Route

A complete listing of all current events. This may be useful if you cannot find what you are looking for in the links below.

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Tibetan National Uprising Day
Organized by: Tibetan Youth Association of Europe & Students for a Free Tibet

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Rome & Venice, Italy
Organized by: Associazone Italia-Tibet

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The official torch ceremony will take place in front of the building of the Hungarian Olympic Committee:
Magyar Sportok Háza
Istvánmezei út 1-3
1146

Organized by: Sambhala Tibet Centre
Contact

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Programme:

15:00 - rally at Marienplatz square
16:00 - torch run to the Olympic Stadium
18:00 - vigil at the Olympic Stadium

15:00 Uhr - Kundgebung auf dem Marienplatz
16:00 Uhr - gemeinsamer Fackellauf zum Olympiastadion
18:00 Uhr - Mahnwache am Olympiastadion

Organized by: Tibet Initiative Deutschland

Contact

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Edinburgh and London, UK (to coincide with Beijing Olympic Torch Relay)

The Freedom Torch will first be brought to Edinburgh, and will then coincide with the arrival of the Beijing Olympic Torch in London on April 6th.

Six former Drapchi political prisoners, including Ngawang Sangdrol and Phuntsog Nyidrol, and athletes from Team Tibet will play a prominent role in the 6th April London programme. The day’s activities will include protests in the morning along the Beijing Torch Relay route followed by a rally in the afternoon in a prominent London square to light and celebrate the Tibetan Freedom Torch.

The highlights of the rally will include the Tibetan Freedom Torch ceremony and the six re-united Drapchi nuns singing live their freedom songs recorded in Drapchi prison. Speakers for the rally include Ngawang Sangdrol, Lhadon Tethong, a British Parliamentarian and Team Tibet athletes. Music and entertainment will be provided by the Tibetan Community in Britain’s dance group, Chino, and other Tibetan musicians with support from British bands.

The Tibetan Freedom Torch will then be taken by Eurostar to Paris, the next leg of the Relay, by the Drapchi nuns and Team Tibet athletes.

Organized by: Students for a Free Tibet UK, Tibetan Community of Britain, Tibet Society UK, Tibetan Youth UK, Free Tibet Campaign.

Contact

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(to coincide with Beijing Olympic Torch Relay)

Programme:

6 April

7:00pm, Gare du Nord:
Join the Tibetan Community of France in welcoming former political prisoners of Drapchi prison and Team Tibet athletes when they arrive from London with the Tibetan Freedom Torch. (*To join the protest in London and travel with them on the Eurostar, please contact terry(at)freetibet.org.)

7 April

11:00am: Mass protest begins at Trocadero square

The Tibetan Freedom Torch will be celebrated as Tibetans and supporters gather to protest the Beijing Olympic Torch. The Beijing Torch Relay will begin from under the Eiffel tower around 1:30pm, on the opposite bank of Seine river. We invite you to walk, bicycle, use tourist buses and tourist boats, along the relay route. Please bring Tibetan flags, banners, tee-shirts, and flyers!

Contact, Tibetan Community: comtibfr(at)hotmail.com

Contact, Accommodation in Paris: marcellerouxtibet(at)yahoo.fr

Contact, Transportation: rang.ben(at)wanadoo.fr

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(to coincide with Beijing Olympic Torch Relay)

Join us for the Tibetan Freedom Torch Ceremony, March and Rally, and a Candlelight Vigil with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Richard Gere, Tibetan leaders and other special guests on April 8th.
April 8th Program: 

Tibetan Freedom Torch Ceremony, March and Rally

United Nations Plaza, 11:00 am

(1150 Market Street at Hyde, near Civic Center BART) 

11:00 Press Conference & Torch Ceremony

12:00 Rally

1:00 March to SF City Hall

1:15 Rally at the SF City Hall

1:45 March to Chinese Consulate

2:15 Protest and speeches at the Chinese Consulate

3:15 March back to UN Plaza
Break

Candlelight Vigil: Light the Darkness, Shine the Truth on Tibet

6:00 pm Rally and Speeches

7:15 pm Music and Cultural Performance

8:00 pm Candlelight Vigil 

April 9

On April 9th, China’s Olympic Torch will pass through San Francisco as part of its global torch relay. San Francisco is the only city in North America to host the torch.Tibetans and supporters from all over North America are converging in San Francisco for this historic opportunity to shine the Olympic spotlight on China’s brutal occupation of Tibet. Join the mass mobilization! Visit www.sftorch2008.org or www.sfteamtibet.org for more information.

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The Freedom Torch will be handed off to Tibetan cyclists on April 9th in San Francisco, who will relay it to Los Angeles over the next six days. It will be welcomed in Los Angeles by the Tibetan community and Tibet supporters, who will hold a day-long fast in front of the Chinese consulate on April 15th.

