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Date: Friday, October 2, 2009 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm Location: Yerba Buena Gardens, SF http://www.worldmarchusa.net/ This event will take place on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, Friday, October 2, in downtown SF from 5 pm - 7 pm. We plan to meet at Yerba Buena Gardens and march down Mission St. to the Ferry Building. At the statue of Gandhi on Pier One we will celebrate by having cultural presentations, speakers, and music from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm Location: Berkeley Bart station CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL at the downtown Berkeley Bart station 7-9pm. Please come to TANC office at 4pm to make some Dhondup Wangchen placards.

Date: Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 12:00pm to 3:00pm What: Protest the "Celebration of the People's Republic of China," Who: All Tibetans and supporters Where: Cow Palace (arena), Geneva Ave & Santos St, San Francisco, CA 94134 (close to Daly City)Transportation from the East Bay will be provided to all those who RSVP as soon as possible to 510-666-1355. The rented van/bus will leave from El Cerrito Plaza at 11:30am on Sunday and will bring people back in the afternoon. When: This Sunday, Sept 20, from 1pm-4pm Why: October 1st will mark the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and, needless to say, the Chinese government has planned many high-profile events in cities all over China and around the world to "celebrate" their 60 years of rule and spread more propaganda and lies about the "peaceful progress" they have made. In the U.S., huge celebrations are taking place both in Washington DC and San Francisco on Sunday, Sept 20. This is strategic timing for the Chinese, since Hu Jintao will be arriving in New York on Sept 21 and will address the United Nations general assembly (the first time ever a Chinese president has done so). The San Francisco Bay Area is home to the largest overseas Chinese population in the world and this will likely be the largest PRC anniversary celebration to take place outside of China. In light of this, it is crucial that Tibetans and supporters take this opportunity to stand up and tell the truth of the Chinese Communist Party's 60 years of occupation and persecution. We must send a message to Hu Jintao and China that our protests will continue to disrupt their propaganda efforts, and show the rest of the world that opposition to China's rule in Tibet is stronger than ever.

An adequate health-care system is part of an ethical society. Maintaining good health has been recognized as a prerequisite for optimizing individuals’ educational potentials. Provision of community health care as a basic need protects against future civil unrest and supports peace. A critical link to the survival of the ancient Tibetan culture is the health of Tibetans.There are approximately 150,000 Tibetan refugees residing across India, with the majority living in the north, northeast and south. Many other Tibetan refugees have taken up residence in Nepal and Bhutan. There are serious inadequacies in infrastructure and access to medicines and healthcare workers among Tibetans and Tibetans-in-exile, including the monastic population. The burden of illness in this society is characterized by diarrheal disease, skin infections, respiratory infections, fevers, and especially among the elderly, joint pains and cardiovascular problems. The rates of tuberculosis are extremely high. The Tibetan-Himalayan Healthcare Project has been created to improve the health of Tibetans and other communities in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. The Project identifies high-quality health care facilities and projects suffering from a lack of financial resources and raises funds to facilitate their mission of providing essential healthcare. It integrates both Tibetan and western medicine and culturally sensitive measures as needed. A number of physicians and professionals with extensive experience in medical relief work and healthcare are now working with the project to ensure that your contributions are efficiently distributed to healthcare facilities and projects in the Tibetan-Himalayan region struggling from a lack of financial resources to continue their good work. Dr. Joseph Lux, an infectious disease physician and psychiatrist, the Tibetan-Himalayan Healthcare founder, and Tracey Simon, a social worker with extensive experiences in healthcare, are coordinating this effort. Numerous other professionals are supporting the project. The Project is being launched with a focus on two monastic organizations—the Samten Tse Charitable Foundation and the Sera Mey Monastery in India to support their monastery clinics, community healthcare, and social service related work. Additional organizations will be added to the list of recipients in the future. The Tibetan-Himalayan Healthcare Project is a project of the Bay Area Friends of Tibet, which ensures that 95 per cent of proceeds raised for the project are used to support the healthcare project’s needs. Dr. Joseph Lux and Tracey Simon of New York are co-coordinators of the project.

A celebration of peace, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, human rights, & community Hundreds of people attended the 23rd Annual Tibet Day fair held at Ft. Mason, San Francisco on Saturday, December 6 organized by the Bay Area Friends of Tibet and cosponsored by the Tibetan Association of Northern California. Highlighting the day were cultural performances by Tibetan child-star Tenzin Kunsel and Friends of Tibet speakers, authors Jane Bay and Patrick Mahoney. The authors donated their books, Love and Loss, and Tibet: Lamplight Unto a Darkened World respectively, to the Bay Area Friends of Tibet and spoke eloquently about the preciousness of the Tibetan people and culture. The event was graced by representatives from Speaker Nancy Pelosi's and Congresswoman Jackie Speier's offices who read statements from these US public officials. Speaker Pelosi statement noted that the "Chinese government has not lived up to its promises to improve human rights." and that the "United States has a special responsibility to promote values of liberty, equality, and human rights that we hold dear. "I look forward to working with President Barack Obama on behalf of human rights and religious freedom of the people of China and Tibet." Congresswoman Jackie Speier's statement noted that the "deplorable condition and treatment of the Tibetan people shocks our global sensibilities...It is absolutely at the forefront of our U.S. foreign policy on human rights that we continue , with fierce determination, to promote a free Tibet." Their full statements are copied below. San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly also spoke and reiterated his support for right of the Tibetan people to self-determination. Supervisor Daly had been instrumental earlier in the year to sponsor a human rights resolution critical of the Chinese government in the lead up to the Beijing Olympic Torch relay that came to San Francisco on April 9 and was a strong vocal supporter and demonstrator for the Tibetan people during the protests that ensued. The San Francisco city official was warmly welcomed at Tibet Day 2008. All day there were several entertaining musical and dance performances by members of the Tibetan Association of Northern California and a screening of Rosemary Rawcliffe's A Quiet Revolution. Hundreds of people sampled Tibetan momos and Tibetan and human rights activists tabled information about various facets of the just cause of Tibet. Over 30 local Tibetan business or Tibetan and human rights organizations were represented at the event. The event also included a 30 minute presentation celebrating 25 years of Bay Area Friends of Tibet's service to the just cause of Tibet. Founding BAFoT member Jigme Yugay Raptentsetsang spoke about the early days in 1983 when BAFoT was formed after the Chinese had committed some atrocities in Tibet. Founder Philip Ladenla spoke about three important conferences that BAFoT had organized in the first decade of the organization including in 1988: Five Point Peace Plan, 1990: Endangered Tibet, and in 1992 and important conference, Tibet: The Road to Independence. Julia Shepardson gave a detailed account on the Tibetan resettlement project of the 1990s in which BAFoT resettled 67 Tibetans and their families to the San Francisco bay area, often with much media coverage. Another person recalled the numerous Tibet Day cultural fairs, Tibetan National Uprising Day commemorations and several other events that BAFoT had organized during the 90's such as a conference that hosted three Nobel Peace Prize winners including the Dalai Lama and Rigoberto Menchu. Former BAFoT President Diane Hume explained a lot of her volunteer work for Tibet including providing much digital artwork for Tibetan events. Finally, current BAFoT president Giovanni Vassallo reviewed the successes of 2008 Olympics campaign. But first he recalled BAFoT's 25 Years of Service including organizing 23 Tibet Days, 24 Tibetan National Uprising Day Commemorations, 13 Observances of the Missing Panchen Lama's Birthday, 24 Himalayan Fair tabling and presence at numerous community fairs, co-organizing visits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, other numerous protests and candlelight vigil and letter writing campaigns, continued support for local Tibetans and local San Francisco Bay Area Government outreach. Then he spoke about his attendance and results of the Special International Tibet Support Group meeting that was convened in India 29 November - 1 December that he attended. Further, he spoke about the way forward for the Bay Area Friends of Tibet in the context of the International Tibet Support Network's post-Olympics strategic plan. The plan calls for the public to Put Tibetans first, Radically increase government pressure on China to provide concrete support for Tibet Put the spotlight on key Chinese officials responsible for policy in Tibet, and targeted Chinese outreach. The proposals received a warm reception from the crowd of Tibetans and non-Tibetan supporters. Proceeds from the event were earmarked to help BAFoT continue its mission to educate the public about Tibet as well as to the Tibetan Community Center of Northern California's capital campaign. Lucasfilm, Ltd., Committee of 100 for Tibet, Third Eye Travel, and the Dalai Lama Foundation were fiscal sponsors of the day-long event. The organizers thanked the sponsors and the many volunteers for their important contributions.

