2-week bike trek supports freedom

Tibetan monks, youths and supporters gathered Saturday in front of the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., to protest China's 45-year occupation of Tibet. The demonstrators listened to speeches, chanted slogans and sang nationalistic songs calling for Tibetan independence. \nFollowing the demonstration, 16 men, including two Buddhist monks, embarked on an arduous two- week bicycle journey. Their final destination is Toronto, Canada, where April 24 they will welcome the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is scheduled to deliver an address the next day at the Sky Dome arena, home of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. \nIn 1950, the Dalai Lama was appointed the leader of Tibet at the age of 15. In 1959, China annexed Tibet and the Dalai Lama was forced into exile. The Dalai Lama settled in Dharamsala, India, where he established and continues to run the Tibetan government in exile.\nLarry Gerstein, professor of counseling psychology at Ball State University, organized the demonstration in Washington, D. C. as well as the bicycle trek. Gerstein said he took up the cause of Tibetan independence after meeting Taktser Rintoche (also known as Thubten Norbu), retired professor of Tibetan studies at IU and the older brother of the Dalai Lama, at an Indianapolis library in 1987. \nRintoche had delivered a presentation about Tibet and Gerstein, who was in the audience, said he had been deeply moved. After introducing himself to Rintoche, the two became close friends and later founded what came to be known as the International Tibet Independence Movement. Their first long distance protest was a march from Bloomington to Indianapolis in 1995. Gerstein said during the marches, the two often stopped along the way and hosted presentations at colleges, schools and churches. \n"One of the most important things is to educate people about what has happened to Tibet and what the implications for us and the rest of society are," said Gerstein. \nGerstein added the protest treks have become a hallmark of Tibetan defiance to Chinese occupation. Rintoche's son, Jigme Norbu, is among the cyclists. Norbu said it was important the Tibetan youth continue the movement for independence and the bicycle trek was an important way to raise awareness about the campaign. Norbu said none of the cyclists were professionals, but some of the participants did train for the trek. \n"The success of the ride is based on the mental aspect, not the physical. Physically we are going to suffer, but mentally, if we all support each other we can overcome," said Norbu.\nOne of the other cyclists, Tashi Dorjee, said the bicycle trek was not just a demonstration for Tibetan independence, but also an act of goodwill for all of humanity and a hope for world peace.\n"We are so busy in our lives, that to do something like this is inspiring and moving," Dorjee said.\n-- Contact staff writer Rami Chami at rchami@indiana.edu.