Tentative schedule:

April 9th - Torch hand-over to cyclists in San Francisco
April 10th - Program at Stanford, 12 pm
April 11th - Program at UC Santa Cruz, 12 pm
April 12th-13th - Bike to Santa Barbara
April 14th - Program at UC Santa Barbara, 12 pm
April 15th - Program at UC Los Angeles, 12 pm (to be confirmed)
- Torch Ceremony and Press Conference at Chinese consulate, Los Angeles

Organized by: Santa Barbara Friends of Tibet, Tibetan Association of Southern California

Contact

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(to coincide with Beijing Olympic Torch Relay)

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On the 20th of April, at 10 a.m., Tibet Supporters, Tibetans and the athletes from the Forbidden Team will gather in front of the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam to welcome the Tibetan Freedom Torch to the Netherlands. A die-in to symbolize victims of the crisis in Tibet will take place.

A sponsor run of 12 km through the centre of Amsterdam will start at the Olympic square and finish at the Ticket For Tibet festival. At the same time, a peacefull protest march will start at the Olympic square and go to the Ticket For Tibet festival, carrying the Tibetan Freedom Torch to the festival area. The peace march will take place from 10. a.m. till 12.a.m. There will be a big traditional welcome ceremony upon arrival at the festival area. An explanation about the Tibetan Freedom Torch will be given from the main stage of the festival and the Tibetan Freedom Torch will be handed to Dutch politician Femke Halsema.

The Ticket For Tibet festival is a major music festival celebrating Tibetan culture by Tibetan, Dutch and international musicians. At the festival area there will be music, soccer games by the Forbidden Team, a Tibetan village, workshops, nomadic sports, comedy, movies, etc. For more information, see www.ticketfortibet.com .

Organized by: Tibet Support Groep Nederland
Contact: Lydia Stilma, Lydia@tibet.nl

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Organized by: Games of Beijing

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Organized by: Danish Tibet Committee

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Organized by: Norwegian Tibet Committee

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Stockholm, Gothenburg, Sweden
Organized by: Swedish Tibet Committee

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Organized by: Friends of Tibet Finland

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4:00 - 4:30 - Tibetan prayers and blessing at Mile 0
4:30 - 5:30 - The Torch will be run through the James Bay area (The first 10-15 minutes will be at a walking pace.)
5:30 - Ceremony at the Legislature grounds

Please join us at Mile 0 and/ or the Legislature. If you are a runner, we invite you also to participate in the run but please get in touch before the event at victoria(at)tibet.ca or 250-380-1235.

Organized by: Canada Tibet Committee & Students for a Free Tibet Canada

Kathie Putt, kputt(at)islandnet.com

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* 12:00 noon - 1:15pm * - Rally at the Chinese Consulate, 3380 Granville Street. Gather with Tibetans and supporters to light the “Freedom Torch” in front of the Chinese Consulate.

* 12:30 - 2:30pm * - Freedom Torch Relay - Tibetan relay runners and their supporters will carry the torch in a circuit North across Granville Bridge, loop South across Burrard Bridge, and then return to the Chinese Consulate to the Rally. They will be greeted at the Consulate by the supporters at the Rally and then will loop around False Creek completing the run at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street side).

* 2:00 - 4:30pm * - TIBETAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL, Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street side). After the Rally at the Consulate supporters will go to the Vancouver Art Gallery by public transit or personal vehicle. Performers include:

* Pepe Danza
* The Tibetan Children’s Choir of British Columbia
* Shenpenn
* Hayfa Makes Music
* music of the Uyghur people (East Turkistan)

Please join this celebration of culture, determination, and the spirit of survival in the face of adversity.
Organized by: Canada Tibet Committee and Students for a Free Tibet Canada

For more information and related events: www.tibet.ca/vancouver , vancouver(at)tibet.ca

Watch Video from the Vancouver Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay

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Ottawa area events will take place from 12:30 to 5:30 PM.

Please visit www.tibet.ca/ottawa <http://www.tibet.ca/mailinglist/lt/t_go.php?i=5&e=MTE2Mg==&l=-http–www.tibet.ca/ottawa> for full details.

Organized by: Canada Tibet Committee and Students for a Free Tibet Canada

Contact:
Ottawa - Shelagh Mills, shelagh.mills(at)sympatico.ca

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1:00 pm : Torch run (estimating it will take 1 ½ hrs) 5 km run
with about 10 runners carrying the torch (the route is still being
determined but the run will end at the Chinese Consulate)

Around 3:00 pm : Panel discussion at the U of C following the run
(re: Politics surrounding the Olympic Games and Olympic Torch).

Q&A session after the movie

Wrap up by 7:00 pm.

Organized by: Canada Tibet Committee and Students for a Free Tibet Canada

Contact:
ctcoffice(at)tibet.ca

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The Montreal Tibetan Freedom Marathon

The Montreal leg of the Freedom Torch relay will start at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 16th at Parc Kelso in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. The Torch will travel by bike along the Lachine Canada to the Old Port where it will be passed to a series of runners travelling along St. Paul to Beaver Hall and along Rene Levesque to Westmount Park. The Torch will then be biked via the de Maisonneuve bike path to Berri and finally to Parc Lafontaine where it will be passed to a series of walkers who will carry the Torch to the Olympic Stadium for a welcoming ceremony beginning at 5:00 PM.

