Dear John,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe in these difficult and strange times. We’ve all been challenged on many levels. As we all continue to lose family, friends and neighbors to the pandemic, division, mindlessness and disinformation conspire to numb us. My wife and I are no exception. We long for basic kindness and safety.

Yet I’ve been inspired by the incredible generosity and kindness I’ve witnessed around me. People are ultimately good at our core, and we know there is light ahead.

I’m grateful and hopeful for the incoming administration, and the promise of a more thoughtful, responsible embrace of each other, our allies and the world. I look forward to the reaffirmation of America’s longstanding commitment to human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

This reengagement of truth and decency is supremely needed now, and your ICT remains committed to the fight for these principles every step of the way.

For nearly forty years, I’ve been extremely fortunate to be able to support the Tibetan people. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision of a better world and a genuine, peaceful coexistence with the Chinese people continues to energize us.

Many of you have been longtime supporters of that vision, and we’ve walked that long road together. I rejoice in our newer friends and want them to know, while it hasn’t always been easy— it has always been an honor to stand with our brothers and sisters in Tibet, and with each other. It’s been the right thing to do and it has been worth it. The Tibetan peoples’ centuries-old practice of nonviolence and universal responsibility is incredibly important to us—possibly even more today as humanity struggles on this small, beautiful planet. Yet despite the inspiring presence of His Holiness, the Chinese government has doubled down on its systemic coercion, violence and repression of the Tibetan people.

While His Holiness the Dalai Lama has called on us all to protect the environment everywhere, the Chinese government continues to pillage, mine and dam the delicate Tibetan Plateau. While Tibetan Buddhists should enjoy the most basic of human rights, religious freedom, and clearly the right to recognize their own religious leaders, the Communist Party plots to install a fake Dalai Lama in an attempt to control and manipulate religious practice, the very heart of a Tibetan.

China's leaders have taken increasingly extreme measures to hide their dark policies in Tibet by denying access to travelers and international observers who could tell Tibet's story truthfully and forcefully. Our Tibetan brothers and sisters have been in a military lockdown for 60 years and it simply must end, which is why my friends and I have made this commitment: we will match your donation dollar for dollar to support Tibetans in their struggle to survive.

Through ICT’s powerful advocacy and truth-telling reporting, we have made and will continue to make great progress. In a year as challenging as 2020, you helped us succeed in informing world leaders and keeping people of conscience focused on Tibet, while drawing attention to the Chinese government’s bullying, manipulation and lying on the international stage—whether in Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, India or the South China Sea.

But the good fight is not over yet. Helping Tibetans protect religion, language, culture and environment will be ongoing. Their freedom won’t come as quickly as we hoped, but Tibet supporters like you and I understand that.

We are in it for the long haul. We know that real change—deep change—takes time, patience and determination. It is our stubborn solidarity that in the end will win.

So join us as we continue this fight together, and let us match your gift for Tibet today.

As always, I remain thankful for your time, your consideration—your generosity and commitment—especially in a year like this.

I wish you and your loved ones health and joy always.

Gratefully,


Richard Gere
Chairman
ICT Board of Directors