Hundreds of Ethiopians residing in the Washington DC Metro Area gathered on Saturday at the Unification Church to say thank you to former members of the Kinijit International Leadership (K.I.L.).
The event was organized by Netsanet LeEthiopia Radio, Addis Dimts Radio, Mebt Radio, Ethiopian Review, and Tegbar League in collaboration with the Kinijit DC Metro Chapter.
The program was opened with a prayer and brief welcoming remarks by Kinijit DC Metro Chapter Chairman Ato Yilma Adamu, Treasurer Dr Abraham Bekele, and Secretary General Ato Sisay Dimamu.
The organizers, Ato Alem Fekade (Netsanet LeEthiopia Radio), Wzr Amakelech Seyoum (Tegbar League), Ato Abebe Belew (Addis Dimts Radio), Ato Meshesha Biru (Mebt Radio), and Ato Fekade Shewakena (Kinijit Radio) took turns to speak and express their appreciation to the K.I.L. members for keeping the Kinijit movement going under extremely difficult conditions.
K.I.L. members Dr Moges Gebremariam, Ato Berhan Mewa, Ato Andargachew Tsige, Dr Gebreye Wolde-Rufael, Ato Dawit Kebede and Ato Daniel Assefa each received specially made plaques from organizers of the event as an expression of appreciation for their tireless effort.
Lastly, Ato Tefera Mekonnen, chairman of the event, invited the former K.I.L. members to take speak.
The audience received the K.I.L. members with standing ovations. Some participants were observed crying as the former K.I.L. officials recounted the difficulties they had faced and what they were able to accomplish during the 21 months they led Kinijit on behalf of the jailed leaders.