Yekatit 11 observed with Great Spirit and memory

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Mar 07,2006

The Tigray community in Washington Metro Area and its environs held a very festive celebration commemorating the 31st Anniversary of the birth of the TPLF, Yekatit 11, at the grand hall of the Hilton Hotel at Crystal City, Arlington, VA, on Feb 25, 2006. The event was attended by around one thousand people who came from neighboring states as well as the greater Washington Metro area. Eritreans as well as many Americans were also present. This event was organized by The Union of Tigrians in North America (UTNA).

His Excellencies Amb. Kassahun Ayele, Amb.Tewolde Gebru, Amb. Fesseha Asgedom and Aite Meseret G/Mariam (tplf ccm) and journalists from Hager Fikir, Aend Ethiopia and Voice of Democratic Eritrea were also among the guests at the event.

One of the major activities scheduled for the night was, of course, the fiesta grande of our holiday day, accompanied by guaila, a Tigrayan cultural dance and music. A band of famous Musicians entertained the crowd until late night. The classical music they played, old versions of the late 70's and early 80's editions of songs of the tplf took many in to memory lane. Songs like Tegadalay kitekus kello, Ne'amo ne'amo betiyit der'eimo, Bahrina eti hafash hezbina, tsere chikona merrir qalsi, masse masse... etc touched every body's heart.

Around 9pm the hall was fully packed and Aite Hadush G/Hiwot, one of the veteran founders of UTNA, took the platform and introduced the activities of the evening enclosed in the program.

Aite Mulu Assefa, chair person of UTNA, delivered a short introductory speech on behalf of UTNA. In his speech he expressed that Yekatit 11 had been and would be remembered in the inner hearts of the people of Tigray for ever. Yekatit 11, he said, was observed as a day of national liberation of the people of Tigray. He reiterated that UTNA would not forget the dear prices paid by the people of Tigray to bring about democracy, justice, peace, development and national unity based on equality in Ethiopia.

Focusing on the recent political developments in Ethiopia and abroad, he condemned the extreme chauvinists of CUD (kinijit) and their followers for their negative moves to abort the process of democracy in Ethiopia. He stressed that UTNA strongly believed that the extreme rightists of CUD were hate mongers and instigators of street violence. The chairman also condemned those who were serving as tools and instruments for the chauvinists. Wrapping up his speech, the chairman finally called upon all Tigrayans in North America to strengthen their unity.

The next speaker was Ambassador Tewolde Gebru. As he left his seat towards the podium the participants welcomed him with warm greetings. He said he felt honored to be present amidst such a huge presence of Tigreans and supporters of the people of Tigray celebrating the 31st anniversary day of the birth of the TPLF. In his speech, the Ambassador addressed the importance of Yekatit 11 and its place in the annals of history of the people of Tigray. He said Yekatit 11 was not only a manifestation of insubordination and resistance against national oppression and exploitation, but so also was a symbol and an expression of liberation from national oppression and exploitation and of hope for a bright future. This very day, Yekatit 11, he stressed, was a national holiday for the people of Tigray. When we celebrate this day, he said that we remember tens of thousands of our fallen comrades in arms who sacrificed their dear lives for the noble cause of freedom and national liberation, justice and democracy, peace and development. This day is also the day when we solemnly renew our determination to accomplish what was left for us by our fallen comrades in arms.

Ambassador Tewolde, in his brief speech, also touched issues regarding the national election of Ethiopia. He said, even though, the extreme rightists of CUD (kinijit) tried to thwart and abort the democratic process of the election, the democratization process will continue. The EPRDF had won the election.

He assured that the EPRDF was still, as it always has been, determined to work hard to make situations conducive for democracy, justice, peace and socioeconomic development. He said that the EPRDF will take lessons from the past national election of Ethiopia and would do every thing possible to address its shortcomings. In this connection, he emphasized that it was high time that the young generation should take up leadership and responsibility.

On the question of Ethio-Eritrean border issue, he reaffirmed that Ethiopia would only opt for peaceful resolution. He said Ethiopia made it clear that the issue at hand must be concluded once for all and through. Ethiopia would not go to war unless provoked by Shabea. If provoked, he said, Ethiopia will defend herself. In conclusion, he said that the arch enemy of the people of Tigray was poverty. The people of Tigray had long been waging war against poverty. To uproot poverty from our country he said it would take unity, determination, and concerted action. Hence, he called upon all Tigrayans and brotherly Ethiopians in North America to come together and strengthen their unity.

The Regional State of Tigray and TDA would do every thing possible to facilitate and help materialize in this connection. He said that TDA's mission was to work in development areas where the Regional State of Tigray could not cover. He admitted that due to different internal and external factors TDA's activities had been weakened for some few years in and outside Tigray. He said one of the reasons why he came to the USA was to meet the communities of Tigray in the USA and discuss about how we could revive TDA to its previous strength.

The third speaker was Aite Meseret Gebremariam. He said Yekatit 11 was a realization of a long and protracted struggle and victory of the people of Tigray. He said the secret behind the victory of the people of Tigray was a solid leadership and the strong unity and determination of the people of Tigray. United we defeated the brutal and dictatorial regime of the fascist Dergue and united we will defeat poverty.

A solidarity message was delivered by Mr. Woldu Gebrai from the Eritrean Alliance. The message, among other things, covered Yekatit 11 as a symbol of freedom and liberation and expressed his wish that the people of Eritrea would one day have the same opportunity and same freedom that the Ethiopian people are enjoying.

He stressed the Ethio-Eritrean border crisis should be resolved peacefully and the Eritrean Alliance condemned the attempt to derail the process of democratization by anti democratic forces in Ethiopia.

Dr Solomon Abraham from North Carolina, a board member of TDA-NA, took few minutes to explain about TDA International and its role in development activities. He emphasized that without the participation of all of Tegaru, TDA could not live up to its expectation in realizing its mission of development efforts. Therefore, since we Tegaru had no time to relax, we should act now.

Mr. Haile Tsadik shares his philanthropic experiences in Tigray and Addis Ababa. To save a poor child he reiterated it would only take $10-15 an individual per month and nothing more. Mr. Haile Tsadik finally pleaded that every responsible Ethiopian extends his/her helping hands to save these young souls. Currently, the family of Mr. Haile is helping over forty orphans.

Representative of the Youth Association of Tigray in Washington Metro Area, Mr. Yonas, came to the podium and expressed his appreciations to UTNA for the event made possible. He said that UTNA, for the last three decades, had played an important role to connect the Tigrean communities in North America with their mother land Ethiopia. The Youth Association of Tigray in Washington Metro Area, decided to give an award of recognition to UTNA. Receiving the award, Mr. Mulu Assefa, Chair person of UTNA, thanked the Youth Association.

Finally, among other activities, tom bola lottery tickets were sold. Each ticket cost $5. Prizes include a car, 14 plots of land in 12 towns of Tigray worth hundred of thousands of Ethiopian Birr.

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