Tibetan Independence Torch Relay in New York
RTYC, NY & NJ[Monday, April 28, 2008 14:28]
By Tsering Palden

The torch lighting ceremony took place in Union Square with Venerable Palden Gyatso (centre), Jamyang Norbu (right) and 'goddesses'.
New York, April 27 - Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters gathered in New York for the next leg of the Tibetan Independence Torch relay today wearing 'Rangzen track suits' and carrying Tibetan National flags and banners. The torch lighting ceremony took place in Union Square with Venerable Palden Gyatso, Jamyang Norbu and 'goddesses'. The goddesses' roles were played by young Tibetan girls dressed in 'Lhamo Ringha' who sang the traditional Opera song. The goddesses then passed the torch on to the first runner Jamyang Norbu, a Tibetan Rangzen activist and a writer. Thus began the torch relay in New York which was passed onto the hands of both current and numerous Ex Executives of RTYC, NY & NJ. The torch was carried through 6th Avenue and cheered on by several onlookers who shouted with the runners – 'Free, Free, Free Tibet'.

Tibetans and supporters gathered in New York for the Tibetan Independence Torch relay wearing 'Rangzen track suits' and carrying Tibetan National flags and banners.
Venerable Palden Gyatso was the guest speaker. He mentioned how important it is to keep the freedom struggle alive. His autobiography 'Fire under the Snow' was written during his exile years after 33 years in Chinese prison and labor camps. This has been made into a documentary film released just last week in New York. Jamyang Norbu mentioned that the recent demonstrations by the Tibetans in Tibet were for the freedom and independence of Tibet and for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He cited several evidences as proof that Tibet was an independent country before the Chinese invasion in 1949 from maps to Tibetan national flag among others.

The introductory speech was given by RTYC President, Tsering Palden who provided information that Tibet was an independent country until the Chinese invasion in 1949.
Tibet had its own national flag, postage, laws and treaties made with other nations. Maura Moynihan, daughter of the late Senator Moynihan who was a personal friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a strong supporter of Tibetan cause also stressed on continuing and pushing this momentum of Rangzen. SFT Deputy Director, Tenzin Dorjee gave an example from Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent struggle with 4 stages - first they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. The Tibetan freedom struggle is at the 3rd stage. There was also a speech by a Taino Indian named Wako Nash. Ex-RTYC Presidents Tashi Wangdu and Tenzin Kalden spoke about how distinct the people of the two nations –China and Tibet were. They all stressed the importance of keeping the Tibetan freedom struggle alive.

The torch was passed onto the hands of both current and numerous Ex Executives of RTYC, NY & NJ.
'Hell No, No Freedom, No Happiness' is the title of the song sung by RTYC executive Namgyal Yeshi. The title of the song speaks for itself. In the end, there was skit organized by RTYC Executive Sonam Wangdu, based on the situation in Tibet and how the Olympic Games in Beijing can be harmful for Tibet. Most of the actors were young Tibetans. This skit made the audience very emotional and brought tears to their eyes. The concluding remarks were given by RTYC VP Pema Gyalpo.