Bay Area Friends of Tibet · 1991–1993 New York Times coverage announcing the 1990 Immigration Act provision for 1,000 Tibetans A Door Opens In 1990, a historic provision tucked into the U.S. Immigration Act offered something Tibetan refugees had almost stopped hoping for: a path to America. One thousand visas — no government funding, no refugee benefits for three years — just a notarized job offer and a sponsor willing to say: we will take care of you. Washington had long been reluctant to grant Tibetans refugee status, wary of provoking Beijing. China had claimed sovereignty over Tibet since its military occupation in 1950, and in the thirty years prior, only about 500 Tibetans had entered the United States. The new law, introduced by Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, did not use the word "refugee" at all — but it opened the door. The Bay Area Friends of Tibet, a small advocacy organization, stepped up. With roughly 50 Tibetans already living in the Bay Area, they accepted responsibility for resettling 100 of the 1,000 allocated immigrants. What followed was a two-year effort fueled entirely by volunteers, donors, sympathetic employers, and the Tibetan community itself. The Story in the Press Peninsula Times Tribune, March 1, 1992 — Jigme Yugay, co-founder of Bay Area Friends of Tibet, pictured at his Palo Alto home "Trying to tell the world of Tibet's pain — from his home in Palo Alto." The Times Tribune Q&A with Jigme Yugay, 1992 The Law That Changed Everything Under the 1990 Immigration Act, 1,000 visas were made available to "qualified displaced Tibetans" — natives of Tibet, their children and grandchildren who had been living continuously in India or Nepal. The Tibetans would receive permanent residence and work authorization, but no federal benefits for three years. Each applicant needed a notarized job offer letter and a notarized sponsor letter — placing the entire burden of resettlement on private citizens and community organizations. The program had a 1993 completion date. Immigrants would be grouped at ten sites around the country including New York City, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Madison, Ithaca, and Amherst. The Bay Area cluster aimed to bring 100 Tibetans to the peninsula and East Bay. "In Search of Sanctuary by the Bay" — San Francisco Examiner coverage of Tibetan refugees arriving in the Bay Area The People Behind the Project The steering committee drove the effort: Phurpa (Phil) Ladenla, Ed Lazar, Saundra McPherson, Kim Morris, Fred and Julia Shepardson, and Jigme Yugay. They were supported by an advisory board that included Joan Baez, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Tom Lantos, David Brower, Ram Dass, Galen Rowell, and Tibetan spiritual leaders Lama Kunga Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. East Side Story — Lama Kunga Rinpoche, who fled Tibet in 1959 and founded the Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center in Kensington "Once Tibetan civilization was good like seedlings. It sprouted out and rooted well. I think it will grow again when Tibetans spread like seedlings on a global scale." — Lama Kunga Rinpoche Julia and Fred Shepardson of Portola Valley — Country Almanac, February 1992. Julia served as project coordinator; Fred headed the employment committee. Raising the Resources With no government funds available, the project raised money through high-profile events and foundation grants. Benefit events included a Philip Glass concert, a film festival at the Castro Theater, an evening at the Metropolitan Club, Tibet Day in Santa Cruz, and lectures across the peninsula. Foundation support came from the Koret Foundation, the Jewish Community Endowment, the American Himalayan Foundation, the Fred Gellert Foundation, the San Francisco Foundation, and the Palo Alto Kiwanis Club. Finding Jobs in a New Land Every immigrant required a notarized job offer before they could receive a visa — which meant the project had to secure employment commitments in advance. Fred Shepardson led the employment committee, reaching out to small businesses and appealing to larger companies. Employers who opened their doors included: Chez Panisse · Hyatt Hotels · Alza Corporation · Zia Cosmetics · Zachary's Chicago Pizza · REI · The Grateful Dead Ticket Office · Monterey Market · John Muir Hospital · Stars Restaurant · Whole Earth Access · Hillcrest School · Cliff's Variety · The Stratford · Salem Home · Nut Tree · The Art Peddler · MussiArt · Gitane Painting · Wellex · Brilliant Color Cards "Tibetans Leave Himalayas For New Beginnings in US" — India-West. The first batch of 27 Tibetan immigrants settled in the Bay Area. Arriving: New Lives, New Stories The first wave of Bay Area arrivals included Tsultrim Dolma, a former Tibetan schoolteacher who had taught in Dharamsala for eleven years. She arrived in Oakland and found work as a housekeeper at the Hyatt Regency. Dhondup Tsering, a 35-year-old, meditated daily in a small room in Kensington before an altar bearing pictures of the Dalai Lama and Lord Buddha — while living in the home of his American sponsors. "Tibetans Adapt to Life in Bay Area" — San Francisco Examiner / Chronicle. "Tibet Refugees Get New Home in Bay Area — 7 to arrive today under special immigration status." West County Times, May 25, 1992 — Dhondup Tsering meditates before an altar in his temporary home in Kensington "We have freedom here. You don't have to fear what you say here." — Karma Tenzin, Tibetan immigrant Half Moon Bay Review, February 1993 — "Tibetan Dorji Describes His Goals." Tamdin Dorji arrived after a 22-hour flight via Tokyo, found construction work, then a grocery job in Oakland. "Hope Incarnate — Despite hardships, Tibetans embrace life in a new land." Vintul Rinpoche, proclaimed an incarnate lama at 8 months old, came to the U.S. in January. New Lives in Northern California Sacramento Bee, October 9, 1992 — "Despite Tibet's pull, they build new lives in north state." Tagudh Youngdoung, Lobsang Dharchen and Tashi Samdup settled in Vacaville, working at a pharmaceutical factory. "Sad Memories of Home" — Tsewang Youngdoung can't forget the way the Chinese have treated the Tibetan people. "Tibetan Immigrants Make a New Life in U.S." Vacaville. "We have freedom here," said Karma Tenzin. "You don't have to fear what you say here." The Volunteer Network Behind every immigrant was a web of volunteer support. Sponsors provided housing for the critical first three months — required since the Tibetans were ineligible for welfare benefits in their early years. Tutors taught English and computer skills. Nurses and doctors offered pro-bono care. Airport volunteers were on hand for every arrival. The "clustering" approach — resettling members of the same community in geographic proximity — helped immigrants support each other through the adjustment. Dedicated volunteers included: Chaksampa, Nancy Ableser, Gyalden Yuthok, Jeanne Herbert, Christine Schneider, Lama Kunga Rinpoche, Saundra McPherson, Tashi Norbu, Cyndie Zikmund, Barbara Kosner, Nora Sage Murray, Tara Sullivan, Nancy Nielsen RN, Dr. Marc Leiberman, Jamyang Lama, Nancy Harris MD, Barry & Nancy Weavers, Jamyang Singe, Greg Alling, Joseph Terbitian, Lionel Biron, and many others. Tibetan immigrants and project volunteers at San Francisco International Airport — the Tibetan national flag held proudly as new arrivals land for the first time in the United States Sponsors — Families Who Opened Their Homes Nancy Ableser · Ellen & Robert Ansel · Fadhilla Bradley (3) · Margo Brumme · Carol Fields (2) · Dianna Goodman · Lucille Green · James Harder (3) · Lobsang Gyaltsen (2) · Mark & Elizabeth Henderson · Jeanne & Herbie Herbert (2) · Eva Herzer · David & Barbara Hunt · Bill & Dolma Kane · Jamyang Lama · Patti & Lyle Larson · Melanie & Marc Lewart · Dianne Libero · Henry & Linda McHenry · Bonnie Mintun & Tim Hoban · Lucas Myers (2) · George Nandor · Jan Potts (2) · Liz Rezner & Bennett Dubiner (2) · Thomas Rosin & Gail Wread · Denny Sargent · Alan & Laurie Senauke (2) · Steven Sklar & Sharon Pollack · Fred & Julia Shepardson · Kendra & Huston Smith (3) · Susan Sopcak & Bob Spence (2) · David Spitzer · Pastor Ross Merkel — St. Paul Lutheran (5) · Francis St. Amant & Nancy McClure · Carol Sundell · Marc & Tsewang Tatz (2) · Jan Tiura & Joe Brennan (2) · Lisa Tracy · Margo & Gordon Tyndall (2) · Judy Weitzner · Cindy Zikmund & Dave McMahan Community — August 21, 1993 By the summer of 1993 — the program's final year — Bay Area Tibetans had formed a genuine community. This photograph, taken August 21, 1993, shows dozens of Tibetan immigrants and their American supporters gathered together: the tangible result of two years of extraordinary collective effort. Bay Area Tibetan community and supporters, August 21, 1993 — the community the resettlement project built A Legacy of Refuge The Tibetan U.S. Resettlement Project closed in 1993 having demonstrated something remarkable: a small, motivated community organization could accomplish what government programs would not attempt — and it did so by building genuine human relationships between Tibetan immigrants and Bay Area residents. Many of those who arrived between 1992 and 1993 are still in the Bay Area today, part of the Tibetan diaspora that Lama Kunga Rimpoche once compared to seedlings — scattered by occupation, but rooted wherever they land, waiting to grow again. Bay Area Friends of Tibet · Tibetan Resettlement Project · 1991–1993 Original Slides of Tibetan Resettlement Prject

Experience a unique and enchanting Saturday with members of the Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) and the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC). BAFoT and TANC are pleased to invite you to our celebration of all things Tibetan in San Francisco. Discover the 3rd largest Tibetan community in the United States. Tibet Day is the Bay Area's annual tradition and celebration of Tibetan art, politics, culture, and MUSIC! Come enjoy the unique people and special culture of Tibet with us and celebrate BAFoT’s 25th Anniversary. Jane Bay will be giving a brief talk sometime between 12:30pm to 3pm at the 23rd Annual Tibet Day Celebration at Fort Mason. Jane will be available to autograph copies of her latest book, LOVE & LOSS - A Story About Life, Death, and Rebirth throughout the afternoon. All proceeds from the sale of LOVE & LOSS will be donated to the Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT), a non-sectarian, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Come and experience a unique and enchanting day of all things Tibetan in San Francisco, the third largest Tibetan community in the United States. Tibet Day is the Bay Area’s annual tradition and celebration of Tibetan art, culture, politics and music. The world-renowned Tibetan child-star, Kunsel, will perform at 12 Noon and at 3:00 PM in the Golden Gate Room in Building A. Kunsel sings her own renditions of classical and contemporary Tibetan songs while playing traditional Tibetan musical instruments. Author Patrick Mahoney will speak about his new book, TIBET: Lamplight Unto a Darkened World, The American Delusion, a Parody of Life. He will be available to autograph it. BAFoT President Giovanni Vassallo will return from Delhi, India and give a briefing on his attendance at a Special International Tibet Support Group meeting facilitated by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile to brief the members of the worldwide Tibet movement of the present situation inside Tibet, the outcome of the preceding six-day special meeting of Tibetans in exile and to strategize, strengthen and to carry forward the Tibet movement. The 23rd Annual Tibet Day will feature delicious Tibetan cuisine, author presentations, Tibetan medicine and health booths, slide shows, and presentations of traditional Tibetan music and dance, including a performance by the Tibetan Association of Northern California Children’s Chorus. Hundreds of beautiful handicrafts, Tibetan thangka paintings, jewelry, clothing, rugs, and ritual objects will be on sale. There will be panel discussions, speeches, movies, and other educational activities and presentations about various aspects of Tibet and the Tibetan people. Free cake will be distributed to celebrate BAFoT’s 25th Anniversary. Proceeds from Tibet Day will go toward helping BAFoT continue to support education about Tibet and varied assistance to Tibetans, as well as towards the capital campaign project to establish the Tibetan Community Center of Northern California (TCCNC).The mission of TCCNC is to empower Tibetan-Americans of all ages to thrive in the United States, while promoting the continuity and development of Tibetan social, cultural heritage and artistic traditions. The center aims to provide a wide range of social services and educational, recreational, and cultural programming to the Tibetan and Northern California communities. Email us for more information Co-Sponsors: BAFoT, TANC with other SF Team Tibet groups such as San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Committee of 100 for Tibet, and the Students for a Free Tibet