Organized by: Canada Tibet Committee and Students for a Free Tibet Canada

Contact:
Giovanni Di Placido, giobouldering(at)yahoo.ca

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Toronto Freedom Torch Festival

The torch relay will begin at 11:00 am in front of the Chinese Consulate. The torch will then proceed south on St. George St., turning east on Bloor St. W., south on Yonge St., west on Queen St. and ending at Nathan Philips Square.

The theme for the Toronto leg of the relay is passing the torch from the older generation to the younger generation. The relay will start with an elderly Tibetan and finally have our youngest members finish the relay off at the Nathan Philips Square festival.

The Festival will begin at 12:00 Noon and include a variety of performances and speakers throughout the day and evening. It will end at 10:00 pm.

Planning of specific event details is currently underway. Continue to check the “Upcoming Events” section at www.tibet.ca for updates on this event across Canada.

Organized by: Joint Action Committee (JAC): Students for a Free Tibet Canada, Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Chushi Gangdruk.

Contact:
Dasey Wang Khang, daseywangkhang(at)yahoo.ca
Tsering Lama, tsering(at)studentsforafreetibet.org

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The torch will arrive at The Meeting School in Rindge, New Hampshire. Students and other friends of Tibet from New Hampshire, Vermont and western Massachusetts will take the torch up Mount Monadnock, one of the two most climbed mountains in the world.

Tibet supporters will meet at the base of the mountain near the guard house at 3pm and will immediately hike to the top. We hope to all arrive at the top of the mountain by 5pm where we will hold a vigil with banners, flags, and of course the torch. At the top we will hold a vigil that includes three minutes of silence in honor of those who have perished and been displaced in Tibet and China in the Sichuan earthquake. We will chant the Mantra of Chenrizig in hopes of bringing peace and compassion to all the people of the world, especially for our friends in Tibet and their Chinese neighbors. We plan to tie some traditional Tibetan prayer flags at the pass at the top of the mountain. The Monadnock Friends of Tibet will be joined by the Students for a Free Tibet from Keene High School and other local Tibet supporters from southern New England. We hope for at least one hundred participants to accompany the torch up the mountain during its stop in New Hampshire.

For more information contact: michelle@monadfriendsoftibet.org

Organized by: Monadnock Friends of Tibet

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New York City Tibetans and supporters will welcome the Tibet Freedom Torch on Tuesday May 20th 2008.
Torch Lighting Ceremony
(9am Battery Park-Liberty Island)

Torch Closing Ceremony
(1pm Chinese Consulate)

The Tibetan Freedom Torch symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice and the commitment of people around the world to helping achieve this dream. The Olympic torch should embody the ideals of peace and harmony for all, but this year, the Chinese government is trying to use the Olympic torch relay to cover up its brutal occupation of Tibet and abysmal human rights record, while the International Olympic Committee has refused Tibetans’ request to be represented at the Games. The Tibetan Freedom Torch relay gives voice to the true ideals of Tibetans and reminds the global public of the need for action to bring an end to China’s occupation of Tibet.

The Tibetan Freedom Torch will travel to more than 50 cities between March 10th and August 7th, when Tibetans plan to carry the torch to Tibet. The relay will finish on August 8th, the day the Olympics begin in Beijing.
Organized by: US Tibet Committee, Students for a Free Tibet

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12 NOON TO 3 PM

12 to 12:30: Torch Lighting at Dilworth Plaza
(NW Corner of City Hall)

12:30 to 2 PM: Torch Relay to the Art Museum, then to Independence Hall

2 to 3 PM: Demonstration in front of Independence Mall (Market St. between 5^th and 6^th St.)

Contacts:

Tsering Wangdi 917-757-4200 happyvalleymussoorie(at)yahoo.com
Jeff Granett 610-525-4977 sngmedia(at)comcast.net

Media:

Suzanna Murphy 267-265-7799 suzanna.murphy(at)radian.biz
Ken Klein 610-668-2776 kenklein6(at)comcast.net
Karma Gelek 310-347-9973 kgelek(at)yahoo.com

Organized by: US Tibet Committee

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The torch will make a short stop in Washington, DC, but no public events will be held.

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Boston Tibet Freedom Torch Festival.

The torch relay will begin at 9:00 A.M. 4:30 P.M. at the Boston Common Park. The torch will then proceed along the freedom trail and finish up at Boston Common Park again.

The Festival will include Tibetan Dance performances and speakers throughout the day. It will end at 4:30 p.m.

Organized by Tibetan Association of Boston(TAB) and
International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM)

Contact:
Dhondup Phunkhang 617 642 5510
Yama Thoulutsang 339-221-0654
Ngawang Jordan 617-501-6205
Ngawang Norbu 781-321-2858

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Denver to Colorado Springs

Organized by: Tibetan Association of Colorado and Colorado Friends of Tibet

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State Capitol Program Detail:
Emcee: Ms. Ngawang Dolker of Students for a Free Tibet

9:30 AM - Assemble at the Capitol
10:00 AM Welcome Announcement/Event Objectives
10:05 AM - Tibetan/American National Anthem
10:15 AM - Moment of Silence
10:16 AM - Dentsig Monlam / Prayer of Truth
10:20 AM - Meaning of Freedom Torch Relay
10:30 AM - Guest Speaker – Mayor Chris Coleman (TBD)
10:40 AM - Torch Lighting Ceremony flanked by Gyalshay dancers
Gen Gundun (Gyuto monk) to light the torch
10:42 AM - Pledge Remark by Kalsang Phuntsok of RTYC
10.50 AM - Hand off the Torch to Gen Gendun – first torch bearer.
March begins.

