Ethiopians around the world march for human rights
On May 8, 2000, Ethiopians in Washington DC and London held demonstrations to honor human rights advocate Ato Assefa Maru, who was murdered by Meles Zenawi’s regime three years ago on May 8, and to also express appreciation for Prof. Asrat Woldeyes, Ato Kebede Desta and thousands of other martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of human rights and freedom. The demonstrators demanded freedom for Dr. Taye Woldesemayat, Fit. Mekonnen Dori and thousands of other prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia languishing in TPLF’s prisons under terrible conditions.
The Washington DC demonstration started at 11 AM in front of the White House. Ethiopians from the Washington DC area, and from as far as Atlanta, New York, New Jersey and Pittsburgh participated in the demonstrations.
The demonstration started with a one-minute silent prayer, led by Ato Tesfaye Wogderesen, for those brave Ethiopians who gave up their lives and for those who are languishing in jails for the cause of human rights and justice in Ethiopia. The prayer was followed by an opening speech from a representative of the Ethiopian Democratic Action League, Dr. Mankelklot Haileselassie. Next, Ato Cheru Terefe, who came from Atlanta to participate in the demonstration and Wzr. Semegn Zelleke, who resides in Maryland, gave speeches. Wzr. Semegn is a distinguished lady who fought Fascist Italy’s invading army sixty-five years ago when she was only 13 years old.
Around 12:30 PM, the demonstrators began marching, carrying placards and chanting slogans, some of which included:
WE DEMAND FREEDOM FOR POLITICAL
PRISONERS IN ETHIOPIA!
WE DEMAND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
IN ETHIOPIA!
WE REJECT ETHNIC DIVISION IN ETHIOPIA!
WE WANT UNITY!
AMERICA – STOP SUPPORTING THE DICTATORS
IN ETHIOPIA!
STOP SUPPORTING THE ETHNIC APARTHEID
TYRANNY IN ETHIOPIA!
STOP FINANCING THE DESTRUCTION OF
ETHIOPIA!
The demonstrators marched on 15th Street, Constitution Ave., 17th Street, Pennsylvania Ave., and returned to Lafayette Park in front of the White House. After the march, Ato Shewaferaw Kurate, President of the Ethiopian Lawyers Association, Ato Anteneh Begashaw from Pittsburgh, Ato Abate Kassa from New York, and Ato Elias Woldu from Baltimore gave brief speeches.
In London, England, the demonstration started at 3 PM in front of the Ethiopian embassy. The demonstrators voiced similar messages as those voiced by demonstrators in Washington DC. The fact that it was raining did not deter demonstrators from coming out.
In South Africa, the demonstration was held on May 27 in front of Office of the President in Pretoria. Members of the Ethiopian Community Association held a meeting on May 8 to show their support for the May 8 demonstrations in other cities.
Ethiopians in Geneva, Switzerland and Amsterdam, Holland also held similar meetings and passed resolutions honoring Assefa Maru and other martyrs of human rights in this Ethiopian Human Martyrs’ Day.
In Germany, a demonstration was planned to be held on May 11, in Wiesbaden.
In a statement issued after the demonstration, the Ethiopian Democratic Action League pledged that it will continue and intensify the struggle until all prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia are released, and the human rights of all Ethiopians are respected.
“We will intensify our struggle against the TPLF regime’s ethnic apartheid system, which is causing so much suffering in our country. We will continue to give voice to voiceless Ethiopians,” the statement added.
The League’s statement described the condition in Ethiopia under Meles Zenawi’s ethnic apartheid dictatorship as follows:
* Over eight million Ethiopians are exposed to famine.
* The health care system has totally collapsed exposing millions of Ethiopians to AIDS, Malaria and other epidemics.
* Ethnic rivalry and clashes instigated by the regime has caused the displacement and death of tens of thousands of people.
* Fifteen thousand political prisoners are languishing in disease infested jails.
* The regime’s misguided policy towards Eritrea has brought another cycle of war in northern Ethiopia.
* Environmental degradation is continuing at an extremely alarming rate.
The Ethiopian Democratic Action League stated that the ethnic apartheid tyranny in Ethiopia must be made accountable for these problems.
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Prepared by ER staff