President of RTYC of New York and New Jersey —
Mr. Kunga Thinley
So today is the 17th day since we started this hunger strike.
Initially, when the head office of Youth Congress asked if we
can organize this hunger strike, all the executive members unanimously
decided to organize it at any cost. Then TYC President came
first followed by hunger strikers and this is how we continued
this hunger strike. Up until now, there have been much positive
responses and President of TYC would have talked about it.
As a response to your question asking about the support from
the public, generally Tibetans in New York are very supportive
in whatever activities we partake. But right now, considering
the number of Tibetans living in New York, we have not recieved
enough support.
Tibetans do come here when they have holidays and the last
time during Mr. Richard Gere and US ambassador’s visit,
there were almost five hundred Tibetans present.
Even though, that number is high but considering that three
people are at the verge of losing their lives, it is not enough.
I know Tibetans in New York are concerned about Tibet’s
struggle, so especially when three people are sacrificing life
for Tibet, I would request all of you to give as much time as
possible. Tibetan people can also help by sending email and
faxes to world leaders and to the United Nations. We, the regional
TYC are doing whatever is possible to follow the head office
of TYC.
I would also like to express my thanks to the regional Tibetan
Youth Congress that we were able to work together for the hunger
strike.
 |
| Sonam Wangdu |
I have a message from Sonam Wangdu and I am not being partial
here while stating this.
While we were discussing that we are not getting enough response
by the media, Mr. Sonam Wangdu said that he was not concerned
about what the press had to say or what the others outside the
community think about it. He said he wants to awaken the Tibetans
in America and around the globe to fight for free Tibet. So
on behalf of all the hunger strikers and the staff of RTYC,
we request all the Tibetans to take up the cause and struggle
for freedom more than ever.
Ms Dolma Choephel: Hungerstriker
 |
| Dolma Choephel |
We have stayed here on hunger strike not just to win the support
from United Nations and different nations but we also hoped
to awaken the Tibetans to fight for community freedom. Even
though it is almost fifty years, we should still continue our
struggle. We may or may not accomplish our demands, but we should
not give up our struggle until we get our freedom back. All
the Tibetans should take responsibility to continue this struggle
and also I urge Tibetans not forget our roots.
Mr Gyatso la: Hungerstriker
 |
| Gyatso la |
My message for the Tibetans in New York is that, we are the
third generation of Tibetans in exile and we have the responsibilities
to pass on our culture and traditions to our next generation.
I see young kids talking only in English. I think we should
encourage them to speak in our mother tongue — Tibetan.
I feel it is very important. This is my message for the third
generation Tibetans in New York. More importantly, we —
the third generations — are in exile. We are only 1% of
the total Tibetan population and 99% are in Tibet. Those in
Tibet under China can’t do much, so we, who are in free
world, have the greater responsibility to carry on our struggle
for freedom.
Phurbu Tsering (ex-president, TYC of NY and
NJ)
 |
| The hunger strike of 1995. (Photo credit:
Phurbu Tsering) |
We had organized a hunger strike in 1995 in front of the UN
here in New York as a part of bringing attention to the Tibetan
cause at the occassion of the 50th anniversary of the UN. 6
persons had taken part and the strike went on for 13 days. On
the 13th day we had to call off the strike as we got a message
from His Holiness. The support then from the community was tremedous
and the same support is still visible today in the community
here in NY.
