When it comes to Ethiopian politics, Los Angeles is rarely mentioned. It is a city with the second or third largest number of Ethiopians, but it is a place where the least political activity goes on. South Dakota is mentioned more often than Los Angeles when it comes to Ethiopian politics. That has changed yesterday. Ethiopians in Los Angeles put their city back on the map by hosting Kinijit leaders and raising over $51,000 at a Kinijit town hall meeting. The total amount could reach $55k when funds collected at a dinner party are included in the final figure.
The Kinijit leaders arrived in Los Angeles Sunday morning accompanied by renowned artist and radio host Abebe Belew. They were given a warm welcome at the LAX Airport. After taking a short break, they headed to the town hall meeting which lasted 5 hours. It seemed that no body wanted to leave even after the meeting was over. Hundreds stayed behind to talk among themselves and take pictures with the Kinijit delegates.
Kinijit leaders arrive in Los Angeles [photo: Kinijit Los Angeles]
The next major event will be in Atlanta where Kinijit is more than politics — it is a culture.
27 thoughts on “Los Angeles Ethiopians are awakened”
Hey what is up with Los Angeles? For a city of such a big size and with so many Ethiopians living there only $55K? $10K behind Seattle? It is hard to believe. I want to know why?
What’s up, LA. What is wrong with you? Is that because of the new TPLF counsiling office is there? are you in payrol? let’s know. It is very true KINIJIT couldn’t pay our bill, that is no jock! who the hell is the Ethiopian people any way? We are here in the best continenet of the world with a little less than our dream city in Heaven.
Dear Abiy,
Please do not mention the name of Seattle in vain. Had it not been for the nefarious activities of the so called ‘Seattle Chapter Eexecutive Comittee’ that are clearly in the pockets of ShaleQa Yoseph, Seattle surely could have topped DC. As it happens it is only a STRONG second and that could change in Atlanta (I hope it does because Kinijit needs every penny that it could get raise time around).
A couple of the Seattle Kinijit Support Chapter executive Committee members and and their EPRP allies were clearly on STEROIDS, working over time by distributing pamphlets, rumors and innuendo and making calls to all the people in town with money and influence NOT to show up for the meeting. What happened in Seattle is clearly a lesson in the ABCD of grassroots activism. A couple of spirited patriotic Ethiopians, spearheaded by Shakespear Feyisa and others formed an impromptu adhoc hosting committee that did all the ground work in four meetings in less than two weeks to host the heroes of Kinijit successfully. Please remember that members of this adhoc committee never knew or met each other before the first meeting. As it happened love of Ethiopia and the unity of purpose was enough to glue them together to achieve what they achieved in Seattle.
Kinijit is a Spirit!
Respectfully,
-Surafel
The main problem with LA is lack of committed organisers otherwise we are in the same spirit and moral with other fellow Ethiopians,even we managed to smansh a consorted woyane affilated meeting recently.the majority of LA Ethiopian Diaspora particpating in ECADF pro-kinijit paltalk group.as every body knows that “distance” is no more a problem in the cyber world of 21st century.together we have to stand in unison against Dictatorship and Human right violation in every part of the world.TPLF days are numberd Zenawi is in fear of popualr uprising he knows that tha Ethiopian people had enough of his ethinisist divisive political system we know we shall win!
Once upon a time Dr.Taye W/semayat was a true son of Ethiopia.After he himself disassocited from ETA.He is sawing poision seeds amongest the supporters of Cudp and the top delegetes. I am advising him to disassociate from
Shaleqa.I am admiring Shakespear Feysa ,his colleagues and and supportors of cud delegets of their succesull event.
ለተከበሩ ዋና አዘጋጂ
የቅንጅት መሪዎች በአሜሪካ የሚያደርጉትን ጉብኝት ሲያጠናቅቁ ተመሳሳይ ጉብኝት በኢትዮ ክልሎች ያደርጋሉ
አበራ ከመቂ ኦሮሞያ
This is the beginning, we appreceiate them for the amount of money they contributed.
Abiy,
Why are you worried about the fund raised in LA? Have you given your share?
Lagos)
EDITORIAL
8 October 2007
Posted to the web 8 October 2007
Lagos
“ECHOES of tyranny and its attendant discord in Ethiopia have been sources of major concern to democrats from other parts of Africa.
Attempts at gagging the opposition have resulted in stiff sentences and convictions of human rights activists and journalists. As is often the case in many parts of the continent, the contentious issue is the result of last May’s elections, which was in favour of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. There have been mass protests. The opposition challenged the results on the streets.
The government was miffed. It ordered police to disperse the unarmed demonstrators with maximum force.
Official figures put the dead at 193, 99 of who were women and children while six police officers were said to have died. In addition, 1,000 demonstrators were wounded. In annoyance, the Zenawi government arrested and arraigned 100 people opposed, to it, for “plotting against the constitution”.
