The first Australian peace march for Tibet concludes in Canberra
CANBERRA, March 15, 1998 -- The first Australian Peace March for Tibetan Independence, covering a distance of over 360kms from Sydney to Canberra, the National Capital, was concluded on 10 March 1998. The Peace march was led by Zatul Rinpoche, President of the Tibetan Community and a former member of Tibetan Parliament in exile representing the Tibetan community in Europe.
The 22 marchers (6 Tibetans and 16 Australians) who walked the 11-day march from Sydney on 28 February and arrived in Canberra on 10 March assembled at the Chinese Embassy.
At the Chinese Embassy the speakers included Senator Bob Brown, Zatul Rinpoche, Leader of the Peace March, Tibetans recently escaped form Tibet and Alex Butler, President of the Australia Tibet Council. The marchers demanded Tibet12s independence and presented a list of demands to the Chinese Ambassador. (It was delivered through an Australian security official).
Chhime Rigzing, the Australian Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama read His Holiness's March 10 Statement.
The group and Tibetans, as well as many others including those who had come from outside Canberra then proceeded to Parliament House forecourt. It was addressed by Senator Vicki Bourne, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Group for Tibet, and Namgyel Tsering, (himself a participant in the long march) and Vice President of the Tibetan Community Association, Sydney. Mr N. Tsering thanked all those who have helped them in the successful conclusion of the Peace March.
Mr Chhime Rigzing, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama thanked the participants and offered them a traditional Tibetan scarf, the Khata.
Zatul Rinpoche said, "he was moved by the expression of solidarity by people along the way, including mayors of two towns through which they walked".
Via interviews with Radio Free Asia and the V.O.A., Tibetan section, news of the march has spread into Tibet.
Zatul Rinpoche also stressed "the march is a non-violent demonstration to raise Australian awareness as the horrific injustices occurring in Chinese occupied Tibet. The Tibetan people have the right to live in a free, just and independent nation."
The Peace March received wide coverage both in electronic and print media, especially over national ABC radio.
An excerpt from The Canberra Times of Wednesday, 11 March: About 30 people, aged from 19 to 65, made the 360 km journey in 30-degree heat. Even the blisters and leech bites, did not stop the group, carrying the Tibetan flag, from making its symbolic journey.
