March for Tibet's Independence Indiana, 2003

March 10, 2003

Marchers commemorate end of journey
and March 10 at Indianapolis' Monument Circle

WALK QUICK FACTS: Today's walk began at 9:00 and concluded at 11:45. A quick and urgent pace that accelerated with more stops. A surprise lunch was provided by Bertolini's (Jigme's friend did this, Sandy has the name). Total miles covered 7.5. 33 walkers were present at the start, joined by many more along the route. Des, a professional limosine chauffeur was our driver. We were joined by many supporters at the demonstration with representatives from Students for Free Tibet from Indiana University and DePauw University. Sarge Vishor, Congress woman Julia Carson's Chief of State came as her representative. Media contacts included: Radio interview with Radio Free Asia, WTHR Channel 6 photographer, Emily Lovberg, independent filmmaker, interview with Bloomington, Daily Student.

We rose early with a 5:30 wakeup call for the walkers that make the breakfast and woke the others by 6:00. We had been joined the night before by three new people from Michigan who arrived after 10:00 p.m. It was 7:00 when Jigme-la joined us, exuberant and wind-burned. With his tanned face and sunglasses, wearing Rinpoche's coat, he looked prepared to make the final ascent to a Himalayan summit. The sunrise was a beautiful rose mist that tinged the stupa where we had begun our walk five days earlier. We had our final pep talk, encouraged to walk as one continuous line, a strong engine powered by chants, overcoming the now more insistent pains of our physical bodies. Though our legs and feet were feeling challenged, our hearts and minds were connected to the history of this day -- March 10th, Tibetan Uprising Day. We would walk mindfully, honoring all of those who died on that day. Aware that our struggle was but a shadow of what the Tibetan people have endured.

After snapping some group photos of the core walkers, we departed at 7:30 to drive to the Pilot Gas Station in Indianapolis. The temperature as we passed the Monroe County Bank registered the chillest day yet - 12 degrees. We would need to walk briskly, but we were full of the warming energies that we have raised over the past four days. After parking our cars and being joined by some new as well as familiar faces, we were ready to walk at 9:00. There seemed to be more urgency in our walking today. We needed to cover 7.5 miles in less than 3 hours. Our goal was to be to Monument Circle by 11:45 for a demonstration.

We were joined by Tom Tseng of the World United Formosans for Independence-U.S.A. We had 33 walkers when we departed the Pilot gas station. We negotiated the busy intersections and walked up Harding Street towards downtown Indianapolis. Kelsang, held the American flag aloft and strode with long powerful steps. Jigme-la carried the red "Honk for Tibet" sign that had been his for the entire journey. It was tied with a white kata received from the Drepung Loseling monks. They had driven our route on March 3, one week earlier, on the first day of Losar, the Tibetan new year. We had lots of honks and waves, and now we encountered people on the street. They waved in support, smiled and we shouted back slogans. By 10:00 we took our first break, we'd covered 3.5 miles by the Village Pantry stop. We'd been joined along the way by 8 more walkers. Our ranks were growing and our pace accelerated. We shuttled some of the slow walkers ahead to Government Center, so they could benefit from a longer rest and join us for the final steps around the Capitol building and onto Monument Circle.

The pace continued to accelerate. At one point the enthusiasm grew to a fever pitch, as the walkers in front began to run. There was a definite feeling of urgency to arrive and begin the demonstration. That urgency was also for Tibet. The younger walkers want change, it is not that they are impatient but that their motivation is so strong and inspired. The group entered the circle and walked around the monument three times. With signs and banners, flags and slogans, the walkers assembled providing a colorful
backdrop for the speakers. With the added technology of a p.a. system, our voices were led to chant many slogans, as various Tibetans shared turns withthe microphone to lead us.

Benjamin Cox, board member welcomed and introduced the walkers. He introduced Jigme, who spoke first in a loud and passionate voice: "It is good to spend March 10th with so many Tibetans." He thanked the walkers, acknowledging the senior walkers that were our inspiration, but telling us that it was time for the next generation to carry the movement forward. He then read a speech by his father. (Read the speech)

Tom Tseng representing Bob I. Yang, Chairman of World United Formosans for Independence-U.S.A. presented ITIM with a banner to carry in future walks, and spoke of shared struggle against the Chinese. "As a token of our solidarity with the International Tibet Independence Movement, I would like to present to Prof. Larry Gerstein a banner advocating "CHINA OUT OF TIBET". (Presentation - Gedun Rabsal, Vice President of I.T.I.M. accepted the banner on Larry Gerstein's behalf) My friends, this banner is made in Taiwan. It symbolizes the joining of hands of Tibetan and Taiwanese peoples." (Read the speech)

Benjamin then read a speech by Larry Gerstein, President of ITIM. (Read the speech) Thupten Anyetsang who witnessed the Lhasa uprising as a young boy, read the Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the Forty-Fourth Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising. He wore his mother's chupa as Gedun Rabsal stood beside him in his.

Prayers were then given and the Tibetan National Anthem sung. Katas were offered to the walkers as a blessing for their further journeys. We held in our hearts the words of His Holiness: "we are all interdepent and we have to co-exist on this small planet. Therefore, the only sensible and intelligent way of resolving differences, whether between individuals, peoples or nations, is through a political culture of non-violence and dialogue."

We had crossed a bridge today, passing over the ice-filled water of the White River. An image registered of another river that was crossed when the Dalai Lama left his homeland. There was a palpable sadness and poignancy in imagining what he must have felt at that moment. But there is also hope, that one day there will be a bridge that crosses in the other direction. One empowering Tibetans to return from exile, to a Tibet liberated from threat and oppression. We walked with that vision in our hearts and we will continue to walk until Tibet is free.