Tigrean Ethiopians Celebrated Yekatit 11th.

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(Aigaforum March 20, 2006):- Tigrean Ethiopian community in the Bay Area, California celebrated Yekatit 11th. Yekatit 11th is the day the Tigrean people started the arduous and bitter struggle to undo the repressive and fascistic regime the Ethiopian people were subjected to. Yekatit 11th is the day the vanguard organization of the Tigrean people, Tigray People’s Liberation Font (TPLF) decided to start an armed struggle to remove the then Derge regime some thirty-one years ago. Yekatit 11th is celebrated each year all across the globe however this year’s celebration was unique. Unique because, Yekatit 11th was celebrated in a grand scale inside and outside the country last year and this year and the next coming 3 years was supposed to be an off year. However reading reports from across the globe including Addis Ababa this year’s celebration is no different than last year. This was more so in the Bay Area when the community celebrated the occasion on March 18, 2006 in San Jose California.

The Bay Area Tigrean Ethiopian community has been one staunch supporter of the TPLF from the get go. The community has primarily, due to the strength of the Union of Tigreans in North America Bay Area branch (UTNA-BA), been at the forefront in the struggle. This year’s celebration was sponsored by UTNA-BA and other individual supporters. Guest Speakers were Ambassador Tewolde Gebru. Ambassador Tewolde is the current Tigray Development Association (TDA) executive director and this year’s celebration was celebrated with development in mind. Ambassador Tewolde briefed the packed hall that Yekatit 11th has become people’s national holiday. He stressed that the struggle has assumed a new challenge. The Tigrean people have managed to unseat the repressive regime but have a long way to go to uproot poverty and backwardness. The goals of Yekatit 11th can only be met if and only if the people in Tigray and Ethiopia in general becomes self sufficient. To that end he pledge Tigray Development Association (TDA) would work with any one to eradicate poverty and illiteracy. He also briefed the audience on Ethio-Eritrea issue and on current other political issues.

Aite Mesert Hailessilasie another veteran TPLF Central committee member also briefed the audiences about the need to have a strong unity regardless of our political differences. He reminded the audience that they live in a country with the most advanced democratic system and must take lesson from it. Political differences should not impede any one to close ranks when it comes to development and community work. As one participant summarized it, the community was blessed to witness both speakers commitment to Tigray. They left the audience speech less. Representatives from the Harari and Somali community also shared their congratulatory messages. An Eritrean opposition group representative also read a congratulatory message on behalf of his organization.

The next day the community continuing with the development theme held a TDA meeting which was successful. After watching a video presentation on the activities of TDA and extended open discussion on general and specific issues a nine member committee was elected to organize and consolidate TDA Bay Area Chapter. There was an understanding among participants that the local chapter will sponsor the building of an elementary school or clinic in one of the remote parts in Tigray.

Musicians Miruts, Layne and Wedi Shuk accompanied by Guitarist Kebede entertained the audience till the wee hour. Wedi Shuk was possessed said one happy partier. Wedi Shuk the masterful artist of Chera was at his best. Layene and Miruts were like always super.

UTNA-BA has asked the youth to take the challenge to organize next years festivity and the youth association has gladly accepted the challenge.

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