WASHINGTON DC – Kinijit DC Metro Ethiopian community turned up en mass to celebrate the freedom of
Kinijit leaders. Even though the meeting was called at short notice Washington Plaza Hotel
was filled to capacity. The mood was jubilant and was crowned with even more excitement
as many of the freed leaders addressed the gathering via phone from Addis Ababa.
Muluneh Iyoel, Secretary General of Kinijit, gave an inspiring and forward looking speech.
Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw, Dr. Hailu Araya, Dr. Yacob Woldemariam Ato Abyneh
Berhanu, and Ato Debebe Eshetu expressed gratitude and admiration to all Ethiopians in
the Diaspora for their relentless struggle. They reminded the crowed the struggle for
freedom and democracy is still an unfinished business and our perseverance is needed more
than ever before fortified with experience and wisdom. Other Kinijit leaders were not
readily available due to telephone connection problems.
The message of these national heroes was repeatedly interrupted by “Elilta” and spirited
applause in an expression of support and admiration. Despite the time difference, the
heroes stayed up late to address their loving countrymen.
The meeting was organized by Kinijit DC Metro Support Chapter and was addressed by
Ato Yilma Adamu, Chairman of Kinijit DC Metro Support Chapter; Dr. Moges
Gebremariam, Ato Berhane Mewa and Dr. Gebriye Rufael of Kinijit International
leadership and Dr. Abraham Bekele representing Kinijit North America Association of
Support Organizations. Leaders of the newly established Kinijit Youth League, Yenebeb
Tesfaye and Tesfaye Mamo also addressed the gathering.
The meeting ended with heightened spirit and with renewed commitment to stay the
course until Ethiopia becomes a country where democracy prevails, where human rights is
respected and its people live in unison and harmony. The community pledged to raise
emergency fund to help Kinijit reopen its offices and to spread the Kinijit alternative way
which was enthusiastically endorsed by the majority of Ethiopians during the 2005
election.
Ato Alemayehu Abebe, Kinijit DC metro Board V/Chairman moderated the meeting
assisted by Ato Sisay Hey and other DC board members.
