Independence Movement
PO Box 592
Fishers, Indiana 46038-0592
United States
ITIM is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization and donations are tax deductible
to the extent permitted by law.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Rangzen@aol.com
317-579-9015 phone
317-506-2249 cellular