Minnesota rallies around Kinijit

Press Release

April 1, 2006

Kinijit campaigner Abate Kassa (Left – center) with fellow Ethiopian residents in Minnesota.

Kinijit Support Committee in Minnesota held a public meeting on March 25, 2006. Ato Abate Kasa was the featured guest speaker of the day. He reviewed the May 2006 electoral victory of Kinijit against the unfavorable electoral rules of the ruling regime. The regime, however, refused to concede defeat and accept the electoral victory of Kinijit, which was verified by the European election observers. TPLF/EPDRF not only denied its defeat but also sent the leadership of Kinijit and its supporters to jail. Ato Abate reminded the audiences that there is nothing nobler than supporting a struggle for democracy, and respect for human right everywhere in the world. He stressed that the Ethiopian Diaspora has a responsibility to support the democratic struggle of their fellow Ethiopians at home. Finally, the day long meeting ended with a commitment from the audience to support the peaceful struggle of Kinigit, demanding the release of the political prisoners, members of the free press and TPLF/EPDRF to accept the electoral victory of Kinigit.