Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Robert Thurman, the "Dalai Lama's Man in America" Joins Candle for Tibet

Robert Thurman, whom the New York Times called "The Dalai Lama's man in America," officially supports Candle for Tibet, the biggest single action in the world for a free Tibet.

In France, Marcelle Roux, founder and President of the France-Tibet Association, joins too.


Tel Aviv, August 4 2008

Robert A. F. Thurman, close personal friend of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and father of renowned actress Uma Thurman, has officially joined the Candle for Tibet (CFT) campaign. He will speak and open CFT's public candle lighting in Union Square, NYC, on Thursday August 7th.

"The Candle for Tibet initiative is a most wonderful thing," said Thurman, president of Tibet House US, in a statement sent to Candle for Tibet. "We seem powerless to ameliorate conditions on the ground in the present crisis moment. This peaceful prayer vigil, since it focuses the minds of many millions on the different sufferings of tormented and tormentor alike, is a powerful way to intervene. And it does not preclude anything else we can think of and do further on. I hope everyone who reads this will join in this important effort."

Marcelle Roux, founder and President of the France-Tibet Association, joins CFT campaign in France. Mrs Roux is planning, if her health permits, to open the public candle lighting in Paris.

"Congratulations, my friends, for this fabulous action in favour of freedom in Tibet. Special thanks to Mr David Califa for his dedication and his creativity. Thank you to all the members of Candle4Tibet for their generous and tireless efforts." Said Marcelle Roux, who H.H. the Dalai Lama named "The Mother of the flag"

CFT recently received official support from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Thurman and Roux's participation adds yet more prominent names to the effort. The New York Times has referred to Thurman as "The Dalai Lama's man in America" and Time magazine has named him one of the "25 Most Influential Americans."

The CFT action, named "The Greatest Light Protest on Earth," will start on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 9:00 p.m., when at least 100 million people all over the world will light a candle in public, with friends or at their homes. People can join the action at http://www.candle4tibet.org .

CFT organizers are expecting millions to take parts in public candle lighting events throughout the world. "We can hardly keep up with the flow of incoming events" Says David Califa, who created the campaign and is running it from Tel Aviv. "We have vigils in virtually every major city in the world. The beauty of it is that we organized none of them. It is truly a people's protest". (For a complete list of candle-lit vigils visit http://www.candle4tibet.org/en/vigils )

CFT organizers also encourage all freedom lovers in the world to drive their cars with headlights on during the entire day of Friday, August 8th, 2008, the day of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony,in appreciation of their own freedom.

CFT is additionally calling on all people attending the opening ceremony in Beijing to light candles, lighters, flashlights and cell phones at the moment the Chinese delegation enters the Olympic stadium.

Synchronized with the beginning of the opening ceremony, teams from "Sad Smoky Mountains" will flare the skies with red smoke from skyscrapers, monuments and major buildings In major cities, and from the summits of more than 100 mountains on three continents. (For more information on Sad Smoky Mountains, visit http://www.sadsmokymountains.net/.)

"Mr. Thurman and Mrs. Roux's support of our efforts is very inspiring," said David Califa, who created the Campaign for Tibet four months ago. "It reinforces the importance of our non-violent action and the power it will have for the people of Tibet."

More about Robert A. F. Thurman from his website:

A scholar, author, former Tibetan Buddhist monk, co-founder with Richard Gere of Tibet House in New York City, a close personal friend of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and father of five children including the actress, Uma Thurman, he is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University. Time magazine named him one of the "25 Most Influential Americans." He has lectured all over the world; his charisma and enthusiasm draw packed audiences.

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Candle for Tibet main web site:
http://www.candle4tibet.org
CFT Social Network:
http://candle4tibet.ning.com/
CFT Press Room:
http://www.erichopr.com/releases/c4t.htm

Contact:
David Califa
+972 544 730 090
Email: info@candle4tibet.org

Sad Smoky Mountains web site:
http://www.sadsmokymountains.net/
SSM&S YouTube page:
http://it.youtube.com/user/sadsmokymountains
Images from the May 11th Ignition:
http://www.antersass.it/sadsmokymountains/first_ignition_photos.htm

Contact:
Alberto Peruffo
Email: alberto.peruffo@antersass.it
Tel: +39 444 695140

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