New Jersey: On 8 March 2025, the Tibetan national flag was raised in front of the East Rutherford municipal building in New Jersey, USA.

East Rutherford is home to a growing Tibetan community, with Tibetan families settling in the area since 2008. In recent years, their presence has strengthened, leading to the establishment of Seeds of Tibet, an organisation that has set up a weekend school for Tibetan children.

According to Kungsang Dorji, president of Seeds of Tibet, the local Tibetan community has fostered a strong relationship with the East Rutherford municipal office. Following efforts made during last year’s 10 March commemoration, the municipal office officially decided to raise the Tibetan flag, a tradition that continued this year on 8 March.

At 10 a.m., East Rutherford Mayor Jeffrey Lahulliar officially declared 8 March as Tibet Day. Following this announcement, State Assembly member Nellie Pou and Mayor Lahullier jointly hoisted the Tibetan national flag.

The flag-raising ceremony was attended by over 100 people, including representatives from the New York and New Jersey Tibetan Community Association, the Tibetan Liaison Officer from the Office of Tibet-Washington DC, Tibetan residents from the region, organisers from Seeds of Tibet, and officials from the East Rutherford municipal office.

During the ceremony, Assembly member Nellie Pou and Mayor Lahullier delivered speeches expressing their support for Tibet and appreciation for Tibetan culture.

Later that evening, Seeds of Tibet organised a gathering at the East Rutherford municipal meeting hall to celebrate the Wood-Snake Tibetan New Year. The event was attended by Assembly member Nellie Pou, Mayor Lahullier, and other local officials. Assembly member Pou reaffirmed her support for the Tibetan cause in her speech.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC