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UPDATE – Ethiopians hold Vigil for Ali Mohammed (photos)

Posted on , Updated on by EthiopianReview.com

6:30 PM — Hundreds of Ethiopians in the Washington DC Area are holding candle light vigil for Ali Mohammed on 9th and U Street. The vigil started at 6 PM. [Read about Ali here]

[Photos by Abebe Belew and Fitsum Girma]


Vigil for Ali outside DC9 at 9th and U Street

Ali’s sister at the vigil


DC Councilman Jim Graham

Tamagn Beyene

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Letter Ronald C. Machen Jr. US attorney’s office for the District of Columbia

Ronald C. Machen Jr.
US attorney’s office for the District of Columbia
555 4th street NW Washington, DC 20530.

Dear District Attorney Machen Jr.,

We are contacting you on behalf of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE), an international social justice organization; committed to defending the rights of Ethiopians both in the Diaspora and within Ethiopia. We want to alert you to our serious concerns regarding the recent violent assault and subsequent death of a 27-year-old Ethiopian man, Ali Ahmed Mohammed, in Washington D.C. on October 15, 2010 at the hands of the owner and four employees from the nightclub, DC 9.

We do not defend Mr. Mohammed’s own actions that caused property damage to the DC 9 nightclub, but believe those reportedly involved in his brutal and horrific murder should be held accountable under the law of the United States of America. Instead of calling the police and letting the courts decide on the outcome, reports indicate that the owner and four of his employees from the DC 9 nightclub chased Mr. Mohammed down the street, threw him to the ground and then beat him and brutally stomped on his head and body. He died only 45 minutes later. What began as property damage to a window by Mr. Mohammed, led to a savage five-man gang assault against this one unarmed man.

We in the Ethiopian community are not only saddened by the loss of this man, we are also deeply disturbed by your office’s decision to amend the charges from Second Degree Murder to Aggravated Assault, despite the police reports and eyewitnesses that closely connect this brutal assault to Mr. Mohammed’s death. We would first ask why these charges were reduced; hoping that those original charges will soon be reinstated; however, if they are not, we would ask for an explanation.

We believe that transparency and rigorous adherence to the law can quell any suspicions; including concerns among Ethiopian Americans that somehow, his death will be attributed to other causes. Yet, as one can see from the picture above, the evidence that the attack was violent and vicious has left its bloody trail on the pavement.

There were also multiple eye-witnesses; both Ethiopian and non-Ethiopian, who will be able to testify to the heavy blows on his head and body that would have easily caused his death less than an hour later.

Ethiopians throughout the world, many of whom are very connected to each other through new technologies, are closely watching this case. They are shocked by the amended charges, but still maintain hope in the integrity of the American justice system. In Washington DC alone, we have over 300,000 Ethiopian Americans who are good citizens, hard-working people and law-abiding. Most have come to this great American land after running away from the rampant injustice, lack of political rights and corruption within Ethiopia; a country where political alliances and cronyism regularly pervert justice.

We ask you to show us an irrefutable example of American justice being served; even if it requires independent medical examiners, forensic experts, independent investigators, a change of court venue or other actions that may become necessary to create greater trust in the system and its fair, non-biased outcome.

We in the SMNE, are standing together with other Ethiopians and justice-loving people to make sure that the rule of law is followed because this young man who died was not just an unknown Ethiopian immigrant or a young man with a Muslim name or someone who committed a wrongful property crime, but he is our American family member, one of us and above all, a human being created by God who did not deserve to die this way. We believe in humanity before anything else and that until justice is served to all; the justice of all is threatened.

As an organization representing the Ethiopian people, we in the SMNE have already contacted a major law firm in Washington DC about some of the facts of this case. They have agreed to work with the SMNE, the Ethiopian community and the family as questions, difficulties or issues arise surrounding this case. We are also willing to assist your office as able.

We look forward to hearing from you. For more information on the SMNE, you may view our website at: solidaritymovement.org.