The 22nd Annual Tibet Day’ was held in San Francisco on Saturday, December 15, 2007. The event- “Tibet Day 2007”, was co-organised by the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) and the Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) as well as San Francisco Team Tibet (SFTT). SFTT is a coalition that includes TANC, BAFoT, The Committee of 100 for Tibet (C100), Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), Cyphertown, and the San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress (SFTYC). Tashi Dhondup George earlier reported Phayul.com that hundreds of Bay Area residents were treated with some authentic Tibetan music, food, arts and crafts at the celebratory event. The event also included a panel discussion on Tibet campaign strategies in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A statement from the United States Congressman Tom Lantos was read out by his Human Rights Special Assistant Margery Farrar at the Tibet Day function. Following is the full text of Mr Tom Lantos’ statement: Statement of Congressman Tom LantosTibet Day, December 15, 2007San Francisco, California Just last week, the world community joined together to mark International Human Rights Day, an occasion that affirms the universal human rights of every man, woman and child. The goal of this annual event is to commemorate the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly nearly 60 years ago. Just like the powerful symbol of Amnesty International, which is a candle surrounded by barbed wire, this annual celebration demonstrates that even in the darkest corners of the earth, there are those who are willing to shine a powerful light on human rights abuses. As we stand here today, we are approaching the 60th anniversary of the Chinese government’s forcible takeover of Tibet. Despite this stain on Chinese history, the government in Beijing is busily preparing for the 2008 Summer Olympics, which the International Olympic Committee has chosen them to host. One more anniversary is especially important to me, and I believe to us all. 2007 marks twenty years since His Holiness the Dalai Lama first publicly presented his Five Point Peace Plan for Tibet. He made this presentation in Washington, D.C., after graciously accepting my invitation to attend a meeting of the bipartisan Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which I co-founded in 1983 and continue to co-chair. As we approach these anniversaries, we must ask ourselves serious questions about China’s human rights record, and particularly their actions in Tibet. A review of this record is nothing short of appalling. We find cultural genocide, massive population transfer, and irreparable environmental damage through widespread plundering of natural resources in Tibet. To carry out these policies, while also maximizing economic benefit to its central government, China continues to exercise suffocating bureaucratic control, which prevents Tibetan religious and cultural expression and severely limits Tibetan educational and economic opportunities. The newly built China-Tibet railroad further backs a pervasive Chinese military presence in Tibet, by which China suppresses each outbreak of non-violent protest with immediate arrest, torture, and prison sentences for those civilians, monks and nuns who have dared to protest. China’s human rights infractions are not limited to Tibet. The government has made devil’s bargains with states like Burma and Sudan, adding to the suffering of populations already under siege. Standing in stark contrast to these horrors is the record of peace and justice of my friend the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has tirelessly led efforts to care for tens of thousands of Tibetans who have risked their lives to escape occupied Tibet. He meets every refugee arriving in India, and the Tibet Government in Exile sees to their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter while they become self-sufficient. Unaccompanied children receive support and academic and Tibetan cultural education in children’s villages or monasteries. Recently, His Holiness has encouraged more of these young people to return eventually to Tibet, to help Tibetans at home preserve their culture and their hope. The Dalai Lama has devoted great effort to sharing Tibetan culture with a global audience, and has encouraged other Tibetan teachers to do the same. The result is that during the past sixty years, interest and understanding of kindness and compassion as primary principles for human affairs and government, taught in Tibetan culture, have spread throughout the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama continues to be exceptionally clear about his position on autonomy. Despite many false claims by the Chinese government to the contrary, he aims only for cultural and religious autonomy, and not full independence. These are basic rights of the Tibetan people, and I urge China to grant such autonomy without delay. The past few decades have brought tremendous change for those of us dedicated to addressing the crisis in Tibet. The Dalai Lama has gone from an unwelcome guest at the U.S. State Department to a worldwide celebrity and Nobel Peace Prize winner. He is regularly received by heads of state and other dignitaries. Just this year, in one of the high points of my legislative career, I had the privilege of introducing and, in partnership with Senator Diane Feinstein and others, passing a bill to award the Dalai Lama the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow – the Congressional Gold Medal. These great strides would have been impossible without the constant support of the San Francisco Bay Area Tibet human rights community. It is clear that despite real efforts by the Chinese government to suppress the truth, China is now well known around the world, in kitchens, coffeehouses, and government buildings, for its continuing egregious human rights violations against the Tibetan people and other minority groups. Increasingly, China also is known worldwide for its reprehensible enabling of the juntas in Sudan and Burma in genocidal acts and crimes against humanity toward their own people. Spreading this knowledge is an enormous accomplishment of the world’s Tibetan and wider human rights communities. While we have much to be proud of, there is still much to be done, and we must look forward together. I do not pretend to have a crystal ball, but I can tell you that there is light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. China is becoming engaged in the world community, and has played an increasingly constructive role in Six-Party negotiations to prevent North Korea from continuing its development of nuclear weapons. Right now, today, we have a unique window of opportunity to pressure the Chinese government into reforming their reprehensible human rights record: the approach of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. It is of foremost importance to the Chinese to project a modern, enlightened image during its moment on the world stage, and we must demand real steps forward before, during and after this event. There is real progress to be seen for all of us who have worked hard for twenty years or more to achieve human rights for the people of Tibet, China, and other countries whose crimes against humanity China supports. Yet we can always look for more ways, as the Dalai Lama has suggested, to engage in mutual enlightenment with the good scholars, environmental activists, governmental officials, and business people who can be found among the Chinese people. We will go forward together in 2008. I can promise you that I will work tirelessly to encourage my colleagues in the United States Congress to focus on our human rights goals, and ensure that they never turn away from the people of Tibet. Thank you very much.The 22nd Annual Tibet Day’ was held in San Francisco on Saturday, December 15, 2007. The event- “Tibet Day 2007”, was co-organised by the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) and the Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) as well as San Francisco Team Tibet (SFTT). SFTT is a coalition that includes TANC, BAFoT, The Committee of 100 for Tibet (C100), Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), Cyphertown, and the San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress (SFTYC). Tashi Dhondup George earlier reported Phayul.com that hundreds of Bay Area residents were treated with some authentic Tibetan music, food, arts and crafts at the celebratory event. The event also included a panel discussion on Tibet campaign strategies in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A statement from the United States Congressman Tom Lantos was read out by his Human Rights Special Assistant Margery Farrar at the Tibet Day function. Following is the full text of Mr Tom Lantos’ statement: Statement of Congressman Tom LantosTibet Day, December 15, 2007San Francisco, California Just last week, the world community joined together to mark International Human Rights Day, an occasion that affirms the universal human rights of every man, woman and child. The goal of this annual event is to commemorate the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly nearly 60 years ago. Just like the powerful symbol of Amnesty International, which is a candle surrounded by barbed wire, this annual celebration demonstrates that even in the darkest corners of the earth, there are those who are willing to shine a powerful light on human rights abuses. As we stand here today, we are approaching the 60th anniversary of the Chinese government’s forcible takeover of Tibet. Despite this stain on Chinese history, the government in Beijing is busily preparing for the 2008 Summer Olympics, which the International Olympic Committee has chosen them to host. One more anniversary is especially important to me, and I believe to us all. 2007 marks twenty years since His Holiness the Dalai Lama first publicly presented his Five Point Peace Plan for Tibet. He made this presentation in Washington, D.C., after graciously accepting my invitation to attend a meeting of the bipartisan Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which I co-founded in 1983 and continue to co-chair. As we approach these anniversaries, we must ask ourselves serious questions about China’s human rights record, and particularly their actions in Tibet. A review of this record is nothing short of appalling. We find cultural genocide, massive population transfer, and irreparable environmental damage through widespread plundering of natural resources in Tibet. To carry out these policies, while also maximizing economic benefit to its central government, China continues to exercise suffocating bureaucratic control, which prevents Tibetan religious and cultural expression and severely limits Tibetan educational and economic opportunities. The newly built China-Tibet railroad further backs a pervasive Chinese military presence in Tibet, by which China suppresses each outbreak of non-violent protest with immediate arrest, torture, and prison sentences for those civilians, monks and nuns who have dared to protest. China’s human rights infractions are not limited to Tibet. The government has made devil’s bargains with states like Burma and Sudan, adding to the suffering of populations already under siege. Standing in stark contrast to these horrors is the record of peace and justice of my friend the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has tirelessly led efforts to care for tens of thousands of Tibetans who have risked their lives to escape occupied Tibet. He meets every refugee arriving in India, and the Tibet Government in Exile sees to their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter while they become self-sufficient. Unaccompanied children receive support and academic and Tibetan cultural education in children’s villages or monasteries. Recently, His Holiness has encouraged more of these young people to return eventually to Tibet, to help Tibetans at home preserve their culture and their hope. The Dalai Lama has devoted great effort to sharing Tibetan culture with a global audience, and has encouraged other Tibetan teachers to do the same. The result is that during the past sixty years, interest and understanding of kindness and compassion as primary principles for human affairs and government, taught in Tibetan culture, have spread throughout the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama continues to be exceptionally clear about his position on autonomy. Despite many false claims by the Chinese government to the contrary, he aims only for cultural and religious autonomy, and not full independence. These are basic rights of the Tibetan people, and I urge China to grant such autonomy without delay. The past few decades have brought tremendous change for those of us dedicated to addressing the crisis in Tibet. The Dalai Lama has gone from an unwelcome guest at the U.S. State Department to a worldwide celebrity and Nobel Peace Prize winner. He is regularly received by heads of state and other dignitaries. Just this year, in one of the high points of my legislative career, I had the privilege of introducing and, in partnership with Senator Diane Feinstein and others, passing a bill to award the Dalai Lama the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow – the Congressional Gold Medal. These great strides would have been impossible without the constant support of the San Francisco Bay Area Tibet human rights community. It is clear that despite real efforts by the Chinese government to suppress the truth, China is now well known around the world, in kitchens, coffeehouses, and government buildings, for its continuing egregious human rights violations against the Tibetan people and other minority groups. Increasingly, China also is known worldwide for its reprehensible enabling of the juntas in Sudan and Burma in genocidal acts and crimes against humanity toward their own people. Spreading this knowledge is an enormous accomplishment of the world’s Tibetan and wider human rights communities. While we have much to be proud of, there is still much to be done, and we must look forward together. I do not pretend to have a crystal ball, but I can tell you that there is light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. China is becoming engaged in the world community, and has played an increasingly constructive role in Six-Party negotiations to prevent North Korea from continuing its development of nuclear weapons. Right now, today, we have a unique window of opportunity to pressure the Chinese government into reforming their reprehensible human rights record: the approach of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. It is of foremost importance to the Chinese to project a modern, enlightened image during its moment on the world stage, and we must demand real steps forward before, during and after this event. There is real progress to be seen for all of us who have worked hard for twenty years or more to achieve human rights for the people of Tibet, China, and other countries whose crimes against humanity China supports. Yet we can always look for more ways, as the Dalai Lama has suggested, to engage in mutual enlightenment with the good scholars, environmental activists, governmental officials, and business people who can be found among the Chinese people. We will go forward together in 2008. I can promise you that I will work tirelessly to encourage my colleagues in the United States Congress to focus on our human rights goals, and ensure that they never turn away from the people of Tibet. Thank you very much.

