A Tibetan refugee walking from Toronto to Ottawa and back, to raise awareness about human rights violations overseas, made a quick stop in Belleville on Wednesday.
Sangyal Kyab is marking the halfway point of his return trip, after starting at the Chinese Embassy in Toronto on June 12 and turning around in the nation’s capitol.
The 29-year-old fled Tibet at the age of 11 and spent time in India, before moving to Canada and taking up the cause to continue the fight for a free Tibet.
His father spent 14 years in a Chinese prison for protesting against what Tibetans see as an illegal occupation of their country.
He tells Quinte News he feels it’s his responsibility to share the message about the oppression Tibetans have faced over the years.
“I was born in Tibet and I know what’s going on there. As a Tibetan living in a free country, I have to represent for my country.”
Members of Belleville’s Tibetan community show support for 29-year-old Sangyal Kyab, who is walking from Toronto to Ottawa and back, raising awareness about human rights violations in Tibet. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Yung Dung is a member of Belleville’s Tibetan community, which was well represented during Kyab’s stopover on Wednesday.
He says Kyab is getting lots of support on his 900km return journey, which sees him cover between 40km and 60km per day.
“People have been really appreciative of what he’s doing. They honk when he’s walking down the highway and they stop every once in a while to read the pamphlets about what he’s doing and his agenda. So a lot of people are learning about what’s happening in Tibet and he’s really happy about that.”
Kyab, who says he drew inspiration for his walk from Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope, was also recognized by Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk on Wednesday.
Panciuk tells Quinte News it’s important for the city to recognize anyone fighting against oppression around the globe.
“We have a small community from Tibet here in Belleville. They reached out to us and wanted us to support this walk for freedom and we’re happy to do so. Oppression is something that happens all across the world and we’re against any of it, so it’s great to be able to encourage these residents that they do have the power to do something about it. That’s what today is about.”
Kyab also stopped at MP Neil Ellis’ Belleville office before continuing on his journey home.
He’s hoping to finish his trip on July 6, the Dalai Lama’s birthday.
You can click here to learn more about Kyba’s Peace Walk for Tibet.
Twnety-nine-year-old Sangyal Kyab receives recognition from Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk on the return leg of his Toronto to Ottawa walk, raising awareness about human rights violations in Tibet. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
A member of Belleville’s Tibetan community shows support for 29-year-old Sangyal Kyab, who is walking from Toronto to Ottawa and back, raising awareness about human rights violations in Tibet. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
