World Tibet Network News Sunday, March 15, 1998
Submitted by Thuten Kesang - Chairman of FOT (NZ)
AUCKLAND, March 15, 1998 (NFT) -- In the week leading up to 10th March 1998, Friends of Tibet (New Zealand) in Auckland commissioned a 10m x 2 m banner saying "CHINA QUIT TIBET" with our logo on it, which was hung over one of Auckland's busiest intersections from 1st-11th March. It was printed both sides, and could be read from quite a distance. We received lots of comments from people who saw it.
In Auckland we held a memorial service at the Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph to remember the 1.2 million Tibetans who lost their lives as a direct result of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The service was lead by our local Tibetan Monks, we prayed for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and prayed for the 1.2 million who lost their lives and the people of Tibet who live in fear under the Chinese rule. I read the 10th March Statement by His Holiness. There were about 75 people who attended the service.
Our Branches in differnt part of the country observed 10th March in differnt ways. NELSON - held a candle light service on the Church steps at Trafalgar Park and got a local actress to read Holiness 10th March Statement. WELLINGTON - held a protest out the Chinese Embassy. DUNEDIN - held a vigil in the Octigan or outside the theatre where "Seven Years in Tibet" shown. CHRISTCHURCH - were organising something to observe 10th March.
Seven Years in Tibet is still showing in most theatres in New Zealand and this is the 5th week. It reached No. 2 of the 10 most watched movies after TITANIC. This week it's No.5. Our leaflet ditrebution in the movie theatre has been very successful, so far we have about 150 new financial members joining us and about 50 of them wanting to sponsor a Tibetan child. We produced 19,000 leaflets for distribution and we are getting new members every day.
No sign of KUNDUN comming to New Zealand yet, although I've been touch with the New Zealand distrebutors who seems to have no clue whether it's comming here or not.