(Distance - 7.5 miles. Estimate of Time – 2.5 Hrs. Expected Arrival – 2:00PM.
Lunch to be served upon arrival)

Tibetan Community Cultural Center Program Detail:
Emcee: Ms. Ngodup Sangmo of TAFM

3:00 PM - Welcome Announcement
3:05 PM - Meaning and significance of Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay – Tsewang
Chokden of RTYC
3:10 PM - Moment of Silence
3:11 PM - Dentsig Monlam / Prayer of Truth
3:15 PM - Speech by SFT President
3:20 PM - Speech by RTWA President
3:25 PM - Speech by RTYC President
3:30 PM - Speech by TAFM President
3:35 PM Speech by GUEST SPEAKER
Edmund Lu of China Democracy Movement
3:40 PM - Speech by KEYNOTE SPEAKER
CONGRESSMAN KEITH ELLISON
4:00 PM - Cultural Dance and Freedom Songs – TAFM/Dotoe/Melong
4:55 PM - Vote of Thanks – Karma Wangchuk, TAFM ED
5:00PM - Sangsol (Fire Puja) with Namthar led by Tenzin Ngawang, TAFM music teacher.

The event is organized by:

Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC)
Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM)
Students for a Free Tibet (SFT)
Regional Tibetan Women’s Association (RTWA)
What You Need To Know About Saturday May 31, Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay

Program

1. State Capitol Program starts at 10:00AM sharp. Please arrive early.
2. March begins at 11:00AM
3. Route leaders and torch bearers will lead the procession
4. March ends at Tibetan Community Cultural Center (TCCC) around 2:00PM
5. TCCC Program starts at 3:00PM - Keynote Speaker - Rep Keith Ellison
6. Program ends at 5:00PM with Sangsol (Fire Puja)
7. For detailed program description, please visit www. rtycminnesota.org or www.tafm.org

Transportation

1. Organizers have booked 2 school buses. Bus pickup starts at 8:30AM in the cultural center parking lot. Each bus will make 2 roundtrips with the last pickup at 9:30AM. If you want to ride the bus, please come at least by 8:30AM. Others driving their own cars may head straight to the capitol. Please do not park cars in the (TCCC) parking lot. Designated parking areas are available with guided personnel. Please do not park anywhere not suggested by the staff. Please do not hang around in groups in these parking lots.

2. If you are driving and you have seats available please consider giving rides to others.

March - Route/Safety

1. March distance is about 7.5 miles and we expect to take around 2.5 hours.

2. March begins at the State Capitol at 11:00AM. Following through St. Paul downtown, we head straight down the University Ave. W until Raymond Ave. Turning Right will lead straight to the Tibetan Community Cultural Center.

2. Please wear appropriate attire. For Tibetans, traditional dress code is highly encouraged. We encourage everyone to buy and wear event specific T-shirt made available at the bus entrance. T-shirt and a flag is on sale for $10 only.

3. Please wear appropriate shoes - tennis shoes for walking are recommended to reduce the risk of injury.

4. Please exercise best judgments and follow traffic rules properly. Please be considerate and careful of small kids and seniors. It may be good to keep infants away or have some one to wait at TCCC instead. Anyone unable to walk lengths may join the morning and afternoon programs at the State Capitol and TCCC.

5. Given distance of walk we advise elders, disabled and small kids to not to take part in march or to limit participation only.

Security

As encountered during Human Rights Torch Relay on April 16, there may be counter-protest from the pro-China group. If such an incident occurs please refrain from confrontation. Event leaders are advised to keep check on everyone.

Refreshments

1. There will a team of volunteers providing bottle water along the route. You may want to bring along snacks to keep up your energy. Lunch (sandwich) will be served upon arrival at the TCCC.

Contact:

1. Kalsang Phuntsok - Event Coordinator - 612-281-7619 rtycminnesota@yahoo.com
2. Tsewang Chokden - Event Coordinator - 952-356-7359
2. Karma Wangchuk - TAFM - 651-917-9556
3. Tsering Dolma - RTWA - 763-502-7904
4. Thinly Woser - TAFM - 612-716-8608
5. Ngawang Dolker - SFT - 763-639-4616

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Tibetan Freedom Torch in Indiana
FISHERS, Ind - The Tibetan Freedom Torch will be coming to Indiana on June 3 and 4. On Tuesday (June 3), there will be a rally and press conference at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis at 9am followed by a bicycle ride to Bloomington, Indiana.