Sincerely yours,

Obang Metho;
Executive Director of the SMNE
PO Box 50561
Arlington, VA 22205
Phone: (202) 725-1616
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.solidaritymovement.org

32 thoughts on “UPDATE – Ethiopians hold Vigil for Ali Mohammed (photos)”

  2. Thanks a lot Elias! This is what is called journalism of relevance and journalism of conscience; closer to the people and closer to the issues and growing bigger than one self.

    We were among the first to be there since “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” as Martin Luther King correctly stated in this very good country.

    We need to build on Martin Luther’s active mission and vision and fight actively for justice, in unity within diversity.

    “All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”
    ~Edmund Burke has to state long ago.

  9. If Ali were to be physically among us, he would have certainly told us how damn proud he was of what had had happened the evening of October 19th – along 9th St NW, Washington DC.
    Great job everyone!

  11. Excellent start for those who organized the and executed the vigil. We are very proud of Messrs. Kifle, Metho and all of you. Next steps should focus on investigations and layer issues whether moral, advice financial or otherwise, along with strong presence in next court proceeding. Thank you brothers and sisters.

  12. This was what we have all been looking for, Ethiopians in unity for one central cause, Ali’s death now has brought Christians, Muslims and all Ethnicity groups like Amharas, Tigres, Ormomos…together to shout for one purpose which is “Justice for all”, I wish the same unity was demonstrated by all groups of Ethiopians when almost 300 people were killed on broad daylight just to make sure the Hodams stay in power.
    Elias, God bless you and please keep us posted for those of us who are too distant to be there.
    RIP Ali may God bless your soul and keep you.

  14. Ethiopian community at its best!
    Your strength and values can only glow & reflect when united.
    When it comes to justice, One for all……All for one.
    Those who did this dispicable act and to those who dare to do it, will quaking in their boots when they see such strong united community.
    God bless your struggle for justice.

  17. Dear Mr. Obang,
    Thank you for writing this letter in behalf of all Ethiopians, especially Ali’s immediate family to get justice. I am very pleased that your Association have also contacted additional law firm to monitor Ali’s case closely. I hope Ethiopian associations have also contacted The Southern Poverty Law Center to help our Ethiopian bother Ali’s family to get justice. SPLC — is a non-profit dedicated organization known to deliver justice for victims of hate and bigotry.

    Thanks Elias, great job!

  18. yeh! it used to be the polices who used to do the cover-ups. It is very sad when politicians encourage the cover up. The police is at the side of the at this time. It shows how desperate are these politicians to get campaign money.

  19. I told you so, we Ethiopians can do it.
    Thanks to those who participated, you have done a good job. Let us not stop here but move on from here for justice. Altough some of us live far from D.C, let us know if you need us, we will do our part.

  22. ቆይ እስቲ እሱስ አትገባም ከተባለ ወዲያ በአሜሪካ ምድር የምን በመስኮት ተቀጣጣይ ነገር መወርወር ነው (ያዉም የሱን ኪስ ሊሞላ ሳይሆን የሱን አጉድሎ የነሱን ለመሙላት)??? ጎበዝ ለቀሪው ትምህርት ይሁን… ገና ለገና በኢትዮጵያ ባህል ሙት አይወቀስም እና በሰለጠነው አለም እየኖርን የሙዋችንም ጥፋት እንይ …ነብሱን ይማር ብያለሁ

  24. It is really sad to hear that our brother died in the hands of 5 men. How dare they thought that the lost life of my country man will be taken lightly.

    Though the pain is there forever for the family, friends and all Ethiopians who lost the life of this young man,solidarity shown by Ethiopian all over the world is really healing.

    May his soul rest in PEACE!

  25. #22,
    No one is denying that Ali acted stupidly, because of too much alcohol consumptions, but not enough to loose a life over. The broken window can always be replaced, but the precious life that is destroyed by five men cannot be replaced, and Ali’s parents will never get their son back.

