The historic Las Vegas meeeting ended. Questions and answers session took more than two hours.UDJ leaders listened comments from the public and answered all of the questions asked. It is not custom for political leaders to give more time to the public. Usually in our history political leaders would like to impose their will on the people but not listen the people.
UDJ leaders speaking each only 10 minutes spend most of their time getting feedback from the public and answering public concerns. This is a new culture that the UDJ has introduced in the Ethiopian politics.
Some of the questions asked are the following :
Question
How is Medrek formed ?What will be the role of the UDJ within this MEdrek ?
ANswer :
The UDJ is only an observer for thos Medrek. When Ethiopians come together and on one table started to discuss about their country, it is something that need to encouraged and supported the UDL eaders answered.
Question: Tell us more about the Ethio-Sudan Border.
Answer: The expert in this subject Prof, MEsfin as he did in other meetings and explained in detailed the situation and what need to be done to address this crisis.
Other Questions are:
Why do you criticise Ginbot 7 ? How come you do not call the weaynes "enemy" ? ...
Regarding Ginbot 7, they explained that they are basically arguing for the methind of struggle that the UDJ believes. The UDJ does not believe in armed struggle. Therefore our opposition to armed struggle may be seen as an indirect attack of others group" the UDJ delegates say. However, we cannot be silent when it comes to educating our people about us, and showing that the way we have adopted is the best way." they added.
If others would like to take othe path, it is their right they concluded. Regarding the enmity of the weyanes, they explained eloquently and made the public understand the level of their tought which is a very matured and civilized one.
What has been witnessed in the Las Vegas meeting is when Ethiopians get to hear more about the vision and principles of the UDJ , they got attracted quikcly and permanently.
The meeting ended very successfully with laughter and eveyone left the meeting hall filled with joy, hope an big optimism.
The UDJ delegates next journey shall be in Oakland California this coming Saturday. Kinijit North America shall bring you live updates from Oakland.
8:30 PM PACIFIC
Questions and Answers Session is still going on It has started 70 minutes ago, at 7:20 PM.
Ethiopians have been asking any quetions they would like to ask. Ato Asrat Tasse and Prof Mesfin Woldemariam responded to all question with great confidence. Attendees were seen listening very attentively.
7:15 PM CENTRAL TIME
Ato Simeneh Meshesha recalled a meeting of the Ethiopian Human Right Congress in Los Angeles .in 1986 Ethiopian Calendar. Prof Mesfin Woldemariam was a guest speaker of that meeting. In that meeting Ato Simeneh who happened to be an artist, read a poem he wrote and read at that time. The Poem was entitled " Zaree Lay Honen Yanen Senayewou". Ato Simeneh, now the current chairman of the Andinet Support Group in Las Vegas , read that article he wrote 12 years ago.
7:00 PM PACIFIC TIME
Professor Mesfin Woldemariam has talked to the public for ten minutes. His main message has been around the need for all Ethiopians to come together to save their country. "THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ETHIOPIANS IN THE DIASPORA AND ETHIOPIANS WITHIN ETHIOPIA. WE ALL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SAVE OUR COUNTRY" the professor said.
The Professor stressed that we need to move away from emotion and act in rational and matured manner. He think that we need to think hard and base our actions on the truth.
6:50 PM PACIFIC TIME
Ato Assefa Gebremariam a long time friend of Professor Mesfin Woldemariam took
the podium to introduce the professor. " I know Professor Mesfin when were both students at Teferri Mekonnen" started Ato Assefa. He then continnued telling the audience that Prof Mesfin under the reign of Atse Haile Selassi, under the Derg, and under the EPRDF has been courageously expressing his views."He is a man of courage and strong ethiopiawinet" said Ato Assefa.
6: 40 PM PACIFIC TIME
Ato Asrat Tasse addressed Ethiopians in the Las Vegas area with passion, eloquence and great confidence. In a 10 minutes speech he highlighted the visions of the UDJ.
He stresed that the UDJ is an enbodiment Kinijit, that the UDJ did not abandon the 8 conditions that are focused on establishing democratic institutions. Without the establishement of democratic institutions, Ato Asrat Tasse stressed that there cannot be any other progresses. The UDJ believes in election. However we are not interested in an elction for the sake of election explained Ato Asrat Tasse.
He said that the UDJ will struggle or the formations of these needed institution, be ready for all scenarios. As Ethiopians were supporting Kinijit, he asked that Ethiopians stand by the UDJ as well for the vision and hte goal of the struggle is the same: to build a free, prosperous, democratic Ethiopia.
6:30 PM PACIFIC TIME
The meeting has now started. Ato Asrat Tasse and Prof Mesfin Woldemariam entered the with an enthusiastic public giving them a standing ovation.
Ato Simeneh Meshesha, chairman of the Andinet Support Group in Las Vegas, has officially welcomed the UDJ leaders. He thank them for the sacrifices they paid an for coming to Las Vegas. He then introduced Ato Asrat Tasse.
6:00 PM PACIFIC TIME
It is the turn of Las VEGAAAAAAAS !!!!
UDJ delegates Professor Mesfin Woldemariam , UDJ council members and Ato Asrat Tasse UDJ secretary General are in Las Vegas, Nevada. They will shortly be addressing ethiopians about the current situation in Ethiopia and the vision of the UDJ.
las vegas is the 6th major city that the delegates toured. Prior to today they met with Ethiopians in DC, Boston, Seatle, Minnesota and Dallas. in all those cities the public came out from meetings filled with hope and being optimistic of what the UDJ is up to.
In Las Vegas we expect the same reaction from the public if not more. We shall bring you up to date development from the "CASINO CITY" .:)
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