Published by: World Tibet Network News, Thursday, May 16, 1996

From: "Carol J. Brighton" <74124.3026@CompuServe.COM>

San Francisco (May 15, 1996) A candlelight vigil was held last night in honor of the missing Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choeyki Nyima. It was one year ago on this date that His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the young boy as the new Panchen Lama. Shortly after the announcement he and his family were detained by Chinese officials and have not been seen since.

The vigil, sponsored by Bay Area Friends of Tibet and the Tibetan Association of Northern California, marked the event by gathering together to pray.

About 100 Tibetans and Tibet supporters held candles and chanted in front of the Chinese consulate as a light mist replaced the earlier heavy rains. Large placards bearing a photograph of the 6 year old Panchen Lama were displayed for passing car traffic. Pedestrians were handed a flier calling for the Chinese government to release the Panchen Lama and his family, to ensure their safety and to allow them to live without restriction. It also calls for the unconditional release of Chadrel Rimpoche and the more than 50 other monks and lay people arrested at the time of the Panchen Lama's disappearance. The flier asks the question "How can China be our "Most Favored Nation" when it kidnaps and imprisons children?"