By Netsanet Yimetal

The busiest airport in the world had served more airline passengers than any other the last few years. Yet, this is the first time that the gigantic airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield, had the honor of hosting the most loved leaders of Ethiopia’s opposition delegation to the U.S., Wrt. Birtukan, Dr. Berhanu, Ato Biruk Kebede, Dr. Hailu Araya and Ato Gizachew Shiferraw.

Kinijit leaders in Atlanta [photo: Kinijit Atlanta]

Although the flight arrival time of 3:45 pm was not ideal, the Atlanta believers had trickled down to fill the arrival terminal. As I arrived at the terminal where the crowd was congregating, I could sense the strange yet exciting feeling of belongingness. Of course, as any gathering you can’t help but feel drowned in the beautiful Green, Yellow, Red flag. This great flag of ours maybe the reason I or any other Ethiopian would feel drawn to the crowd. My eyes started wandering around crowd and noticed that the green-yellow-red can be seen in different forms and shapes. Some carry it as a purse; others wore it as a wrist band; and others wore it as a hat; some more carried it as flag; few kids wore it as a scarf.

I could not help but wonder why all these people fought the hostile traffic of Atlanta to be here? This same question can also be raised for the other cities that hosted these leaders. I am sure each and everyone has their own unique reason why they are. There is; however, a common theme that is binding everyone, hope. Hope for better Ethiopia.

The creation of a state that is fair to all its inhabitants regardless of their background.

Wow!!! Fair to all…Isn’t that a radical concept for our people? It may seem a simple concept, but this is really what our people lacked since the dawn of time. At the risk of exaggerating, this is the kind of idea that is so exciting one feels like we are at the cross roads. Historically, most of the people who led us politically lacked the courage to stand for this concept. It does not mean we did not have people with this kind of wish for our people. Unfortunately, these people were too afraid to join in the fight for democracy because of mudslinging politics usually brings. That had changed for good in the election of May, 2005. I can’t help but thank the current government for allowing the election even though the intended consequence was far from what had transpired.

And next question that raced through my mind as I was standing among my people at Hartsfield was What about the rest of the people? Most people wanted to come here and welcome these courageous leaders, but there are others who chose not to come. Yes, as perplexing as it may sound, there are actually Ethiopians who are not supporting them. I guess what is puzzling to me is that what is not to support. These leaders stand for:

o Human rights for all Ethiopians
o Non-violence against the government
o Willingness to work with the current government as long us the ultimate goal is for benefit of the people
o Willingness to be incarcerated for cause of freedom
o Ethiopian based politics, not ethnic based

Obviously, I can go on and on but I am sure the picture is crystal clear. I hope people will come to the Ahaa! moment most of us already had passed and sees these leaders for what they really are. As a matter of fact, I dare say a reasonable EPRDF supporter would come to love the ideals of these leaders if and only if they come out of their shell…

Unexpectedly, the crowd at the Airport roared with scream and woke me up from my brief day dream. It is past 4 pm now in eastern standard time..and YESSSSSS, the leaders of the great movement in the Ethiopian history are here. I thought about the flawless description my hero, Dr. Alemayehu Gebremariam, had in his writing about the welcoming ceremony at the Washington airport. I just wish I could write like him to describe to you the awesome and exhilarating feeling one feels when seeing, for the first time, the unselfish and freedom-seeking leaders of the opposition movement.

The scream and shout of the crowd have changed into patriotic Ethiopian song in about five minutes of the leader’s arrival. I can’t help but be part of the singing bunch. What a feeling! What a Song!

Ethiopiaaaaaaaaaaaa Hagereeeeeeeeeee!!!

Ethiopiaaaaaaaaaaaa Hagereeeeeeeeeee!!!

Ethiopiaaaaaaaaaaaa Hagereeeeeeeeeee!!!

Memekiyaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Neshhh Kibreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Ere gud newuuu! Now, I know exactly what everyone of you out there felt when you had the privilege of welcoming the leaders in your neck of the woods. This will definitely be stamped in my heart for a long time to come.

Right before the Leaders were whisked away to their destination by the Atlanta organizing committee, I had an opportunity to take picture with the leaders. Right after my picture was taken, I turned to Dr. Berhanu, who was standing next to me, and said “THANK YOU!” and he nodded with “MINIM AYEDELEM!” I really think he thought I was thanking him for the picture opportunity. What I was really thanking him for was actually, for all what they have and continue to do for our country, for our people. I was thanking him for their unselfish leadership for the cause of FREEDOM and HUMAN RIGHTS!

Thank you again all of you for gracing our city with your presence!!!

Love and Respect from Atlanta, GA