The coordinators of the Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) in Seattle would like to express a big thank you to all Friends of ESAT for showing up last Sunday, August 5th, 2010, to our evening dinner. You showed your unwavering commitment to democracy, justice and peace in Ethiopia. The feeling of camaraderie and friendship were beyond expression. It was simply awesome. By showing up, you promised to help and support ESAT with your skills, hard earned dollars, and moral backing. This is commitment in action.
Getting behind ESAT is a step in the right direction to free all political prisoners from all groups and organizations including Burtukan Mideksa. That is why we organized the candle light vigil in honor of Burtukan and all the other fighters. These bold freedom fighters are languishing in rat infested weyane prisons. They are subjected to psychological abuse and untold suffering under subhuman conditions. We will never forget them. We will work day and night to free each and every one of them including our country.
It is dark and gloomy in Ethiopia today. Freedom and democracy are nowhere to be found. Ethiopia and Ethiopians are going through challenging times. Painful times. A depressing period. The darkest in the three thousand years history of Ethiopia. Ethiopia has lost its sea ports. Its huge fertile lands were given to Sudan for free. Its agricultural lands have been taken away from its farmers and given to foreigners. For a dirt cheap price. And for 99 years. Ethiopia’s patriotic sons and daughters like Burtukan Mideksa are either in prison, dead or living in exile.
Regardless, we will keep our hopes alive. It is the total darkness just before day break. Victory is over the horizon. Like everything, this will change too. Our pain and depression will go away. And we will be agents of this change. For there is nothing permanent except change itself.
We will have this kind of dinner once every 4-6 weeks time. It won’t be a fundraising event unless we want to contribute. It will mainly be a discussion of how to increase membership into Friends of ESAT group. Each one of us will work hard to bring 2-3 people to the group. We will also discuss issues related to ESAT and its role in bringing freedom and democracy in Ethiopia.
Last but not least, we should all complete our $10 or more subscription to ESAT on line on the Internet. There are four options to make your payment at www.ethsat.com . We can also send money order or check for six months ($60) or a year ($120) payable to ESAT at the following address:
ESAT
P. O. Box 60008
Washington, DC 20039
You can also call at 1-888-772-3728 for more information. It is important that we complete our subscription as soon as we can.
Until we meet in our next ESAT evening dinner, we once again extend our deep appreciation to all of Friends of ESAT in Seattle. And please keep in touch.
God bless you!
God bless Ethiopia!
Ethiopia will prevail!
Ethiopia shall be free!!