Two of Taktser Rinpoche’s (oldest brother of His Holiness The Dalai Lama) three children will be riding. Their names are Jigme Norbu (42 years old) and Kunga Norbu (45 years old). The ride will end in Martinsville (Indiana) on Tuesday. Basically, the route is SR37 South.

On Wednesday (June 4), the ride will resume from around Martinsville and proceed to the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington where the riders will present the Tibetan Freedom Torch to Taktser Rinpoche at around noon. Taktser Rinpoche’s oldest son, Lhundup Norbu (46 years old), will be on hand for this as well. Thus, all three of Rinpoche’s children will be present for the Torch ceremony.

This event will be followed by a walk with the Torch from the Center to the downtown Bloomington Courthouse. A rally and press conference will occur at the Courthouse at 5pm. Tibetan Monks, other Tibetans, and westerners will walk from the Center to downtown. Note that June 4 is the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests.

This event is sponsored by the International Tibet Independence Movement and Students for a Free Tibet-Indiana University.

For further information, contact Larry Gerstein, President-International Tibet Independence Movement (317-506-2249 cell; rangzen@aol.com).

May 30, 2008

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Torch in Mexico City
Date: Saturday 21st June
Time and place: 15:00 hrs, departs from the “Auditorio Nacional” calle de Reforma Ciudad de México
Contact: exa@tibetnetwork.org or pensandoentibet@gmail.com

Torch in Monterrey México
Date: Sunday 22nd of June
Time and place: 18:30 hrs at the “Plaza de los Héroes” de la Macroplaza en la ciudad de Monterrey
contact: exa@tibetnetwork.org or pensandoentibetnte@gmail.com

Video From Monterrey

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June 23-30 - New Zealand - Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud

Keeping in the tradition of covering the whole of New Zealand the Tibetan Freedom Torch will be handed off at an official farewell in the deep south of the South Island and be driven and run to Whangarei in the far north of the North Island - a distance of over 2000 km’s . On its journey north there will be relays and rallies at places like Gore, Balclutha, Milton, Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, Christchurch, Nelson, Parliament in the capital of Wellington, Palmerston North, Napier, Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton, Auckland and finally Whangarei. Making this what we believe the longest single event - and from mostly likely the smallest nation taking part.

New Zealand Tibetan Freedom Torch Route

Monday 23rd June 2008
Invercargill
9:15am Official start of New Zealand relay by the Mayor of
Invercargill, Tim Shadbolt, and Ngai Tahu
11:00am – Gore, 12:30am – Balclutha, 1pm – Milton
Dunedin
3:30pm torch relay into city followed by rally at Octagon

Tuesday 24th June 2008
9:00am – Oamaru, 10:30am Timaru
Christchurch
1:30pm torch relay to Peace Bell, march to Cathedral Square for rally

Wednesday 25th June 2008
Nelson
3:15pm torch relay to Cathedral Steps for rally

Thursday 26th June 2008
Wellington
12:00 gathering at Civic Square followed by waterfront/city relay
to Parliament for rally
Paraparaumu
3:30pm relay through town centre and rally at Community Centre

Friday 27th June 2008
9:00am - Palmerston North
Napier
1:00pm – relay through city centre

Saturday 28th June 2008
9:15am - Taupo
Rotorua
11:00am – relay through city centre
Hamilton
2:00pm – relay through city centre

Sunday 29th June 2008
Auckland
1:00pm – Auckland relay starts at Okahu Bay along the
waterfront to Aotea Square for rally at 2:30pm

Monday 30th June 2008
Whangarei
12:00pm – Peace march through city to Town Basin for rally

Organized by: Friends of Tibet New Zealand
Contact: Paul Cullen, cullen@ihug.co.nz, 0064 9 415 7579

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On July 6th, the birthday of the Dalai Lama, the torch will reach the top of Jade Mountain, and we will have a web cam conference (http://www.live.yahoo.com/taiwanfortibet) in the celebration of the birthday of the Dalai Lama. Jade Mountain is the highest mountain in East Asia and a sacred place for the indigenous people of Taiwan.

Events include:

July 2nd, 10:00 am, press conference to announce the event and coming activities. All the participant groups including Taiwan Friend of Tibet, and some other Taiwan human rights groups, will be presented.

July 4th, 8:30-9:00am, at Freedom Plaza. The climbers will gather and get on the bus heading for the climbing points. Press and supporters will see them off. The campaign bus will go to the Taipei airport to “receive and welcome” the first flight of Chinese tourists.

The climbers with the torch will go to Chia-Yi. They will start climbing the next morning and will be on top of Jade Mountain on the early morning of July 6th, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday.

