By Robert Redding Jr.
Redding News Review
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2005, 11:00 p.m. – Dozens of Ethiopians yesterday braved the cold to protest a forum on the democratization of their country being held at The Washington Times newspaper’s headquarters.
More than 50 protesters chanted “Washington Times break your silence” and held signs that said “Your darling eats his own young” during a more than three hour protest of Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace-sponsored event.
The IIFWP is an organization led by Unification Church founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon, owner of The Times.
IIFWP had invited Aurelia E. Brazeal, former Ethiopian Ambassador, and current Ambassador David H. Shinn to its forum, but other U.S. government and private sector officials attended in their place.
“Those people who are sitting in there are the ones who are supporting the killing in Ethiopia,” said Zenash Teferra, a protester.
Elias Kifle, another protester, agreed.
“We are asking The Washington Times to pay attention to the situation in Ethiopia,” he said. “Right now The Washington Times – and the rest of the media – are ignoring the genocide in Ethiopia, just like they ignored genocide in Rwanda.”
There were no arrest of the protesters who say Ethiopian authorities used excessive force to quell post-election protests that led to at least 82 deaths.
IIFWP Secretary-General James P. Flynn said the protesters left after he allowed two members from the group to address the forum.
“We know this is a polarizing issue and we are trying to allow for some communication,” he said.
Note: This reporter covers Washington, D.C. government for The Washington Times.