Published by: World Tibet Network News Friday, September 26, 1997

October 8th Release of 'Seven Years in Tibet' Marks Beginning of Public Education and Organizing Effort -- 'Seven Days for Tibet' -- a Full Week of Events at Movie Theaters and Other Sites Across the U.S. -- Will Kick-Off Information and Action Campaign

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- An extensive nationwide awareness campaign to publicize the human rights atrocities in Tibet under Chinese rule will begin October 8, the same day a new film starring Brad Pitt, titled ``Seven Years in Tibet'' opens in Los Angeles and New York. Tibet support groups and other Americans opposed to China's nearly fifty-year occupation of Tibet will gather at theaters in both cities to distribute Action Kits that inform moviegoers how they can join in the struggle to end Chinese oppression in Tibet.

That same night, October 8, simultaneous candlelight vigils and demonstrations will also be held in four other cities where the Chinese government has consular offices, as well as in more than fifty other cities and towns throughout the country. When the movie opens nationwide on Friday, October 10, Tibet supporters will again hand out Action Kits at theaters all across the country. The kits will make millions of people more aware of the situation in Tibet and provide them with the information and resources they need to join together in the struggle to exert pressure -- on both the U.S. and Chinese governments -- demanding that China change its brutal policies in Tibet.

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``Seven Years in Tibet,'' starring Brad Pitt, is about a Western European mountaineer who lived in Tibet prior to the Chinese invasion and became close to the Dalai Lama, Tibet's political and spiritual leader. The Chinese forced the Dalai Lama into exile in 1959. During the occupation, more than a million Tibetans died from execution, torture, and starvation, and 6,000 monasteries were destroyed. Today, China severely restricts the practice of Buddhism, Tibet's national religion, and imprisons those who express public support for the Dalai Lama. The torture of nuns and monks is routine.

``Millions of moviegoers are about to become more aware of the history and culture of Tibet, and when they learn more about the current situation under Chinese occupation, we believe that many of them will want to make a difference and join in the struggle. Our job is to turn awareness into practical support for the people of Tibet, who have maintained a valiant non-violent struggle against China's brutal domination,'' said Lodi Gyari, President of the International Campaign for Tibet.

The nationwide vigils and movie actions will represent the beginning of a non-violent protest and education effort to raise public awareness of the situation in Tibet and create a broad-based movement here in the U.S. to pressure both the Chinese and the U.S. governments to put an end to the Chinese occupation. The first week of the campaign, which is being called ``Seven Days for Tibet,'' will begin with the nationwide candlelight vigils and movie theater actions and then continue with a series of locally organized activities including: teach-ins, prayer services, speeches and demonstrations.

Later next month the focus of the campaign will shift to the upcoming fficial state visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Events are being planned for the week Jiang will be in the country, culminating in a rally across from the White House.

For more information on Tibet and the International Campaign for Tibet contact John Ackerly or Bhuchung Tsering at 202-785-1515.