  26. I am deeply saddened by what happened to this young gentleman, Rest In Peace and my condolences to his family and his friends. I think for all of us this is going to be a lesson to be learnt in hard way, unfortunately. Elias, Obang Meto and all Ethiopians in DC Metro area who stand by the side of the family thank you all. God bless you

  27. I call upon my Ethiopian brothers and sisters to keep pressing for justice according the law of the land. It is against the law and criminal to take someone’s life for breaking a window. I hope and pray that the issue will soon be resolved amicably by the authorities and most of all raw emotions will not take over. From what I saw in one of the pictures about the incidence on this website and others alike, there was a wide blood splatter right on the pavement or the sidewalk where the gentleman might have been slammed to the ground. And the man was dead in less than an hour after that. Well that does not happen in a non-violent submission. Again, I hope and pray that the issue will be resolved very soon according the law which has saved us from our own wolves that once ruled our old country and blanketed us for the current specter that is rampaging unchecked back home. Insha Allah!!!!

  28. Shamba Bolongogo #2,
    Well said brother,
    ”Injustice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere”
    We the justice loving and pro democracy forces of Eritrea want to let you know that we are with you every step of the way in the fight for justice.
    We shouldn’t let these blood sucking bastards to get away with it and they should be charged for manslaughter.
    Our hearts go out to his families and loved ones.
    May God rest Ali’s soul in peace.

  29. With out any weapon, they systematically punched and slammed him to the pavement and they also stomped him. The pavement looked like a sketch by an artist with a red paint. That much blood on the ground wasn’t convincing enough to tell the attorney general that brutal murder occurred. This is worst than racism. I have never witnessed this much cruelty and racism in my stay in the U.S.A.

    What to do now, first we all have to picture this kid begging for mercy while being punched and kicked saying please.. please… please… that is what the witness on the spot heard. He told them please that is enough and they 3 whites and 2 blacks did kill him. If Ethiopians in this area will sleep peacefully and do not respond to any racist outcome of this case then I will really lose my Ethiopianess. If he was hispanic the place would be burning. If he was black the people who attacked him probably would get the same fate. If he was white the attorney general would never allow the second degree murder charge to change to agravated assault. We Ethiopians are very peace loving people but we have to use every lawful means to make sure justice prevails. I am never defending Ali’s action but what happened to him doesn’t amount to murder in a land of law.

  30. Ene yemilew …. Ategebu yalew restaurant Etete yilal ena habesha yemibal wegen beza sehat ena bota alneberemin?Lelaw liju bichawin nebere yameshew? Just lemawek silefelgin new hunetaw yehulachininm lib yemineka newna.
    Le Ali beteseb mesnanatin enmegnalen. Yayu ke Belgium.

  32. tezibt,
    I agree with your comment sans the ‘racism’ claim. I hoped and prayed that such claim will not creep in here with its ugly face. Our African brothers and sisters are targets of racism themselves and they cannot afford to be racist the same way as any Jewish person cannot afford to be a racist. Some may be xenophobic and that is all. The fact is that such people who go into the business of neighborhood nite clubs are in one of way or another connected to the gray area of criminal underworld. They hire people from such background as security and bouncers. These are mean-spirited individuals who are battle-hardened in the hoods. So, they will kill anyone. He doesn’t need to be an Ethiopian. They call police only after they do their version of justice. Sad to say, it is not their culture. Some of these rotten rap songs (No offence to the younger generation) pump brute-laced lyrics into their ears glorifying such heinous acts. There are several examples of such violent endings connected to nite clubs all around the country. These are brutal killers who should not be allowed to walk free by the authorities. Again, I agree with you all who were out there on a vigil. But, I hope and pray that spontaneous and raw emotions will not be allowed to take over the crowd. We had come here from very rich and cultured values. I call upon prominent brothers like Brother Elias to calm the crowd and preach peaceful protest. We should take this occasion as an opportunity to tell our young generation persistently not to be around such places and they should spend more time at schools studying. May Allah Bless His Soul!!!!

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