WHY TIBET?Why are Tibetans and their supporters demonstrating today, March 10th?March 10th is the anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising against the Chinese occupation on March 10, 1959. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan people’s resistance to the brutal Chinese occupation of our homeland.Why do Tibetan oppose Chinese rule?Because over one million people in Tibet have died since the occupation Since the violent invasion of Tibet in 1949, over one million Tibetans have died—victims of war, torture, prison camps and famine. One out of every seven Tibetans is a survivor of torture at the hands of the Chinese government. Many Tibetans have died as a result of torture in Chinese prisons. As recently as January 26, 2003, a 28 year old Tibetan named Lobsang Dhondup was executed in his hometown after an unfair trial with no legal representation. Because Tibetans cannot freely practice their religion or express their political beliefs Over 6,000 monasteries in Tibet have been plundered and destroyed since 1949. It is illegal to possess a photograph of the Dalai Lama or a Tibetan flag in Tibet. Possession of these items can result in harsh prison sentences. Peaceful dissent against China’s illegal occupation is punished by arrest, imprisonment and often torture. The Chinese government controls most Tibetan monasteries and imposes quotas on the numbers of monks and nuns allowed to practice. Monks and nuns are subjected to patriotic re-education campaigns and forced to denounce the Dalai Lama. Because the very existence of Tibetan culture and identity are at risk Beijing’s policy of population transfer into Tibet threatens the very existence of Tibetan culture, religion, and national identity. The Chinese government controls the Tibetan population through birth control policies which result in coerced and forced abortions and sterilization of Tibetan women. Because Tibet’s fragile environment is being destroyed Tibet has suffered terrible deforestation that threatens not only the Tibetan people but people throughout Asia who live downstream from Tibet. 40% of the mineral reserves claimed by China are found on Tibetan soil. Tibet’s ecosystem is rich in natural resources such as gold, iron, lithium, borax, natural gas and uranium. Despite this tragedy, the Tibetan people continue to struggle for freedom nonviolently. What can you do to help the Tibetan people? Write letters to your congressional representatives and international government officials, including those in China, telling them how your feel about Tibet. Encourage them to release Tibet’s political prisoners and negotiate with the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama. Support the preservation of Tibetan culture, language and spirituality and struggle for Tibetan freedom by getting involved with your local Tibet support groups. These groups need your help! Your membership, volunteer hours, skills and financial contributions are what it takes to keep the Tibetan freedom movement going. Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) Tibet Justice Center 510-486-0588 Bay Area Friends of Tibet 415-264-3264 Regional Tibetan Youth Congress 510-548-1095 Committee of 100 for Tibet March 10 2007 Press Release

A celebration of peace, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, human rights, & community by Giovanni Vassallo with Tsering Gyurme and Diane Hume (Dec. 10, 2006) A succession of three heavy rain and wind storms were not enough to keep hundreds of Tibetans, friends of Tibet and others from attending a 21 year old San Francisco tradition: Tibet Day. The 21st Annual Tibet Day was held for the first time at the Sunset District's Saint Anne Events Center. This December 10 community and cultural fair also marked the 17th Anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Prize Peace, as well as International Human Rights Day, the 58th Anniversary of the signing of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The program began with an opening blessing by the Ven. Khen Rinpoche, Geshe Thupten Dawa, abbot of Namgyal Monastery, assisted by Ven. Ngawang Khenrab of Nechung Buddhist Center , Albany , California . Then there were the singings of the anthems of the United States of America and Tibet . After welcoming remarks by Giovanni Vassallo, President of the Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) and Tenzin Tsephel, President of the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC), crowds flocked to the stage to offer of numerous good luck scarves to Tibet 's temporal and spiritual leader, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, at a throne set with His portrait. US Government officials support Tibet , Tibet Day, His Holiness, and Human Rights Speaker-Elect of the United States House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi was represented by her staff-person, Harriet Ishimoto, who read her statement at the event, which called for international support to the Dalai Lama's efforts for negotiations with the Chinese Government and the doubling of efforts to bring freedom to the Chinese and Tibetan people. The full text of Congresswoman Pelosi's remarks is available near the end of this article. Ms. Ishimoto also expressed her best wishes for the success of the Tibetan Community Center of Northern California (TCCNC). Congressman Tom Lantos, the ranking member on the House International Relations Committee, in a statement read by his Special Human Rights Assistant, Margery Farrar, recalled the brutality he received when Hungary was occupied by Nazi Germany and compared it to the brutal Chinese occupation of Tibet . Congressman Lantos stated that "Continuing accusations by Chinese government representatives that the Dalai Lama represents a so-called "splittist" influence are entirely false, and by now the Chinese government has no excuse whatsoever to fail to understand this major point." Mr. Lantos's statement assured that as the incoming Chairman of the House International Relations Committee that he would confidently "continue to engage fully with China 's leaders regarding their government's actions that have negatively affected the human rights and security of their own peoples and the entire world." Congressman Lantos's full statement is copied at the end of this article. Representation of Congresswoman Barbara Lee was announced at the event and was in the form of a Special Certificate of Congressional Recognition sent to each of Tibet Day's organizers, the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) and the Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT). The certificates are made available to persons or individuals to congratulate for achieving a qualifying public distinction and for outstanding public service to the community. The Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom had also sent The City and County of San Francisco Certificates of Honor to TANC & BAFoT for organizing the 21st Tibet Day 2006. Each certificate stated that as a day of celebration to peace, human rights, and community, the organizers lead "by example," which he was "pleased to recognize and honor." US President George Bush who had been invited to speak declined to attend due to scheduling conflicts; however, he sent his "Best Wishes" for the success of the event. A moment of silence was held at Tibet Day in memory of a great friend of Tibet , a member of the Committee of 100 for Tibet , Jeanne Kirkpatrick, who was the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, who had passed away Friday, December 8, 2006. Community Fair The day served many purposes. It was a major fundraising drive for the Tibetan Community Center of Northern California . Tibet Day also brought together a unique web of Tibetan vendors, Tibetan Buddhist organizations, Tibetan entertainers including Semshug Pundha, Tibetan Child Star, Tenzin Kunsel, photographers of Tibetan culture, a Tibetan doctor Yangdron Kalzang, author Thomas Laird, ardent lovers of Tibet and representatives of various Tibetan human rights organizations. TANC honored Tashi Techung with a special commemorative plaque for his recent winning of a US music award. Techung is a Tibetan singer living in the US has won the best Asian album award for his compilation of freedom songs at the 2006 Just Plain Folks (JPF) Music Awards in Los Angeles . "A Compilation of Tibetan Folk and Freedom Songs" is a solo album by Techung that deals with traditional Tibetan music and opera. JPF is one of America 's largest grassroots music communities. Attendees were presented with several options to spend their time at material exhibitions to inform the public about the rich cultural heritage of Tibet , as well as the ongoing political situation in Tibet . The fair included a Tibetan film festival which showed such films as Satya , Tibet : Cry of the Snow Lion, a film on the recent Nangpa Pass killing of unarmed Tibetan refugees fleeing Tibet , as well as film entitled Devotion and Defiance . Other slideshows presented included images of recent trips to the Tibetan regions of Amdo and Kham as well as a Tibetan Buddhist Nunnery. Representatives of the many of the represented groups working for Tibetans gave updates on their continuing works. Author Thomas Laird gave a slide show about his book, The Story of Tibet , Conversations with the Dalai Lama. Thomas Laird spent over sixty hours interviewing and probing His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the unique history of Tibet . His book refutes every major Chinese Community propaganda claim on Tibet and Tibetan history. Numerous individuals purchased raffle tickets for prizes made available by the Tibetan vendors and merchants. Also, items, such as a collector's edition of at 1959 Life magazine, with His Holiness gracing the cover, were auctioned. Proceeds from the auction went to benefit the capital campaign for the Tibetan Community Center of Northern California. Attendees also had munched on plates of world-famous Tibetan dumplings, momos, prepared for the occasion by an army of TANC volunteers. Tibetan merchants, vendors, nonprofit organizations and individuals participating at the fair included The Tibet Shop, Tibet Moon, Dilo Lama, Tenzing Gallery, The Tibetan Nuns Project, Tibet Himalaya House 1, Tibet Art & Gifts, Tsering Jewelry, Tibetan Gift Corner, Pachen from Palo Alto, Thukson Bachen/Gangchen, Tibetan Gift House, Tibet Books & Designs, Tibet Treasures Tsa Tsa Studio, Tibetan Aid Project, Nechung Tibetan Buddhist Center, Tsering Gyurmey, Choekyi, Tibet Oral History Project, The Dalai Lama Foundation, The Committee of 100 for Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, The Sogan Foundation, Tibet Justice Center, and others. Dhondup Tsering, ex-RTYC president and member of Semshug Pundha, was instrumental in securing a $1,000 donation from Wells Fargo Bank that helped underwrite the costs of the event. Panel Discussion on a "Path to Peace" A panel discussion entitled "A Path to Peace" included as panelists, the President of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Dawa Dorjee, Students for a Free Tibet's regional coordinator, Yangchen Chagzoetsang, as well as author and Tibet researcher, Thomas Laird and Christine Lin, an activist representing the Falun Gong, a religious sect persecuted by the Chinese government's Communist Party. Mr. Dorjee articulated that Tibetan struggle is a "People's movement and that Tibetans inside Tibet need to be able to decide their own future." Thomas Laird spoke about His Holiness's vision for peace. He said that fighting for peace was not about shouting and yelling, rather about educating oneself about China and Tibet and then taking positive action. Ms. Lin described the persecution of thousands of Chinese Falun Gong practitioners and the abusive treatment, including organ harvesting allowed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of the People's Republic of China and mentioned that Tibetans in Tibet should educate themselves about the true nature of CCP, which could be obtained by a thorough reading of the "9 Imperatives," editorials by the Epoch Times. She suggested that Tibet would be free once it frees itself of the CCP. The panelists encouraged specific actions to help free the Chinese and Tibetan people from oppression such as faxing messages calling for human rights protections to Chinese embassies and consulates, education on factual Chinese and Tibetan history and taking appropriate actions in response to this history, understanding the true nature of the Chinese Communist Party and auto-telephoning millions of Chinese and Tibetans about the Communists, and supporting Students for a Free Tibet's human rights campaign around the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games. The panel's moderator, Mr. Vassallo respectfully informed the audience about the wide consensus that the best short term for shedding light on the situation in Tibet was to focus on the human rights campaign surrounding these Beijing-based Olympic Games. Candlelight vigil Tibet Day's evening program began with a candlelight vigil led by the representatives of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress. The main reason for the vigil was the killings by Chinese soldiers at the Nangpa Pass of unarmed refugees fleeing Tibet . The President of BAFoT, Giovanni Vassallo spoke at the vigil, "Use your precious human rights available to you here in the US to take concrete actions for Tibet , he said. He recalled his own childhood experience witnessing the pain of a Tibetan torture survivor who had been hung with his arms tied behind his back and left swinging for three days, an atrocity that occurred in occupied-Tibet during the Cultural Revolution. The victim was left in constant agonizing back pain. Mr. Vassallo encouraged the crowd to actively take part in the Beijing Olympics campaign and to not forget the important coming of age anniversary of the Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and take actions to seek his release such as emailing Chinese embassies. The Panchen Lama is Tibet 's second most revered religious figure after the Dalai Lama. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was kidnapped and disappeared by the Chinese government after His Holiness employed his historical and religious right to select him as the rebirth of the previous deceased 10th Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama, if still alive, will turn 18 years old on April 25, 2007. He has been missing since May 1995, a disappearance which represents one of the Chinese government's grossest violation of Tibetan religious freedom. Tibetan Child Star Kunsel A twelve year old singing sensation, Tenzin Kunsel awed and wowed audience through out the day. She also gave a well-attended special evening performance. Several young Tibetan girls could be heard commenting on the performer's beauty and many people were transfixed by her extraordinary confidence and wonderful voice. Major proceeds of the event went to support the capital campaign for the Tibetan Community Center of Northern California . Helping educate Tibetans in Tibet and India "gives hope ", says Dalai Lama's former minister. Financial report Here's the financial report for Tibet day. Total Income: $11394 Total Expenses: $5276.39 Net Income: $6117.61 TCCNC - 80%: $4894.08 BFOT - 20%: $1223.52 Income includes the $1000 from wells fargo and also $500 from the Dalai Lama Foundation. It also includes 17 vendor tables $2400. ABOUT BAY AREA FRIENDS OF TIBETFounded in 1983, BAFoT is a non-sectarian, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and is the US West Coast's original Tibet support group. BAFoT educates the public about Tibet and the Tibetan people; organizes grassroots projects and events to benefit Tibetans locally and internationally. BAFoT organizes events in cooperation with local Tibetan groups including the Tibetan Association of Northern California, San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibet Justice Center, Tibetan Nuns Project, Committee of 100 for Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet, as well as Dharma groups. Check out www.friends-of-tibet.org for more information.

