Ethiopians turn out en mass to demand the removal of Meles Zenawi’s regime and oppose The Hague decision
May 14, 2002
Well over a thousand people attended the demonstration in Washington, DC yesterday which opposed the Hague decision, and called for the removal of Meles Zenawi’s dictatorial regime, to be replaced by an all-inclusive Transitional Government in Ethiopia.
The demonstrators started gathering in front of the U.S. Congress at 9 AM carrying Ethiopian flags and placards, some of which read:
*The Traitorous Regime of Meles Zenawi Must be removed!
*An All Inclusive Transitional Government Now!
*The Hague Border Decision is Anti-Ethiopia!
*Ethiopians Reject the Hague Decision!
*U.S. Government: Respect Ethiopia’s Territorial Integrity!
*U.S.: Stop Financing and Supporting the Meles Regime!
*U.S., World Bank, IMF, Stop Financing the Destruction of Ethiopia!
The demonstration formally started at 10 AM with opening remarks by chairman of the demonstration organizing committee, Dr Bekele Molla, and a silent prayer for those who lost their lives fighting for the cause of freedom, human rights and Ethiopia’s territorial integrity. Chairman of the Association of Ethiopian Orthodox Churches in the Washington DC area, Liqe Liqawnt Workneh led the demonstrators with a prayer.
From 10 AM – 12 Noon, the following leaders and representatives of political parties and civic organizations gave short speeches and vowed to struggle in unison:
Ato Mekonnen Zellelew, Tigrean Alliance for National Democracy (TAND); Ato Kedir Mohammed, Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Coalition (SEPDC); Lt. Ayalsew Dessie, Ethiopian Federal Democratic Party (Hibre Hizb); Ato Assefa Depasso, Coalition of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy in Ethiopia (CAFPDE); Col. Asrat Bogale, Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU); Dr Seyoum Gelaye, Ethiopian Medhin Democratic Party (MEDHIN); Ato Fasika Belete, Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Party (EPRP); Ato Wondayehu Kassa, All Amhara People’s Organization (AAPO); Ato Elias Kifle, Ethiopians’ Democratic Party (EDP); and Ato Alemseged Zeleke, Tigrian International Solidarity of Justice and Democracy.
Also representing Ethiopians in various cities in the US, Wro. Meron Ahadu from Los Angeles; Wro. Diana Kidane Mariam from Dallas, Ato Sisay Assefa from Mahidere Andinet in Atlanta GA, and Ato Abate Kassa from New York gave brief solidarity messages.
Many number of Ethiopians also came all the way from Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Florida, Philadelphia and other cities to participate in the demonstration.
At 12 Noon, the demonstrators started marching from US Congress to the State Department, escorted by several police cars flashing their emergency lights . The demonstrators made such a very long line that several cross sections of Pennsylvania Avenue were closed for traffic during the march.
Before arriving at the State Department, the demonstrators stopped by at World Bank and delivered a letter to the Bank’s officials. The demonstrators demanded the World Bank to stop financing the dictatorial regime of Meles Zenawi.
The demonstrators arrived in front of the State Department at 1:30 PM, shouting slogans and displaying hundreds of placards demanding the U.S. Government to Respect Ethiopia’s territorial integrity, and stop supporting the Meles regime which does not represent Ethiopia.
While the demonstrators shouted slogans outside, some of their representatives–Ato Wondayen Kassa, Ato Fasika Belete, Dr. Siyoum Gelaye, Dr. Bekele Molla, Dr. Gebeyehu Ejigou and Wrt Meron Agonafer–went inside the State Department to deliver a written statement and discussed the demands of the demonstrators with the Department’s officials.
In the meantime, the following representatives of organizations and prominent individuals gave short speeches: Ambassador Imru Zelleke, Ato Mulgeta Hailu, All Ethiopian Socialists Movement (MEISON), General Abay Yemanu, the United Ethiopian Civic Organizations (UECO); Ato Alemseged Zeleke, Tigrian International Solidarity of Justice and Democracy; and Ato Tamagn Beyene.
The demonstration ended at 3 PM.
It was a demonstration that brought together all opposition parties, as well as several civic groups. In recent years, it was the most successful joint action in Washington DC by Ethiopian democratic and unity.
Worldwide Demonstrations Coordinating Committee for the Defense of Ethiopia’s Interest and Security – Washington DC
For further information:
Tel: 703- 352-8610, 202-210-9242
E-mail: [email protected]
Member organizations
(Political, Civic, and Radio stations listed alphabetically)
Political Organizations:
Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (ARDUF)
All Amhara People’s Organization (AAPO)
All Ethiopian Socialist Movement (MESION)
Council of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy(CAFPDE)
Ethiopians’ Democratic Party (EDP)
Ethiopian Democratic Union
Ethiopian Democratic Union (Tehadiso)
Ethiopian Federal Democratic Party (Hibre Hizb)
Ethiopian Medhin Democratic Party (MEDHIN)
Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP)
Gambela National Democratic Alliance (GNDA)
Oromo National Congress (ONC)
Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Coalition (SEPDC)
Tigrayan Alliance for National Democracy (TAND)
Civic Organizations:
Council of Concerned Nationals for Ethiopian Security
Concerned Ethiopians in Toronto (Canada)
Ethiopian Democratic Action League (TEGBAR)
Ethiopian National Congress (ENC)
Mahidere Andinet Ethiopian Association in Atlanta
Moa Anbessa
Prominent Persons
Tigrian International Solidarity of Justice and Democracy (TISJD)
Radio Stations:
Aend Ethiopia Radio (Washington DC)
Ethiopiawinet Dimts Radio (Washington DC)
Finote Democracy Voice of Ethiopian Unity (Short Wave Radio)
Hibret Radio (Washington DC)
Mahidere Andinet Radio (Atlanta)
Medhin Dimts Radio (Short Wave Radio)
Netsanet LeEthiopia Radio (Washington DC)
Netsanet LeEthiopia Radio (Short Wave Radio)
Radio Ethiopia (San Francisco Bay Area)
Voice of Ethiopian Unity Radio (Washington DC)
YeAsrat Dimts Radio (Washington DC)
Yehager Fekir Dimts Radio (Washington DC)
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