Ethiopians protest near Bush’s ranch
Nov 26, 2005 (CRAWFORD, Texas) — Scores of Ethiopian protesters marched through this Texas hamlet Saturday, chanting “God bless America” and urging President George W. Bush to end support for the government in Addis Ababa.
Bush, who was on his nearby ranch, rebuffed their request for a meeting, and White House aides did not accept a letter urging Washington to repudiate Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, said a group spokesman, Elis Tassu.
The demonstrators, waving Ethiopian flags and signs branding Meles “a murderer” and “a war criminal,” drew equal measures of applause from supporters of the war in Iraq and protesters calling for a speedy US withdrawal.
“We are from Texas, Oklahoma and Washington, DC, and we are very, very happy that he (Bush) is from Texas. He is our brother. And now he must help us bring peace and democracy to Ethiopia,” Tassu told AFP as the group passed under Crawford’s only traffic light.
Violence in Ethiopia erupted following disputed elections in May, which the opposition claims were fraudulently won by Meles’s ruling party.
Police opened fire on crowds in Addis Ababa in June, killing at least 37 people and heralding a massive crackdown on the opposition.
Fresh violence erupted earlier this month, leaving at least 48 people dead. Human rights groups have appealed for the release of opposition party members who have been detained without charges.
Bush “is the only one with the power to stop it,” said Tassu, as the demonstrators chanted “God bless America. We need your help America.” and “No more Meles, no more tyranny, no more bloodshed.”
Near Crawford’s central intersection, backers of the war in Iraq applauded and pumped their fists in the air and hollered in support as the procession made its way through town.
A stone’s throw away, at the Crawford “Peace House” that serves as the headquarters for anti-war activists, the demonstration drew shouts of “peace, freedom” and the v-shaped hand sign for “peace.”
In Crawford — one flashing traffic light, one main gas station that also houses a diner, several Bush knick-knack stores — “they don’t see this everyday,” said one observer as he snapped souvenir photos.
(AFP/ST)