Visit the Dzongkar Choede website Dzongkar Choede Buddhist Culture Centre was found in November 2018 in Toronto through the inspiration and blessing of Venerable abbot Jampa Sopa Rinpoche during his religious teaching tour all over Canada. Students and friends of Dzongkar Choede Monastery, who are residing in GTA area agreed to formally establish the non-profit religious and cultural organization to best serve its community and Canadian public. The Centre is a charity registered and its main activities include arranging Buddhist teachings, spiritual practices, Meditation guide and arrange seminar and lectures on Buddhist study, Also to impart Tibetan language and history classes especially to under age children beside organizing religious ceremony and prayers sessions. It will also serve needy and poor people in various means.

The 20th Annual Bay Area Friends of Tibet Tibet Day Celebration Vision of Tibet, Tibet Day 2005, will also include delicious Tibetan food; hundreds of beautiful arts and crafts; Tibetan, Vietnamese, Burmese, & Mongolian Dancers cultural performances and musical offerings by RIGPA; an opportunity to discover The Dalai Lama Foundation’s study circles; a panel discussion on human rights and democracy in Asia; recent Tibet-related films such as Voices in Exile and Women of Tibet; and many other activities. A silent auction will be held with proceeds going towards the development of Capitol CityTibetan High School, the first and only Tibetan high school to serve the people of Golok, Tibet. The Bay Area is home to the third largest Tibetan community in the U.S. This one-daycelebration provides the public an opportunity to learn about the beautiful and intriguing culture of Tibet, a culture struggling to survive in exile. Tibetans young and old will present aspects of their ancient heritage. Admission is free; however, financial support can be given at http://friends-of-tibet.org/joinus.php or by purchase of raffle tickets at the event.Co-sponsored by the USF Center for the Pacific Rim, DharmaGates Foundation, The Dalai Lama FoundationTibetan Association of Northern California, The Sogan Foundation, Tibet Justice Center, The Committee of 100 for Tibet, Third Eye Travel, Rigpa San Francisco Center, Barbara Green