Among the persecuted were members of the Coalition of Unity and Democracy, an opposition party, Professor Mestin Wolde Mariam, founder, Ethiopian Human Rights Council and many others, including some journalists. Last July, 30 accused were sentenced to life imprisonment, five others were sentenced in absentia – two journalists and other s were sentenced to various jail terms.
From the manner the trial was conducted, it is doubtful if the accused persons were given fair hearing. Zenawi did everything to hang those who dissented with him. Abraham Tetmke, state prosecutor, asked the court to impose death penalty on some of the accused just for standing up against official trampling on their political rights.
Zenawi is holding to the power he got 16 years ago, when the military chased Haile Mengistu out of office. Mengistu had been in power for 16 years, following his coup that ended the reign of Haile Selassie, Africa’s longest ruling despot, who ascended the throne at 38 and was killed in the 1975 coup, 45 years on. Zenawi has learnt well. In the past 77 years, he is Ethiopia’s third ruler.
Its development is also indexed on the fact that each of these three rulers spent his time battling for their long stay in power.
Relevant Links
East Africa Ethiopia Human Rights
National and international umbrage does not seem to matter when the conviction of his perceived political foes is his focus. For Zenawi, the throne is his and no rivals are permitted in what is deemed a democracy. The world must stand up against Zenawi’s conduct. The world is now a global village where every country should abide by civilised conduct. Belated responses to the situations in Iraq, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Liberia allowed them to degenerate to colossal loss of lives and pure agony for those who survived.
International pressure is required to make Ethiopia, where the African Union, with its Human Rights Commission, is ironically still headquartered, to comply with the ideals of the founding fathers of that organisation, ideals rooted in protecting the rights and dignity of our peoples.
Ethiopia needs to be saved from Zenawi, now.”
Is it the time to turn face one another while our country is facing an international known Ethnic unita? Don’t take a quick judgment with out knowing who is who for real. Latter on you will be disappointed and worst than that the people struggle will be weakened, not stopped, that will never ever happened after so many massacred and sacrifices have been paid and still is continuing. As we all know, Hailue shawel facing the woyane crime against Ethiopia for many years since they came in. His credibility and integrity is well tested and is still strong. He never worked for woyane or never been friend with them except being the same citizens. he have no quarrel with any one naturally, but because the common country. As we all know, back home he has many supporters. The base to the struggle is also at home not in Diaspora. Money or other things do play as instruments but commitment and trust are they only factor to achieve results.
unity is the only choice. Other than that no one will benefit while the people will lose. Kinijit has millions of followers and about 60 liali members. Do we know how the majority of the 60 liali members are saying about? Think about it. Don’t rush to take judgment and inflame the situation but take your time and act according to the result will be good to the people. You can’t judge people with their smart talk. Can you judge meles or the rest of EPRDF members when they talk about their country? No. Because all of them are talking good about their country while doing differently.
I’m not sure this writing will be allowed to be posted, but in any case I will say again, if Hailue shawel treatment continues the way it goes by some groups and individuals, the situation will worsen and the party will reach to the point we all are looking for. Hailue showel party was there for long time. He had more than 100 offices all over the country before the 2005 election. We know he will not stop fighting fro the country in a peaceful way. But I’m not sure what the other group going to do? Unity is one, division is many zeros. Think about it.
Elias,
What is going on? How come you do not have up to the minute report about LA.? ER is the only viable news outlet on Ethiopian politics.
51k ? damn I heard life is hard in cali but never thought it was as deep.! Even with the high coast of living, Washington D.C raised 142k, they should at least have gave half of D.C. .
As much as the lies , political partys, churchs…etc… Washington D.C managed to be #1 in the World, when it comes to being a back bone of cudp.
Do not forget living cost in LA is expensive, 55K is good
Not happy with Los Angeles. The number of Ethiopians in Los Angeles is at least three times more than in Seattle, yet they could not even equal the amount of money raised there. Where is the problem? Is it with the people in LA, or the organizers? I am inclined to think that the organizers did not do a good job bringing the community together. From what I see it is a small click of friends.
Good job LA, but I know you can do better. You need to go back to the drawing table and figure out how you can moblize the large Ethiopian community in LA. From what I hear you don’t even have a decent radio program.
As was surprised to note that most of the contribution probably 2/3 of it came from very few commited individuals. Even those individuals were not willing to be identified by their name. They rather opted to remain ” anonymous”. Had it not been for few brave Ethiopians who pleadged $3,000 and $2000 and $1000 LA could have suffered a lot. What is wrong? I have heard that the Woyane Consular has clearly warnned and recklessly threatened them. Nonetheless, thank you for those who didn’t heed for the warnning.