Activities will be on the Live Yahoo! (http://www.live.yahoo.com/taiwanfortibet) for the world at the following times:

July 2nd, Taiwan Time 10:00-11:00am

July 4th, Taiwan Time 8:30–9:00am

July 6th, Taiwan Time 8:00-8:30 am

July 6th, Taiwan Time 2:30–3:30 pm

Organized by:
Taiwan Friends of Tibet
Taiwan Tibet Exchange Foundation
Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association
Taiwan Association for Human Rights
Taiwan Foundation for Democracy

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Organized by: Tibet Patria Libre

We had a solidarity night for Tíbet on Monday July 7th. With the Freedom Torch here it was showed the film The Forbidden Team. The activity was carried out at the Ateneo of Montevideo, one of the most ancient cultural places in our city.
The audience was around seventy people, we hoped more than this number, but taking into account the cold and stormy night, it was correct. Previous the film it gave a lecture about the current situation in Tibet, the symbolism of the Torch and so on.  In the audience was a special guest — a member of the Mexican group Pensando en Tíbet (PET).
Coinciding with the event and the Freedom Torch here, Tibet Patria Libre has launched the campaign Tibet Palabra Libre (Tibet Free Word) in which we are inviting to write in favour of the cause showing our sympathy and compassion. All the works we receive will be published in the blog www.tibetpalabralibre.vox.com, basically the call is done for Spanish speakers but we accept works in other languages too. Doesn´t matter the genre or the style, the only important thing is to write for Tíbet lending our free words to Tibetans who have lost them. We receive the works in this address, tibetpatrialibre@gmail.com

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The Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay has traversed India and made its triumphant arrival in Dharamsala. Read the most recent news articles here:

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/City-NGO-takes-up-Tibetans-cause/339728/
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=22219
http://www.odishatoday.com/Orissa/Tibetan_Freedom_Torch_rally_200708-95642153687.html

Some previous articles from the beginning of the India leg of the Freedom Torch relay:

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/tibetan-freedom-torch-to-arrive-in-india-july-10_10069534.html
http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/380285
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/tibetans-exiled-march-with-freedom-torch-in-delhi_10070105.html
http://www.pr-inside.com/tibetan-exiles-carry-shadow-olympic-torch-r695896.htm
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=21913&t=1&c=1
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/tibetans-run-relay-with-freedom-torch-in-delhi_10069985.html

10th July:

The Torch Arrives Delhi on 9th at ITCO office. TFT Relay began its India Leg on 10th July. The Relay was conducted from Samtha Sthal to Jantar Mantar, about 6kms run. Celebrities, sportsperson, politicians, activists of India and Tibet namely Nafisa Ali, Kirti Azad, Kiran Rijiju, Lama Chotsphel Zotpa, Core group Chair person Mr. N.K. Trikha were gathered at Jantar Mantar followed by crowd of around 100 people from different backgrounds joined the Relay. Dozens of media people came and spotlight the events. Small program was held at Jantar Mantar with speeches from guests and speakers.

11th July: Jaipur Relay

In Jaipur, around 20 people gathered including Rashtravati Muslim Manch president Dr. Manohar Chowdhary and his family, Vice Secretary of Muslim Manch Masood Taqvi, Himalayan Parivaar president Vijay Shankar. These distinguished guests were present during the relay from Choti Chopad to Tripolia Bazaar via Sangeneri Gate which covering around 2kms. news 24 (video news) and other newspapers including Rajasthan Patrikar, Dainik Bhaskar have done the coverage of the events. Left Jaipur at 2am to reach Bhopal via Kota.

12th July: Unhappening day at Kota. Had to wait for a day to catch train to Bhopal the same night of arriving Kota. Booked a hotel and booked a ticket to Bhopal via train. Left Kota at 2am due to 3hours delay of Jodhpur-Bhopal Express.

13th July:

Reached Bhopal at noon by the time the program has finished. Did some photo shoot with Ashok Patil, Secretary of Buddhist Society of India and others at Karuna Budh Vihar, Near Jain Mandir, Bhopal. Left Bhopal around 6pm to Ahmedabad via Rajkot Express train.

14th July:

Reached Ahmedabad early in the morning around 8. Met Jyotikar ji with Baroda Students at Train Station. Left for Vadodara right away by bus with students. Reached Vadodara at around 2pm and started a relay and photo sessions with media around 5pm at Maharaja Sayaji Rao University Campus. Around ten different media people were present. Booked bus to Mumbai and flight from Mumbai on 16th morning.

15th July: Mumbai Relay

It was done in haste and in urgent. Called Kalianpur through whom got Metok’s number. Met Metok, a student in St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. Discussed the things and got the police permission late and called media around 7pm. TOI, Indian Express, Asian Age, ETV and others were present. Four Tibetan and 2 Indians did the relay at Azad Maidan to Central Railway Station. Few metres distance relay.

16th July: Kochi Relay

Left Mumbai at around 7:15 am to reach Kochi, Kerala around 8 via Air Deccan. Reached Kochi, Lobsang la and Namgyal la, business men came to pick me up to a hotel room, Saas Hotel in Kochi. Had Breakfast with them and rested for some time. Met JDU Kochi president, Mr.A S Radhakrishnan and other people and discussed the event.