Chinese Understanding is a Gem at the 19th Annual Tibet Day by Giovanni Vassallo Chinese Outreach and "Inreach" were amongst many highlights featured at Tibet: Gem in Asia, Bay Area Friends of Tibet's 19th Annual Tibet Day Cultural Fair held Sunday, November 14, 2004 at a large three-room Fort Mason Conference center in the city of San Francisco. A Chinese Outreach panel discussion at 4pm with Bhuchung Tsering, Director of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), who discussed moral and political imperatives, was balanced with comments on Dharma and Inreach by Reverend Heng Sure, a Buddhist leader from The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, which adheres to Ch'an Buddhism, a Chinese Buddhist tradition. Since everything is mind, if we change ourselves, we can change others, including Chinese people, declared Rev. Sure. That the most popular vacation spot for mainland Chinese people within the People's Republic of China is Tibet was a remarkable fact revealed by Bhuchung Tsering. When pressed on what local residents of California USA could do to pursue Chinese Outreach, he informed us that the Internet would be a great start. He seemed to suggest that the web is a great place to foment Chinese and Tibetan freedom and democracy through web postings. Though more work needs to be done, he seemed confident that there is a greater Chinese understanding of the Tibetan situation. One example he offered was when a Chinese athlete canceled his planned swim across Namtso, a holy Tibetan lake. Such a swim would have offended the spiritual traditions of thousands of Tibetan Buddhists. Sherry Zhang, an attractive Chinese chemistry doctor and campaign coordinator for the Chinese-government persecuted Falun Gong, also graciously joined the panel. She said that though her nonviolent group of one hundred million was being crushed by the Chinese government terrorist state, it had achieved some success in convincing San Francisco Bay Area residents that they were not an evil cult as China's government described them. She hinted that the Chinese people were changing and yearning for positive spiritual growth and was definitely open to Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Former Tibetan Security Minister of the exiled Tibet government, Pema Chhinjor, and Arjia Rinpoche of the Tibetan Buddhist Center for Wisdom and Compassion participated on a panel discussion. Arijia Rinpoche encouraged Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) to continue Chinese outreach efforts. In 1998, due to political and religious pressures, Rinpoche had to leave China to settle in the United States. Though many years ago Chinese soldiers killed his own brother during the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising, Pema Chhinjor stressed similar sentiments as Rinpoche. Rev. Heng Sure reminded us that life was like a burning house and is very, very short. There is no time for conflict, he offered, because "Life is like a drop of sweat on hot toast: it's gone in an instant." He added that outreach to others is only truly possible if we reached inward toward peace. He seemed to suggest that in this new age that we have a grand opportune time to put away the negative baggage of the past, share positive experiences with others, and work to cease common human suffering, including those suffering in the long Tibet-China conflict. The panel concluded with a question and answer session that ended after a Chinese woman in the audience offered that China's actions toward Tibet could be explained in terms of British colonialism. The British had inflicted heavy suffering amongst the Chinese people for many years. For context, she noted that the United States government was standing with the British during the recent military action in Iraq. She then said that Indian government had allowed Allied flights from India over the Burma hump during the Second World War and that the Chinese governments had a very high view of the security of China's western regions, which includes Tibet. During a San Francisco visit in September 2003 His Holiness the Dalai Lama had offered guidance to the BAFoT board to pursue outreach of Tibetan issues specifically to Chinese audiences. It was the second consecutive year that Tibet Day featured explorations of this topic during its panel discussion. Congressman Lantos Urges China to Negotiate with the Dalai Lama In the afternoon, Margery Farrar, Human Rights Special Assistant to U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos, read a statement on behalf of the Congressman. He began by writing that Tibet Day organizer's "ongoing efforts to expose our wider Bay Area community to Tibet's wonderful cultural heritage, and to educate everyone about China's destruction of Tibet's cultural and natural heritage through persistent and serious violations of Tibetan human rights, are of great and inestimable value." Congressman Lantos wrote that "serious violations throughout China of the freedoms of speech and religion, guaranteed under international human rights law, threaten the welfare of many persons far beyond the borders of the Peoples Republic of China"and negative impacts from previous failed policies, too often leads to decisions resulting in further harm to environments and people in nearby nations." Together, with Bay Area Tibet Day organizers, he wrote that we could "persuade China's leaders that it is in China's best interests, as well as the interests of all of the peoples of Asia and the entire world, for the Government of China to negotiate in good faith with Tibet's Dalai Lama for genuine autonomy in Tibet, and to move rapidly to protect the freedoms of speech and religion not only in Tibet, but in all regions governed by China." He ended his statement by highlighting the urgency of China to negotiate with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The full text of his remarks is below. Tibetan Cultural Fair All day there were several entertaining musical and dance performances by members of the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC), cosponsors of the festival. A Tibetan film festival cosponsored by the San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress (SFRTYC) included a film, "Tibet's Stolen Child," about the missing Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Tibet's second most-revered Buddhist Leader. Hundreds of people sampled Tibetan momos, the Tibetan cousin of the Chinese pot sticker, as Tibetan vendors, Tibetan and human rights activists filled the largest of the three rooms throughout the course of the day. The President of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance, Victor Win, also graced the event and spoke on the importance for Tibetans and Burmese to work together and advance freedom and democracy in Asia. Hundreds of audience members were enthralled by the first Burmese cultural performances at Tibet Day by Nini, a local Burmese woman dancer. Attendees were presented with several options to spend their time at material exhibitions to inform the public about the rich cultural heritage of Tibet, as well as the ongoing political situation in Tibet. An estimated eight hundred people including Tibetan vendors, Tibetan and non-Tibetan well-wishers gathered at Fort Mason Conference Center on the San Francisco waterfront. Members of many Bay Area Tibet-related groups such as the Tibet Justice Center, TANC, the SFRTYC, and the Committee of 100 for Tibet tabled information about their groups and activities. The day's events had begun with an opening prayer blessing ceremony by BAFoT board member, a Chinese-speaking Tibetan, Rev. Norbu Lama. Later, BAFoT president Giovanni Vassallo spoke about history of the Bay Area's Tibet Day. BAFoT at first organized Tibet Day to coincide with March 10, Tibetan National Uprising Day. Later, the date was changed for the convenience of Tibetans vending at Tibet Day and because it became too complex an endeavor for a small group of organizers to simultaneously organize a large Tibet National Uprising Day commemoration as well as to spend efforts toward a large and successful Tibet Day cultural fair. Tibet Day was then moved to April and was held then for several years. Three years ago, the Ft. Mason space became unavailable in the spring, which forced us to move the event to the fall. Subsequently, we held Tibet Day in either October or November. Later, Richard Deck of the 20-nation organization, ARDA, the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia introduced his organization to the audience. He outlined how both Tibet and Burma were members of this organization. The concept of ARDA came about at the Asia Regional Good Governance Conference held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on August 5, 2000. They drafted a Declaration of Unity, which was adopted and intended to serve as the vision to bring together servants of democracy all over Asia in our common struggle for freedom and democracy. Mr. Deck informed the listeners that more information about ARDA could be found at www.asiademocracy.org. During the event, SFRTYC leader, Topden Tsering made a special appeal to the crowd to take action on behalf of political prisoner Tenzin Deleck Rinpoche who could face death by Chinese authorities very soon. He reminded the audience that no credible evidence linking Rinpoche to any crime has been released by China's government, nor did he receive a fair trial after his April 2002 arrest. Mr. Tsering invited all the participants to a vigil and demonstration on his behalf to be held in Berkeley, California, on Nov. 27, 2004 at 5 pm. ICT Director Bhuchung Tsering also addressed a crowd of about three hundred people. He spoke about the need to keep up activism on Tibet's behalf while not embarrassing China's leaders. He suggested the need for "two-way traffic" in which the Chinese people also reached out to Tibetans. He also encouraged support for campaigns for that avoids embarrassing the Chinese leadership. He pointed out that the Tibetan struggle is not directed against any individual or group of people, but against the unjust policies laid in Tibet and China for which we should not give up our effort. "Dreaming of Tibet" Movie Screening That night, BAFoT held a special movie screening of "Dreaming of Tibet." It was evident by the crowd's reactions that they greatly enjoyed the preview film. The film's producer, Will Parrinello, introduced the film. Former Minister of Security of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile answered questions from audience members after film along with the producer. In isolated communities around the world, particularly in India, Nepal and the United States, Tibetan exiles have created a "virtual Tibet," where they have endured and even flourished in the face of overwhelming adversity. "Dreaming of Tibet" follows their arduous journeys from Tibet into exile over a 19,000-foot Himalayan pass. The film looks at the lives of three extraordinary Tibetan exiles that have survived in exile and are deeply involved in working for the survival of their culture. "Dreaming of Tibet" captures the difficult challenges they each face and conveys the sense of hope they bring to their day-to-day lives in spite of great hardship and loss. Bay Area Friends of Tibet, the Tibetan Association of Northern California, and the San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress sponsored the day's events with other groups. STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN TOM LANTOS SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA TIBET DAY NOVEMBER 14, 2004Read by Margery Farrar, Special Assistant to Congressman Lantos As Member of Congress for the 12th California Congressional District and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I am delighted to commend all of the supporters of freedom and human rights in Tibet who have organized and are participating in Tibet Day, 2004. Your ongoing efforts to expose our wider Bay Area community to Tibet's wonderful cultural heritage, and to educate everyone about China's destruction of Tibet's cultural and natural heritage through persistent and serious violations of Tibetan human rights, are of great and inestimable value. We mourn today the suffering of all those living in Tibet and the suffering of all those exiled. We also celebrate, today, the increasing number of Tibetan exiles who are working hard to achieve safety for Tibet and Tibetans everywhere, and their remarkable regeneration of Tibetan culture here and in other countries around the world. Let there be no mistake, however. As long as the Government of China continues to deny genuine autonomy and human rights to the Tibetan People in the Tibet Autonomous Region and to deny human rights to Tibetans in China proper as well, we all participate in their suffering and exile. Even if we are allowed to visit Tibet and to observe government controlled performances of religious observance, we understand from the most recent U.S. State Department Human Rights Report that the Tibetan People under Chinese rule have no real freedom to speak to us. They have little opportunity to learn and share with us the deeper significance of their Tibetan Buddhist culture. Those who would attempt to share their thoughts continue to risk detention and torture in Drapchi and other feared prisons in Tibet. The authentic Tibetan Panchen Lama, kidnapped by the Chinese government as a very young child, remains exiled in an unknown location, deprived of the rigorous religious training that would prepare him for his legitimate role among the Tibetan people and in the wider world. Moreover, serious violations throughout China of the freedoms of speech and religion, guaranteed under international human rights law, threaten the welfare of many persons far beyond the borders of the Peoples Republic of China. By preventing the deeply grounded civic discourse that China needs for genuine solutions to her own political, economic, human, and environmental security problems, these violations too often allow poorly grounded, corrupt governmental decisions, with harmful effects on the people and environments of bordering countries, as well as China's own. The resulting need of China's leaders for increased financial and social capital, to offset negative impacts from previous failed policies, too often leads to decisions resulting in further harm to environments and people in nearby nations. For such policies to persist officials in these countries must be corrupt and democracy must be stunted. Therefore China's influence on democracy and development in Southeast Asia has been far less positive than its true interests would dictate. The current situation in Burma is especially dangerous to the entire world. Burma's repressive regime not only causes terrible suffering to Burma's peoples, but deals in very large quantities of illegal drugs and other illicit trade on the world's black markets. Therefore, I especially commend San Francisco Bay Area Tibet Day organizers and participants for reaching out to Americans and others from countries around the world, and especially this year to those from China and other Asian countries. Together we can better persuade China's leaders that it is in China's best interests, as well as the interests of all of the peoples of Asia and the entire world, for the Government of China to negotiate in good faith with Tibet's Dalai Lama for genuine autonomy in Tibet, and to move rapidly to protect the freedoms of speech and religion not only in Tibet, but in all regions governed by China. ABOUT BAY AREA FRIENDS OF TIBETFounded in 1983, BAFoT is a non-sectarian, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization andis the US West Coast's original Tibet support group. BAFoT educates the public about Tibetand the Tibetan people; organizes grassroots projects and events to benefit Tibetans locallyand internationally. BAFoT organizes events in cooperation with local Tibetan groups includingthe Tibetan Association of Northern California, San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibet Justice Center, Tibetan Nuns Project, Committee of 100 for Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet, as well as Dharma groups. Check out www.friends-of-tibet.org for more information.

