March 14, 2008
In the spirit of community, human rights, and cultural pride, we, the members of the Tibetan community of Boston, will hold a vigil in Harvard Square every Wednesday evening from 6:30 - 8pm. These gatherings will serve many purposes and will be held until Tibetans inside Tibet are able to enjoy the freedoms that are the birthright of all humans. First and foremost, we hope to show
our solidarity with the six million Tibetans living in Tibet. Since 1959, these people have suffered a brutal and oppressive occupation at the hands of the Chinese communist government. Tibetans in Tibet do not have the right to freely express their grievances and have been subject to imprisonment, torture, and even death for trying to communicate their plight to the world. It is hoped that our vigils will raise awareness of the situation inside Tibet and inspire people to act on the behalf of the people there. Our vigils will also coincide with has become known as “Lhakar”: the idea that Tibetans worldwide should set aside Wednesdays as a day to quietly celebrate their endangered culture by dressing in traditional clothing, speaking the Tibetan language, eating traditional foods, shopping at Tibetan owned businesses, and observing Tibetan customs. To this end, our weekly gatherings will be a way for Tibetans in the Boston area to show their culture to their fellow citizens, celebrate with each other, and show solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet. The vigils will also serve as a public forum, where area Tibetans can make their voices heard to each other and the public at large. We fully anticipate that the struggle we have engaged in will be long. As time passes, and more and more people put forth their ideas, the face of our vigil will change, but we pledge that we will strictly adhere to the nonviolent practices espoused by H.H.
