Melody in Prison: Ngawang Choephel
	UPDATE 4 February 1997

Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and ten other musicians are protesting China's decision to sentence Ngawang Choephel to 18 years in prison. The text of their letter to Vice President Al Gore, who is scheduled to visit China next month, was released by the Milarepa Fund, an educational and charitable organization founded by the rock group Beastie Boys.

February 4, 1997

The Honorable Albert Gore
Vice President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Vice President Gore,

We write to you to express our outrage about the Chinese government's astounding 18-year prison sentence for fellow musician Ngawang Choephel. We believe his imprisonment is deserving of strong response by our government.

A Fulbright scholar, Ngawang spent a year at Middlebury College studying ethnomusicology and film making, skills he would use to preserve traditional Tibetan song and dance. Acting on his lifelong dream to present to the Dalai Lama a cultural document preserving Tibetan arts, Ngawang traveled to Tibet in 1995. After filming for two months, Ngawang was arrested and held incommunicado until his sentencing over this December.

Every person has the right to freedom of expression and to their culture, including music. Ngawang's dedication to his own cultural traditions - the rich heritage of music from the Tibetan plateau - is an inspiration to the Tibetan people, and to the scores of Westerners who know him and heard him perform. Ngawang's principle instrument, the dranyan, a six-string lute, is Tibet's most popular instrument. He is a talented dancer and teacher, having taught traditional song and dance for four years to Tibetan children in exile.

The United States government has repeatedly stated its concern for the protection of Tibet's unique cultural and religious heritage. Ngawang's case is a glaring example of the Chinese government's persecution of Tibetan culture. In an effort to match positive action with the honorable principles already stated by the executive branch, we call on you to condition your upcoming trip to China on the release of Ngawang Choephel.

Very truly yours,

Michael Stipe
Natalie Merchant
Cypress Hill
Alanis Morissette
Rick Rubin
Flea
Adam Yauch
Bonnie Raitt
Dave Matthews
Ben Harper
Sheryl Crow
Tom Petty