A long time Tibet activist and supporter from United States will be honored with the Light of Truth award according to the press release from the International Campaign for Tibet on Tuesday. The award is being conferred to honor Grace Spring’s many decades of efforts in highlighting the Tibet issue in United States.
“In consideration of her many decades of contribution in putting a spotlight on Tibet, the Boards of the International Campaign for Tibet have decided to bestow Grace Spring with a special Light of Truth Award. ” said the report in the official website of ICT.
According to the report, Grace Spring is an artist, an activist and a Tibetan supporter who for more than 10 years held a solo vigil every Friday morning in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington with a Tibetan national flag and a placard, drawing attention to the plight of the Tibetan people.
Grace told in an earlier interview that she initiated the vigil after the Chinese Government’s clampdown on Tibetan demonstrators in Tibet in 1987, hoping to contribute in bringing the plight of Tibetans to the forefront. While her efforts were also appreciated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama too, Richard Gere, Chairman of ICT, told that the award is to honor her countless contributions in support of the Tibetan people.
“Light of Truth award is to recognize the countless contributions you have made to Tibet, the Tibetan people and His Holiness the Dalai Lama over the past several decades. You have been a fearless and committed activist- not just for our work at the International Campaign for Tibet, but to the broader Tibet movement.” Richard Gere shared with Grace Spring.
The Light of Truth award was began in 1995 and it is bestowed upon individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the public understanding of Tibet and the plight of the Tibetan people. Previous recipients include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, A.M. Rosenthal, Vaclav Havel, Lowell Thomas, Jr., Elie Wiesel, Irmtraut Wäger, people of India, Chinese people who have stood up for Tibet, the Swiss Red Cross, the International Commission of Jurists.
This year’s award ceremony will take place in Burlington, VT, in conjunction with the Tibetan Association of Vermont’s celebration of Losar, Tibetan New Year, on February 17, 2018.
Photo: VOA Tibetan
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