Tibetans and Tibet support groups observed the forty-fifth Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10th 2004, at Berkeley City Hall, San Francisco City Hall, the Chinese Consulate of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco, and at Union Square, in San Francisco's financial district. Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT), the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC), the San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress (SFRTYC), Tibet Justice Center (TJC), the Committee of 100 for Tibet, (C100), and the Tibetan Nuns Project (TNP) sponsored the commemorations. Chimmy Gonpo, President of TANC, took the charge of the Berkeley program, and Giovanni Vassallo, President of BAFoT, took charge of the San Francisco events. BerkeleyThe day's schedule started in Berkeley where Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates and Berkeley Councilmember Kriss Worthington participated in a Tibetan Flag raising ceremony attended by about 150 people, mostly Tibetans. Mayor Bates spoke after the Tibetan flag was hoisted to Tibetan tunes. We sang the Tibetan National Anthem, and the Dhen-Tsik Monlam prayer chant, and Chimmy Gonpo thanked the participants. San Francisco City HallNearly 500 Tibetans and Tibet supporters then gathered in record-breaking heat at the San Francisco's City Hall main steps starting at 11am. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's March 10th Statement was read just prior to noon, which was the official starting time of the San Francisco program. Tsewang Chozom, a BAFoT board member, read the statement in Chinese in an effort to reach out to members of the Chinese-speaking public present. Chinese, Taiwanese, Tibetans, Burmese, Vietnamese, and other Americans filled the crowd. Monks of the Gyuto Tibetan Vajrayana Center of San Jose began by leading prayers, which were then followed by the Mimang Langlu song. We listened to a statement by San Francisco Board of Supervisors, President, Matt Gonzalez, read by Giovanni Vassallo. In the statement, Gonzalez wrote that he hopes "that our local Chinese community will take time to meet Bay Area Tibetans and supporters to exchange frank and friendly views for the benefit of understanding one another and moving the Tibet-China dialogue forward." The signed statement also called upon the China not to use the war on terror as an excuse to repress its own cultural, religious, or ethnic minorities. Additionally, he urged China to revisit the case of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche in "an open and just trial." Chris Daly, also a member of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, also spoke and encouraged similar themes. We then listened to US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi's statement read by Dan Bernal, her Deputy District Director. Mr. Bernal repeated Pelosi's statement, which included, "Tibetans are routinely imprisoned and tortured for non-violently expressing their views. Beatings, prolonged exposure to extreme heat and cold, electroshock, sleep and food deprivation, and forced labor are among the techniques used to torture Tibetan prisoners" Pelosi wrote, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the key to peace and stability in Tibet. Envoys of the Dalai Lama have traveled to China and Tibet twice in the past year to continue discussions with Chinese authorities for a permanent negotiated settlement. It is time for the Chinese government to re-assess its hard-line stance toward Tibet and take a step forward into a modern, open and free society." She also wrote, "The survival of the Tibetan identity is an issue of urgent U.S. and international concern. If we are not committed to meeting the challenge of Tibet, we cannot be consistent when we talk about human rights in any other place in the world. The crowd applauded after Mr. Bernal read her concluding remarks, "As we honor the brave and heroic Tibetan people, we must heed the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is a constant reminder that the crisis in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world. Please be assured I will continue to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to preserve their heritage and regain their freedom." Former BAFoT President Diane Hume then read a statement by S.T. Day, Chairman of the Tibet-Taiwan Exchange Foundation associated with the Taiwanese government. Chairman Day wrote that the "Taiwanese people understand most their determination for defending their country, and will continue to support Tibetans' struggle for human rights and freedoms." Author Peter Gold spoke about the need to cherish and protect the Tibetan identity. Then Xiao Qiang, former Executive Director of Human Rights in China spoke. "I can tell you are really reaching out to your Chinese brothers and sisters," he remarked, noting that many of the protest signs in the crowd were also written the Chinese language. Former Chairman of the Kashag, the Cabinet of His Holiness Dalai Lama's Tibetan government-in-exile, Tenzin Tethong spoke in both Tibetan and English. Chimmy Gonpo spoke about the sadness he felt about the extreme poverty in Tibet he had witnessed in his recent trip to Tibet. The last speaker, Topden Tsering of RTYC then spoke. By that time, large parts of the crowd formation had managed to conform to the shaded areas on each side of the steps. Chants such as "Free Tibet," "Free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche," "Free the Panchen Lama," "Hear Tibet," "Self-Determination for Tibet," Human Rights in China and Tibet" roared through the crowd as this segment concluded. Chinese ConsulateThe group procession headed toward the Chinese Consulate at Laguna and Geary Streets at about 1:15 p.m. We arrived at the Chinese Consulate at about 2:00 pm singing, praying, and demonstrating. Many Tibetans and supporters shouted, "Free Tibet," "Shame on China," and different slogans. Again, Tsewang Chozom read His Holiness's March 10 Statement in Chinese. Rocky Liu, community organizer for Taiwanese-Americans then spoke. He called upon the Chinese government to respect fundamental Tibetan and Taiwanese human rights. We listened to special guest speakers, Heidi Basch and Margery Farrar, Special Human Rights Representatives of US Congressman Tom Lantos's office. In her speech, Ms. Farrar noted that there were areas that both Tibetans and Chinese could cooperate. She repeatedly praised Tashi Tsering, a Tibetan who works as an environmental specialist at the Berkeley-based Tibet Justice Center. She highly commended his efforts in working to resolve environmental issues of mutual concern to both Tibetans and the Chinese people. She encouraged the gathering to read Tsering's report and, "to take it home, and to make school books with it." She noted that very likely there were Chinese consular officials inside the consulate who cared very deeply about Tibet's environment. She also called upon the Tibetan and Tibet support group communities to protest more often at the Chinese consulate. "There were eight hundred people gathered at the Losar," she noted. There should have been at least that many of us here today. She encouraged us that we could act to change the situations in Tibet and China. Minnie Cancellero, Executive Director of Tibet Justice Center, then spoke, followed by a speech by Mr. Vassallo. The crowd then dispersed with many still planning to attend further commemoration events which was planned to include another demonstration at Union Square, a candlelight vigil and march from there, and to end with a final demonstration at Portsmouth Square, in the heart of Chinatown. Union SquareLater that evening, around three hundred fifty people including Tibetans, Burmese, and Westerners gathered at Union Square, located in San Francisco's financial district. The Gyuto monks again began the demonstration with prayers. Tibetan opera singer Nyima Gyalpo led the Mimang Langlu song. Mr. Vassallo repeated Supervisor Gonzalez's and Chairman Day's statements. Then, Victor Win, Vice-President of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) spoke about working together to advance Tibetan and Burmese democracy and human rights. Pema Chhinjor, who lost his brother and other family members during the 1959 uprising, and is the former Security Minister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile, also spoke. Mr. Gonpo then addressed the crowd in Tibetan and again the last speaker was the RTYC leader, Topden Tsering. Mr. Vassallo then informed the gathering that the planned march through Chinatown and the demonstration at Portsmouth square had been canceled due to last minute objections raised by some senior members of the Bay Area Tibetan community led by the TANC president. They ranged from concerns about unduly annoying San Francisco's Chinatown residents to concerns about any possible confrontation between Chinese and Tibetan youth. Despite repeated assurances to the contrary by Mr. Vassallo, the chief organizer, and an additional assurance from a San Francisco police sergeant in charge of the pending march's security, that any confrontation was of the slimmest possibility, the journey to Chinatown had evidently proved too much to ask on this emotional anniversary commemoration of Tibet's worst tragedy. A candlelight vigil followed for Tibet's fallen heroes. The square was light up by numerous candles as the Gyuto monks again prayed and performed multi-phonic Buddhist chants. The sound of the monks chanting "OM MANI PADME HUM" the mantra of Tibet's patron bodhisattva, Chenresig, repeatedly filled the square as we wept and prayed for Tibetans and world peace. Nyima Gyalpo led us in the Dhen-Tsik Monlam prayer and the Tibetan National Anthem. Slogans calling for Tibet's freedom were again chanted. After thanking the many volunteers of the day's events and announcing the conclusion, Mr. Vassallo reminded the gathering that, "the dream and a hope of Free Tibet remains with you." The crowd gradually dispersed. That night, there was an extensive segment about Tibet and Uprising Day on KTSF, the local Chinese news station, viewed regularly by millions in the San Francisco Bay Area. It gave extensive coverage of the demonstration, showed clips of the movie "Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion," and gave much footage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It also included interviews with our San Francisco speakers, Topden Tsering, Xiao Qiang, and Rocky Liu, thus directly addressed China's three "terrible T's:" Tibet, Tiananmen, and Taiwan.

Statement of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Tibetan Uprising DayMarch 10, 2003 Thank you to Bay Area Friends of Tibet and other Bay Area Tibet Support Groups for organizing this special observance of Tibetan Uprising Day. I am proud to represent a district where protecting human rights is a top priority. Today we honor the courage and determination of those who stood against the Chinese Government's brutal oppression of the Tibetan People during the Lhasa Uprising 44 years ago. We also pay tribute to the thousands of Tibetans who have sacrificed and died opposing Chinese occupation, as well as all Tibetans who have suffered human rights abuses due to their religious, political or cultural beliefs or activities. I am deeply concerned about the Chinese government's continued repression of the Tibetan people. The PRC continues to commit horrible human rights abuses, including instances of torture, arbitrary arrest, detention without public trial, and lengthy detention of Tibetan nationalists for peacefully expressing their political or religious views. Two weeks ago, 78 of my colleagues in Congress and I wrote to Vice President Hu condemning the execution of Mr. Lobsang Dhondup. We also strongly urged him to commute the sentences of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and Tserang Dondrup, and to release the others currently being held in connection with this case. These individuals were held incommunicado and suffered torture, and their trials were conducted under highly restrictive conditions and without counsel of their choosing. The Chinese government denied all requests by the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu to observe these legal proceedings that reportedly did not meet United Nations' minimum standards of due process. Such abuses of judicial processes and disingenuous actions on the part of the Chinese Government are not conducive to good U.S.-China relations. The plight of the Tibetan people is a challenge to the global conscience. Because of our unique position in the world, the U.S. has a special opportunity and responsibility to promote the values of liberty, equality, and human rights that we hold dear. If the U.S. government is serious about helping the Tibetan people, it must promote negotiations between the government of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama and make self-determination for Tibetans a priority in the U.S.-China relationship. Thank you for your continued activism for the people of Tibet. Your actions, words and prayers will move mountains. Please be assured I will continue to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to preserve their heritage and regain their freedom. NANCY PELOSIDemocratic Leader

