Debebe Eshetu- A
National Treasure - Inspires Seattle!
On January 12, 2008, in
the cloudy Seattle afternoon, at Garfield Community Center,
something incredible took place - the city and its
inhabitants were inspired and motivated to intensify their
struggle for justice, unity, and democracy. It is not
every day that one gets a chance to hear, discuss and ask
questions of an Ethiopian icon like Debebe Eshetu. Seattle
was fortunate to also hear from and discuss with Ato
Aschalew Ketema, member of Kinijit Executive Council.
The residents of Seattle
flocked, in large numbers, to the Garfield Community Center
braving the cold and rainy weather and ignoring their city’s
football team- Seahawks playoff bid. to listen to
Artist Debebe and Ato Aschalew. The event coordinators, the
recently formed and democratically elected Seattle Northwest
Kinijit Chapter (SNKC), only had three days to publicize
this grand event. It was objectively determined that the
meeting hall was over 80% full and the crowd was
enthusiastic, vibrant, and actively participated in the
discussion and Q&A session.
Artist Debebe gave a
moving and inspirational speech by telling the gathering, we
Ethiopians do not get ahead and build a country we desire
without honesty, truth, and insulting one another.
Debebe emphasized the need for honesty in everything we do,
the need to be upfront, the need for forgiveness, and the
need for unity and justice. Debebe told the Seattle Kinijit
Supporters one does not need an education, a degree, or has
to have any qualification to engage in insults, making
outlandish remarks, or defame a person. The only thing
one need to be a slanderer is being rude and inconsiderate.
Artist Debebe demonstrated his skills of reading and
understanding the feelings and moods of the crowd.
Sometimes it is not the message, but it is the messenger
that counts- Debebe delivered his message of hope, his
message of unity, his message of justice and fairness, and
his message of democracy in Ethiopia only in a way a
seasoned and charismatic orator can deliver.
Ato Aschalew Ketema also
stated facts, information, and gave hard evidence that the
estranged Kinijit Chairman Ato Hailu Shawel secretly called
and participated in a meeting to reinstate his former party,
AEUP. Ato Aschalew did not just tell Seattle Kinijit
supporters this fact, he did not just make a speech about
this major diversion by Ato Hailu, he showed the crowd the
irrefutable evidence, including but not limited to, meeting
attendees names, meeting minutes, and written and signed
resolutions and decisions by former AEUP members. Ato
Aschalew’s presentation was full of facts, evidence and
supported by his impeccable explanation that left many of
the supporters amazed, and at the same time saddened by the
sabotage to destroy Kinijit by Engineer Hailu and Co.
Then, something
extraordinary took place in the same meeting hall. Something
for history books and for storytelling, something that is
moving, inspirational, and memorable. It is the Gasha
for Ethiopia’s representative, Ato Sultan Alene, speech and
call for unity. Sultan’s speech was short and to the
point, but very well thought, reasoned, and articulated. The
speech affirms the alliance and camaraderie of Gasha and its
members in the struggle for democracy, peace, and unity.
The crowd was touched and elated by this honest and
heartfelt appeal and he received a standing ovation for
several minutes from the crowd. Gasha for Ethiopia is
a recently formed civic organization which has many members
from the Tigray region. Among the members of Gasha, Abraha
Belai, Executive Editor of Ethiomedia.com was also
present and gave a very brief, powerful, and frank talk
about the need for unity, determination, and coordination in
order to move the struggle forward. Additionally,
Abraha briefed the audience on Gasha’s formation, its
objectives and major activities.
That is when Artist Debebe
led the crowd into not only recognizing and thanking the
Gasha members, but stood up and made a promise to work with
the likes of Gasha and others to fight the Meles regime’s
creations of intentional negative perceptions and
misunderstandings between Kinijit and Tigrians. Artist
Debebe said this is probably one of the greatest moments of
his political life, the same can be said for many in the
crowd. It was truly a defining moment in Diaspora Kinijit
movement. The presence of the Gasha represenative at the
event, the wonderful speech and the call by Gasha definitely
created a bridge between Kinijit and Tigreans, despite the
constant pressure, negative publicity, and toxic propaganda
the Meles regime spews incessantly to widen the rift between
Tigrayans and the different ethnic groups in Ethiopia.
The Seattle event was very
successful despite the fact that the organizers only had two
or three days, the playoff game, and the unusually rainy and
cold weather to contend with. Artist Debebe and Ato
Aschalew will be cherished forever in the minds of Seattle
residents for the moving and inspirational messages along
with the Gasha members. In sum, this event brought to
Seattle and beyond hope, and optimism about the future of
our country, and that of Kinijit. Upon the conclusion
of the meeting that took over three hours of substantive
discussions, then the guests and many Kinijit supporters
joined Artist Debebe and Ato Aschalew for dinner and further
discussion. The memorable event that will be embedded in the
minds of those who were present for years to come.
The Seattle Kinijit
Northwest Chapter thanks the guests and everybody who have
repeatedly shown they can gather a large crowd in such short
notice! Seattle is fortunate to host, discuss, hear and
learn from an Ethiopian icon Artist Debeb Eshetu and Ato
Aschalew Ketema. January 12, 2008, is a great day for
Seattle and for the unity of Ethiopia, and it has set the
tone of how Ethiopians, in the future, will collectively
fight against injustice, dictatorship, and poverty in our
homeland
Note: This
report was delayed due to the unfortunate tragedy the
Kinijit family in Seattle suffered when four of our members
and brothers were involved in a horrific car accident on
Sunday. We wish them all a speedy recovery and we ask that
all Kinijit supporters and Ethiopians keep them in their
thoughts and prayers.