When you look at the amount of money raised in a city, you need to know how many people showed up! When you talk about LA, you need to remember all the “Duleta” against KINIJIT bu Eng. Mogus & Co. was done at his home in Pasadena, CA (a suburb of LA) and they tried their best to confuse people about the meeting time & place, they fought the real KINIJIT LA tooth & nail not to make this meeting happen.
I have a great appreciation and admiration to those who dedicate their precious time and money to raise funds to the CUD.
Let’s stop comparing one to another. Let’s all do what we can
I personally can’t wait for CUD delegates to come to Canada and thank them in person for what they did and doing for the people of Ethiopia.
Mahlet
What do you expect when you have Mogus Brook and alike as Kinijit leaders in LA area for a while.
LA has so many brilliant and true Ethiopians. But somehow, this group able to get the upper hand and formed an inner circle which mainly blocks for any person or idea to come through. They operate as if they are running a business which is owned by 5 or 6 people. They are clueless that Kinijit is a political organization which absolutely needs to be supported by the people and entertain differences and bring new ideas into the table.
I hope, regardless of the current division between kinijit, LA would get better leaders, organizers who will bring all the community in line with this noble agenda and cause. I am also certain that the community in LA will work hard to support an organization that stands for peace, democracy, and prosperity to our overly deprived society and battle those who only dream to take advantage of the situation and to maximize or benefit their own interest.
Hi Elias,
God bless you. You are doing a great job to save Kinijit. You aborted Dergist, EPRP, EDU, Socialists, Lumpens movement to highjack Kinijit. Keep up the good work our next step will be gathering our evidences and try in court those who killed and tortured so many our brothers and sisters back home during their Derg era. Mirchaw Sineshaw, Eyasu Alemayehu, Mersha yosef,and Taye Woldesemayat are number one enemy of ethiopian people trying to divide and integrate for their power monger behavior. Enough is enough every individual must tell them to stop their reckless behavior against their own people. Los angeles I guess they did a lot to get the fundrising. One of the monster in Shaleka Yosef gang memeber was trying every bit to stop the fundrising. He was hiring peoples to distribute false lefelates to miss inform the LA residents. Besides all that struggle they come to greet their leaders and made a wonderful events. Ato or Engineer Mogus Brook I guess he got his engineer title after he got the patent for Kinijit Logo. What a shameful act at hise age. If I were you I hang myself instead of distracting my own people. What a damn.
most of people in LA drive a car that they do not afford, so do not be surprised if they only raised 50K.
I am an LA resident and my analysis is that
1)Not enough organizational work was done to inform the average Ethiopian that resides in and around LA about the meeting. Flyers should have been distributed widely at restuarants, churches, airports, etc.
2) The perceived division within Kinijit must have discouraged a lot of patriotic Ethiopians from sacrificing a few hours to attend the meeting
3) It does not help to have the likes of Ato Mogus Brook and co. residing in LA and spreading their rumors against the group that organized the meeting
4) Basic lack of organizational skills even showed in the selection of the meeting place which was not even lighted properly!
I was disappointd at the turnout and the amount of money raised, but hopefully we will do better next time, provided the internal division and proper infrastructure setup is done.
51k ? damn I heard life is hard in cali but never thought it was as deep.! Even with the high coast of living, Washington D.C raised 142k, they should at least have gave half of D.C. .
As much as the lies , political partys, churchs…etc… Washington D.C managed to be #1 in the World, when it comes to being a back bone of cudp.
I wonder if any of you contributed any money.Why are you wasting your time on who how much money gave. Give your share and let others give what they can afford. Mind your own business.
For those of you who care, Moges Brook and his fellow disgraced friends reside in LA. There was an unprecedented attempt by these individuals spreading false rumors and posting leaflets around town. It could have been organinzed better, but given the circumstances, It turns out ok. It was a good day for democracy as the majority of the people showed a sign of eagernes to participate more and to help the LA chapter be strong.
Dear brothers and sisters
It is not the time to fight over the contribution. What matters at this critical moment is our full support and committment to the CUD leadres and the CUD cause. We have to learn to speak like one person in order to dismantle the Woyane’s subtle movement and eventually get rid of them. Let us consentrate on the main issues. As the saying remind us, the whole is much more important than the parts.
Menelik Asfaw
These Demons Eprps were the only ones prematurely put on their web sites “Losangeles said no to CUD leaders …” Contrary to EPRP’s wishfull thinking the Ethio Angelinos welcome our heroes with full love and passion. It was magnanomous. I here by called upon all ethiopians to join me to say down with eprp! down to the hell hole! Back off !
Well considering the living cost in LA we did very good. Before passing your jugement please do cost of living calculation in each city. you cna use this calculator. http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html
if LA give 50k, what should your city give? Do math.