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6-27-00 Three days ago I drove with my best friend William to Los Angeles to participate in the "Grand Finale" of more than two months and 700 miles of marching for Tibetan Independance. We were ready for a day of protesting, flag waving, banner holding, and heavy marching.
We left at 9:00am to be in L.A. by 11:30. After driving through easy traffic (until we hit the 101 Freeway) we made it to the World Trade Center by 10:45am so we had some time to kill. We talked about what we expected and I put together the long flagpole I had dreamed up so that when I waved my Tibetan flag, I wouldn't hit anybody's head or protest sign. At around 11:15am, we saw a truck pull into the parking garage and the people began pulling protest signs out of the back...they were fellow protestors!
William and I eagerly walked over to the small group and met them. They had been marching in the San Diego to Los Angeles portion of the March for Tibetan Independance 2000. We walked outside and while we were in the garage not expecting people for at least another half-hour, nearly 100 people had already assembled outside the World Trade Center including the core group of marchers from the San Diego and San Francisco legs of the marches. This was a great site to see. Standing throughout the crowd were Tibetan monks and nuns, ready to lead the group for the freedom of their homeland.
Once the group was organized and briefed on what was planned for the day, we immediately canvased, shoulder-to-shoulder, the front entrance of the World Trade Center as a show of solidarity. The group then began screaming anti-Chinese slogans, "FREE TIBET!" and "LONG LIVE THE DALAI LAMA!". The passionate screaming was constantly joined by honking cars being driven by supporters of our cause. After about 30 minutes of that, we began marching through the streets of downtown Los Angeles on our way to the Chinese Consulate three (3) miles away. As we marched, the yelling and singing never stopped. As we crossed the 101 (Hollywood) Freeway, dozens of cars driving underneath us began honking their horns in support of Tibetan independance. Every corner we crossed was accompanied by someone honking in support of our efforts and Tibet. It was an awesome sound.
Finally we reached our destination. The Chinese Consulate was around the corner and we were told to get in single file to look as big as possible. By this time, we had picked up so many supporters that we were over 300 strong! We began our march in front of the Chinese Consulate getting as close as possible without crossing onto Chinese sovereign territory. We held our signs and flags proudly in front of their outdoor security cameras. We marched in a circle for over 20 minutes and then the speakers began. We heard from Tibetan monks who were held in Chinese prisons as political prisoners and withstood years of torture. We heard from Tibetan Independance organization members who spoke of the urgency to free Tibet from China. The speaking went on for over 2 hours and inspired everyone to continue the cause when they went home...tell their friends, family, government representatives, and the Chinese government.
The day was an awesome experience that I will never forget. The day before this, the City Council of Los Angeles made an official declaration that Tibet is an occupied country and spoke out against China. The day after the March, His Holiness The Dalai Lama began his teachings in Los Angeles. I will continue to support Tibet and it's people as long they are being denied basic human rights, including that of self-determination. I hope you will too. Click here to learn more.