Robert Thurman, whom the New York Times called
"The Dalai Lama's man in America" officially supporting
Candle for Tibet, the world's largest single action for a free Tibet—
to begin on eve of Beijing Olympics opening ceremony

In France, Marcelle Roux, founder and President of the France-Tibet Association, also joins campaign

(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 9PM public candle lighting in Union Square, NYC, on Thursday August 7th, the eve of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

"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."

Prior to announcing the candle lighting, Mr. Thurman will be one of many speakers and performers at Union Square, beginning at 7PM, as part of a pre-Olympics event organized jointly by Students for a Free Tibet, The Tibetan Community of NY and NJ, The Tibetan Youth Congress of NY and NJ, and the Tibetan Women's Association.

Marcelle Roux, founder and President of the France-Tibet Association, will be joining the Candle for Tibet 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 theirgenerous and tireless efforts," said Marcelle Roux, who H.H. the Dalai Lamanamed "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.  In addition, Tibetan diva, Yungchen Lhamo, a longtime CFT supporter, is also expected to participate in the Union Square event. The New York Times has referred to Robert 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 are expected to 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 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:

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.

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: [email protected] 
 
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: [email protected]
Tel:  +39 444 695140