Started Relay at around 5:30pm after Mr. S V Krishna Iyer, former Supreme Court Judge and former home minister of Kerala officially lighting the Freedom Torch at his office in Sathgamena followed by speeches from Mr. A S Radhakrishnan, JDU Kerala President; Mr. Thampan Thomas, Ex. M.P., H.M.S. All India President; Sreedharan Therambil, Chairman of human rights samithi , Kerala State and other JDU executives include V N Chandra Senan, Ousep Anto and M P Joy. Dozens of media people gathered at the spot. Started relaying for 3kms from Sathgamena to M.G. road about 2kms. Small speeches were given by each people after the oil lamp was lit on the pavement to represent hope and support for Tibetan cause. Finished the program around 6pm. Reached the Ernakulam Train Station at 7pm for Chennai Mail to reach Chennai.

17th July, 2008: Chennai Relay

Asha Reddy ji and Tennor came to pick me up at Railway Station, Chennai Eknore. Rested for some time. Discussed the things and made press release and things to be released. Everthing was ready by the time we left at the spot. Did some repairing work for the torch. Tibetan students and Tibet supporters in Chennai welcomes the Tibetan Freedom Torch, relays from Monroe Statue, Anna Salai to State Guest House, Wallajah Salai about 3-4kms. Photo sessions before the relay started. Everybody present wore White T-Shirts and short pants. After reaching the spot, Sang Memang Langlu, Tse Mey Yonten, Tibetan and Indian National Anthem. The event was simple, peaceful yet effective and powerful. Left Chennai by 11pm.

18th July,2008: Bangalore Relay

Reached Bangalore around 5:30am. Made Press Release and discussed about the program with RTYC Bangalore executives. The relay is scheduled at 5pm from Banappa park, Majestic to Gandhi Statue, M G Road covering around 3kms. The program is jointly organized by different Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and Regional Women’s Association in the vicinity of South India. Around 200 people from heads of different organizations and members, students, business men and women, employees and others. One Indian group performed music and dance at the Gandhi Statue, M G road. Around 10 medias highlighted the event. It lasted about 2 hours guarded by police men and women.

19th July, 2008: Hyderabad Relay

Around 11:30 the relay started at Goshala near Hussain Sagar where H.Holiness consecrated the Buddha’s Statue. Around 60 people joined the relay. Students of RTYC Hyderabad, FOT member Dr. M N Rajesh, SFT member, local Tibetan business people, Leaders and members of Jai Bharat organization and local Indians relayed the 2kms from Goshala to Inder Park. They all ran this small distance and gathered at Inder park where they hold small function. The function began with national anthem of Tibet and India followed by speeches and H.Holiness prayer ‘Tsemey-yonten. I was asked to brief the event with introduction of Tibetan Freedom Torch. Around 10 media people were present. The whole event lasted about 2hrs.

20th July,2008: Nagpur Relay

The opening ceremony began at Dhiksha Bhumi with scarf ceremony to the statues of Buddha statue and Dr. B R Ambedkar, then National anthem of Tibetan and Indian, followed by Oath at about 1:15pm. The relay got started at around 1:30pm from Dhiksha Bhumi towards RBI Square via Lokmat Square/Chowk extending till 3:00 pm. More than 40 people joined the event including students of Nagpur University. Among the presence were Mr. Puram Meshram, Dy. Registrar, Nagpur University; Mr. Rabindra Singh Babra, Congress member; Mr. Jai Kumar Ramteke, Vice president Youth congress. ITFS, Nagpur; RTYC and RTWA, Bhandara jointly organized the relay and event.

21st July, 2008: Raipur

The small relay was conducted at National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur. Students in the engineering college from different states of India jointly welcomed the torch in Raipur. The event took half an hour for the completion and later had little time discussing the Tibet Issue.

22nd July, 2008: Bubaneshwar Relay

At around 5:30pm, the event started with the welcoming of the torch with dozens of people with polices and medias awaiting the event just outside the Ram Mandir. After the gathering, the photo shoots took place after which the relay got started and the march went on for nearly an hour till Post Master General Office, Vidhan Sabha infront of legislative assembly of Orissa via Lower Janpath and Master Canteen and finished at P M G. The procession was followed by anthems and prayers. The whole event took about one and a half hours time.

23rd July, 2008: Ranchi Relay

Only two people were there, Anil Kumar, ITFS and Amar Nath Raj, Founder, ITFS and presently Gen. Secretary, Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch, Jharkhand. The press conference was conducted at a hall in Ranchi with around 10 media. It rained cats and dogs outside. The conference went smoothly.

24th July, 2008: Kolkata

The previous day there was press conference. No events took place. People from Gangtok, Sikkim, especially RTWA executives and member came to join the relay. We all stayed at Metro-Politan Hotel, Drakers lane; looks good from outside yet world apart once walk inside the lodge. Lots of street foods and Chandni Bars and Hotels nearby.

25th July, 2008: Kolkata Relay

People from different groups, Tibetans, Nepalis, Indians, all gathered at Academy of Fine Arts at around 2pm to welcome the Tibetan Freedom Torch and relayed together for 5kms distance Torch relay of 1hour till Metro Channel via Maidan.The relay organized by Advocate Ruby Mukherjee of Ganasamannay; SFT, Kolkata; RTWA, Gangtok and various other groups and supporters and total of not less than 150 joined the relay. The peaceful relay went on with slogans and patriotic songs. At Metro Channel, small stage was set up where all of us sang National anthems and songs and raised slogans after which young guys of SFT, Kolkata, presented a small skit. All the media started taking the pictures once the play got started. The atmosphere was tense and dramatic. Chinese Uniforms beating red robed monks and suddenly all the media taking shots of the dramatic short play. The whole event lasted till 4:00pm. It was a success.

