Debra Ladner - 212-213-5010

On Sunday, November 5, the Office of Tibet, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the Temple of Understanding, Tibet support groups and the Tibetan community will jointly honor the seven courageous Tibetans who held a thirteen day hunger strike in front of the United Nations to call the world body's attention to the plight of the Tibetan people. The hunger strike was ended on the 14th day, when pleas from representatives of the U.N., the State Department, the religious community, Tibetan organizations, and several NGO's affiliated with the U.N. to end the fast were joined by a personal entreaty from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The hunger strikers are now rested and nearly fully recovered, and preparing to return to their communities. The seven hunger strikers (the original six were joined by a seventh when Ms. Yiga was taken to the hospital) will themselves be present at the ceremony.

In a service to begin at 11:00 AM, Rinchen Dharlo, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, will read the Dalai Lama's message to the hunger strikers. "It is very encouraging that the religious community values the hunger strikers' gesture as a symbol of the dignity and generosity of the human spirit", Mr. Dharlo stated. "Although the United Nations failed the people of the free world by not responding to the just demands which motivated the hunger strike, I feel that this vigil was a tremendous success."

The Very Rev. James Parks Morton will present the Cathedral Freedom Award to the hunger strikers during the service. Special prayers for the people of Tibet will be offered, and the hunger strikers will be presented with traditional Tibetan kata scarves. Representatives of several NGO's will be issuing statements regarding their commitments to aiding the Tibetan people.