Today Ethiopian Americans held a successful demonstration across the street from the State Department in Washington where they expressed their outrage and concerns regarding the continued incarceration of the prominent political leader Mrs. Birtukan Mideksa and thousands of political prisoners in Ethiopia.

The protesters asked the US government and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to demand the immediate release of the Ethiopian pro-democracy leader Birtukan Mideksa and thousands of prisoners of conscience . They also requested the US makes a radical change in it’s relationship with Ethiopia’s dictatorial rulers who are playing major role  destabilizing the country and the Horn of Africa. Representatives of the protesters delivered a letter addressed to the Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton which demands the immediate release of Mrs. Birtukan Mideksa and all political prisoners in Ethiopia. In addition, on the letter to Secretary Clinton, the Ethiopian Americans emphasized the worsening of the political climate in Ethiopia in regard to free and fair election and respect for basic human rights. The protesters represented all different kind of organizations and groups around US, Canada and Europe.

Speakers and guest participants who appeared at the protest included:

• Mr. Teklae (LiJ) from Canada
• Mr. Kebede from Canada
• Mr Yohannes from DC ( Gasha)
• Mrs. Fikerte , Ethiopian Women for Peace and Development
• Mr. Yonatan from Atlanta (freebirtukan.org)
• Mr. Aregawi Berhe, PhD, who is one of the founders of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Tigrai Alliance for National Democracy (TAND) and the author of the new book entitled “A Political History of TPLF” participated the demonstration.

The demonstrators chanted slogans, held banners/ placards protesting against the dictatorial and terrorist regime of Ethiopia and demanding the release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia. They also conducted a “post card” petition drive that asks the immediate release of “Birtukan Mideksa “.

The demonstration was organized by several civic and political Ethiopian and American organizations as a part of several protests and candle light vigil- events that have been taking place in several cities around the world marking the first anniversary of Mrs. Birtukan Mideksa imprisonment.

Protest Organizers,

Washington, DC

To enlarge, click the image.