Congressional Recognition among Highlights of Bay Area Friends of Tibet's Tibetan Cultural Celebration by Giovanni Vassallo SAN FRANCISCO, CA., October 26, 2002 – Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) received congressional recognition at Fort Mason Conference Center by the San Francisco waterfront at its 17th Annual Tibet Day. Though by some attendee’s accounts the city’s largest peace rally held downtown the same day to stop an apparent impending U.S.-led military action against Iraq, cut into the expected attendance, the long-planned Oct. 26 event’s turnout was one of the best ever in the organization’s history. The occasion combined BAFoT’s annual fundraiser with numerous impressive Tibetan cultural song or dance performances by various groups with over 30 tables in a large room showcasing Tibetan or Himalayan merchandise for sale by several local Tibet shops and vendors. These activities, daylong showings of Tibet-related movies, serving of delicious Tibetan food such as momos, Tibet Support Group tables and an exceptional panel discussion on “ How to Free Tibet” kept three large conference rooms and parts of the center’s parking lot busy and filled with about 500 participants throughout the course of the day. BAFoT Secretary Giovanni Vassallo began the event by first informing the gathering that California Governor Gray Davis’s had “sent his best personal wishes for the success of the event.” Then a somber note was touched when he announced the bad news that Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, a staunch Friend of Tibet, had died in a plane crash the day before. The Senator sponsored many bills in Congress in support of Tibet and introduced Senate Resolution 252 marking the 13th birthday of the detained Panchen Lama and calling for his release. Vassallo led a moment of silence in honor of the respected Tibet supporter. This was followed by prayers and blessing by Rinpoche Lama Kunga of Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center and then Lama Lodru Rinpoche of Kagyu Droden Kunchab. Subsequent entertainers and performers then began to light the stage of the main conference room as people increasingly began to fill the room, became spectators or began shopping and as delightful Tibetan music permeated throughout conference center. Movies and a slide show began in the other rooms and were watched by several attendees. About midday, Dan Bernal, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s Deputy District Director on the Congresswoman’s behalf, read her statement. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Whip, said that the recent releases of Tibetan political prisoners and the visit of the Dalai Lama's envoys to Beijing are cause for cautious hope for the Tibetan people. Pelosi also cautioned that it would be wrong to be too optimistic at this stage, as this is not the first time that China has hinted that it might relent on the Tibet issue. Pelosi said the plight of the people of Tibet is a challenge to the global conscience and that she will continue to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to preserve their heritage and regain their freedom. She said it was due to continued pressure from the Congress and from concerned citizens that President Bush raised the issue of Tibet with President Jiang Zemin in their meeting on October 25, 2002. Pelosi said that she hoped President Bush would make self-determination for Tibetans a priority in the U.S.-China relationship. Pelosi’s statement ended with "Thank you for your continued activism for the people of Tibet. Your actions, words and prayers will move mountains. Please be assured I will continue to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to preserve their heritage and regain their freedom." Shortly after the Congresswoman statement, Bernal then presented an award, a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, to Bay Area Friends of Tibet’s President Diane Hume to honor the organization’s “outstanding and invaluable support to the community.” It was signed by Congresswoman Pelosi and according to Mr. Bernal, awarded to BAFoT “to also honor all the Bay Area Tibet groups including the Tibetan Association of Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area Tibetan Youth Congress, the Committee of 100 for Tibet, the Tibet Justice Center and the Tibetan Nuns Project.” Later in the day, the panel discussion went exceptionally well. Panelists included Kasur Tenzin Tethong, Chairman of the Committee of 100 for Tibet, Heidi Basch from University of California, Berkeley Students for a Free Tibet, Margery Farrar, Human Rights Special Assistant to U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos, Eva Herzer, former President of the Tibet Justice Center and Topden Tsering, President of the Tibetan Youth Congress. Some interesting quotes include one from Tenzin Tethong “It’s time to focus on the people in Tibet and on right of the Tibetan people to self-determination. The Self-Determination Initiative does not take away from anyone’s campaign. It can help move the Tibet issue along. It is something that can unify the various different messages from different groups and puts the focus back where it should be, whatever choice of the Tibetan people in Tibet.” Eva Herzer said that “it is important to realize what we can effectively achieve which is why Tibet Justice has led several different workshops for the Tibetan Government-in-Exile to educate Tibetans on the various forms of genuine autonomy available to them.” She pointed out that the right to self-determination is an under-lying principle of international law. In contrast, Topden Tsering said that most Tibetans want independence therefore it is clear that that is what we should still demand from the Chinese government. Later, he also said that “the individual campaigns for Tibet have been working. We have seen the releases of several Tibetan political prisoners and it is important to keep up these campaigns. What we need is movement on the Tibetan issue.” Heidi Basch stressed that we needed to move forward with the economic campaigns against the PRC such as “SFT’s call to boycott ExxonMobil.” Margery Farrar pointed out the significance of the recent Tibet Policy Act introduced by Congressman Lantos, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush. “This Act may not be the best plan, but it is the best blueprint out there of what we should continue to do for Tibet.” “The panelists were articulate, interesting and diverse,” said one of the panel's audience members. “…it couldn't have gone better. We got to hear different sides of the issue.” Other highlights of the event, entitled “Tales of Tibet” also included several Tibetans who gave renditions of various Tibetan folk stories or recommendations of Tibetan literature. Several performance artists from the Chaksampa Tibetan Dance Opera and Semshug Pundha and other Bay Area Tibetan Dance groups continued to delight participants throughout the day with special performances. The day concluded with a raffle and a vote of thanks by the organizers. According to Karma, one of the Tibetan vendors, the celebration was “a great combination of Rinpoches, Politicians, Dancers, Vendors, Students, Tibet supporters and wellwishers all coming to making it what it should be, a great day.”

Congressional Recognition among Highlights of Bay Area Friends of Tibet's Tibetan Cultural Celebration SAN FRANCISCO, CA., October 26, 2002 – Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) received congressional recognition at Fort Mason Conference Center by the San Francisco waterfront at its 17th Annual Tibet Day. Though by some attendee’s accounts the city’s largest peace rally held downtown the same day to stop an apparent impending U.S.-led military action against Iraq, cut into the expected attendance, the long-planned Oct. 26 event’s turnout was one of the best ever in the organization’s history.

"Free Tibet! Hear Tibet! China Out of Tibet! Long Live the Dalai Lama!" Free Tibet! Human Rights for Tibet! China Out of Tibet! Long Live the Dalai Lama!... These were just few of the chants that could be heard at the San Francisco March 10 demonstration yesterday. Approximately 6-700 Tibetans and Tibet Supporters from across the San Francisco Bay Area turned out for the gatherings, march and rallies over the course of the day. Actually, the day's events started across the bay in Berkeley where Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean and Berkeley Councilmember Kriss Worthington participated in a Tibetan Flag raising ceremony attended by about 150-200 people, mostly Tibetans. Mayor Dean herself hoisted up the Tibetan flag to Tibetan tunes. We sang the Tibetan National Anthern and the Dhen-Tsik Monlan prayer chant and then both Mayor Dean & Councilmember Worthington gave speeches marking the occasion. Ugyen Tsering, Vice-President of the Tibetan Association of Northern California also gave a speech commemorating the occasion. Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters gathered at Yerba Buena gardens in San Francisco by 11am. We sang the Tibetan National Anthem and listened to a statement by US Congressional Representative Nancy Pelosi read by Catherine Dodd, her District Director. Tibet Justice Center President Dennis Cusack and leaders of other Bay Area TSGs, including RTYC, gave speeches. Additionally, former Chairman of the Kashag, the Cabinet of HH Dalai Lama, Tenzin Tethong spoke. The actual march began led by a vehicle which displayed a large picture HH the Dalai Lama. It was encouraging to see hundreds of people marching the streets of San Francisco for Tibet despite the repeated forecasts of rain (which did not occur). We proceeded to City Hall where we met the press. HH Dalai Lama's statement was read from the steps of City Hall by Jamyang Wangden, Area Coordinator for Students for Free Tibet. We left City Hall and marched toward Geary Street toward the Chinese Consulate. We arrived at the Chinese Consulate at about 2:00 pm singing, praying, and demonstrating. We listened to special guest speaker Alice Walker, author of the Color Purple read her spiritually stirring statement in which she stated that it was "unbefitting a country with a rich history of China to persecute Tibetans...and cause so much destruction in Tibet. She started her speech by getting the crowd of hundreds to repeat after her, "We are one people, one earth." She said that she did not understand how a great country such as China could persecute her "Tibetan cousins." She ended by reiterating that we "are one people, one earth," a message that greatly complemented HH Dalai Lama's official statement. We also listened to a speech by Marjery Farrar, representative from US Congressional Representative Tom Lantos's office. Topgen from the Tibetan Youth Congress sent an alternative message to the Chinese consulate. He referenced the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the US and said that these were acts of people who acted out of sheer desparation and anger. He said that if the Chinese government were smart that they would negotiate with HH Dalai Lama while there is still time. Even though he "opposes violence" there could be people in Tibet who would also be driven by anger and desparation. He wondered why the US did not include China in the "axis of evil." Further, he pointed out that China was supplying some of the nations in the "axis of evil" with arms. The demonstration in front of the consulate ended after members from Students for a Free Tibet burned a large red paper Chinese flag. Bay Area Tibetan and Tibet Support Groups that organized the march include: Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT)Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC)Tibet Justice CenterRegional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC)Students for a Free Tibet (SFT)Committee of 100 for Tibet In the evening we received coverage of the event on several of the TV stations, NBC, CBS, and ABC local affiliates. KPFA radio taped the entire day long event and presented segments of it on their evening program. I was interviewed by KQED NPR radio the evening prior, Tenzin Tethong , Chairman of Committee of 100 for Tibet and Dennis Cusack, Pres. of Tibet Justice Center were interviewed by KPFA radio shows earlier in the week. Additionally, Tethong la was interviewed by KMVR radio of Nevada City, NV last Monday. Other college campus newspaper reporters and other media were present and may later produce additional coverage.Congratulations to all who participated in San Francisco's most impressive Tibet Uprising Day commerration.

The 16th Annual celebration of Tibetan culture featured Tibetan Food, political speakers, films and videos about Tibet, Tibetan handicrafts and much more. Tibet Day is BAFoT's most important fundraising event. For information on the next Tibet Day call 415-626-7195Email: dyanhwa@aol.com