Ethiopians, Somalis to rally in Washington against war
Ethiopia-Somalia Friendship Committee
Ethiopians and Somalis unite to end division and fighting
Rally in Washington DC, January 22, 2007
For Immediate Release
Jan 8, 2007 (Washington DC) –The Ethiopia-Somalia Friendship Committee (ESFC) announces a rally in Washington D.C. in front of
the White House and State Department on January 22, and calls on all Ethiopians and Somalis to a
Special Day of Friendship as we come together in protest of the War in Somalia. The ESFC is calling on
other groups to organize similar rallies in the cities and capitals of countries throughout the world.
The ESFC that was formed on December 28, 2006, is moving ahead to organize this rally as a show of
solidarity between peoples of both countries. The committee is comprised of a group of Ethiopians,
Somalis and Ethiopian-Somalis dedicated to promoting human rights for all and contend that peace,
justice, equality, and the rule of law will only succeed under governments where the people have a say.
The Committee wants to send a strong message that the people of Ethiopia and Somalia are ready to stand
together against dictators, puppet leaders, warlords, radicals and extremists wanting to oppress them. The
illegitimate government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has invaded Somalia. Somalis should know that
this is a war of Meles, not of the Ethiopian people, as the invasion was not supported by the Ethiopian
public.
The Ethiopians on the committee contend, “Meles is already at war with the people of Ethiopia and now
he’s waging a war against the people of Somalia.”
Somalis on the committee declare that it is time to bring to a halt the kind of killing done in the peoples’
name by the elites while the rest of us pay the price.
The Committee emphasizes that this rally is not only for Ethiopians and Somalis, but also for all peace-
loving people who wish to stand up for justice, freedom and peace for all human beings.
We call on all Somalis and Ethiopians in the Diaspora to communicate to your families, friends,
neighbors, churches, mosques, local radio and TV stations, your newspapers and websites about this rally
and the call for a different kind of Africa that can start right now!
Join us in Washington DC in front of the White House (Lafayette Park) on January 22, 2007, or organize
a rally in your own locale. Detailed information about the rally is to be announced later. The Ethiopian
and Somali communities should start by calling each other to start organizing a similar rally on the same
date. It can be done in your town hall, at your state capital or in the capital city of your country. Let us
show the world we are ready for real change!
====================================
For more information, please contact us by E-mail:
[email protected]