26th July, 2008: Siliguri Relay

After reaching at the New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri early in the morning, I was to aboard outside railways station. One guy was awaiting me at the railways station with his driver and white jeep. We directly moved to Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association Monastery and School campus, Salugara where banners hanging everywhere welcoming the Tibetan Freedom Torch. Dozens of cars, jeeps and small trucks ready to relay. Hundreds of people gathered at the ground where H.Holiness the Dalai Lama once gave Kalachakra Initiation. Sonam Lhundup, gen. secretary, HBCA, was busy telling people to go here and there, do this and that and all. The procession started around 10:30am from Malguri, Siliguri with dozens of camera men and media people taking shots to prepare the next morning newspaper. Then the press started asking questions to the coordinators and representatives of different organizations and groups. The 7kms distance torch relay got started at 11am from Malguri to Salugara. The roads full of vehicles, people and animals. Around 500 people joined the relay. Actually what happened was people from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok were to join the relay the same day but due to some problems at their localities, they were not able to join the relay. Otherwise around 2000 people were expected to join the relay. Then at end of relay, the closing ceremony took place with speeches and thanks giving ceremony. Among the relayers were sportspersonalities, actors and actresses, dignitaries from Mr. Sherab Tharchin,M.P. TGiE; representatives from Tibetan settlements in Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Ravangla, Sonada; SFT, TYC, HIMCAT, HBCA, ITFS and school staffs and students and common men and women.

28th July, 2008: Patna, Bihar Relay

Tens of people from different walks of life joined the Tibetan Freedom Torch relay in Patna. The 4kms distance torch relay, between 11:00am to 12:30pm, from JP Memorial at IT Golamber to Gandhi Memorial at Gandhi Maidan was joined by prominent people from different walks of life. The relay was coordinated by ITFS, Patna, Bihar. Among the relay were prominent people from Mr. Ramchandra Khan, Chairman, ITFS, Patna Chapter, Bihar; Dr. Gopal Pd. Sinha, noted physician, chairman of Citizen’s Forum for National Integration, Patna; Mr. Sanjai Upadhyay, National Director, Nirman Kala Manch, Professors, Mr. Manoj Kumar, ITFS and social activists were present. After the procession Mr. Ramchandra Khan proceeded with the introduction of Tibetan Freedom Torch and his views on Tibetan people’s rights and Tibet issue. Dozens of media spotlighted the events.

29th July, 2008: Bodh Gaya.

The relay started at around 10:30am from 80ft Buddha Statue where the lighting of the torch took place and several media people spotlighted the event. After three rounds of circumambulation by 50 people including monks and nuns, Tibetans and Indians, marched 2kms distance towards Maha Bodhi Temple. Small prayer ceremony was done by monks and nuns to benefit all. Prof. Rana Pratap, HOD Geography Department, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar conceded the event with speeches and followed by word of thanks from myself and Namgyal Monastery and Kirti Monastery people. The event finished by 12 noon.

30th July: Sarnath, Varanasi Relay
The Relay started at 5:30pm from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi with the few runners passing the torch one to other, reaching the Mahabodhi Temple within few minutes. Once reaching the Mahabodhi Temple, huge crowd of around 400 awaiting the Torch with medias all around. The relayed slowed down its pace while music band played the music and the opera or dance group performing the fantastic Opera Dance. At the end point, they have set up the Stage to deliver speeches. Eminent people from Vice Chancelor of CIHTS and other high ranking Indian personalities and professors delivered their speeches. The program ended till 7:30pm with everything from relay to the end of the speeches going smoothly.

31st July: Lucknow, UP
The Relay started from the Residency, old monument in the city of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar pradesh around 4:15pm. Among the presence were Mr. Hemendra Pratap Singh, President, Lucknow Journalists’ Association and executive member of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch; Mr. Sanjay Shukla, executive member, Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch; Mr. Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan, Advocate, High Court, Lucknow and so many media personalities and advocates.The Relay finished around 5:15pm. Around 50people gathered and joined the relay.

1st August: Dehradun, Uttranchal
Once reaching the Gandhi Park in the heart of Dehradun, huge crowd of above 1000 Tibetans and Indians warmly waiting for the TFT. Speeches were delivered by different heads and leaders of different organisations. The mayor of Dehradun gave his eloquent speeches whole heartedly welcoming the Tibetan Freedom Torch and assuring his support for Tibet cause and Tibetan people’s rights and few high ranking Indians presented their speeches. I presented the statement and oath. Huge crowd from women to men, kids to old, all started running the 5kms distance from Gandhi park to Gandhi park via fewsquars/chowks. The event was full of drama, energy, slogans, songs and sweats. That was it. The event started at 11 am and lasted for 3 and half hours till 2:30pm.

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