Ethiopian Flag Flies Over Silicon Valley

In observance of Ethiopian New Year, on Sep 8th a US and Ethiopian Flag Raising Ceremony was held at the San Jose City Hall. The ceremony was truly a moment of pride and joy to see the flag of Ethiopia flying over in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Mayor Chuck Reed, Councilmember Sam Liccardo and several members of the City Council joined by Ethiopian Americans and friends of Ethiopia officiallydeclared the weeklong Ethiopian New Year celebration.This flag raising ceremony coincides with the festivities surrounding Ethiopian New Year and is in recognition of the many achievements, contributions, and successes of Americans of Ethiopia decent of this great valley. The community was extremely grateful to see Congressman Honda staffs attending the ceremony as well

San Jose Ethiopia Flag Rasing Deutsche Welle Coverage Sep 9th 2009

Ethiopian Flag Rasing Pictures by Teferi

Giuliani’s Firm Lobbied for Bill Considered Threat

By ERIC LIPTON and RUSS BUETTNER (NY Times)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 — Although Rudolph W. Giuliani is campaigning as President Bush’s staunch ally in the war on terror, his law office has lobbied Congress on behalf of legislation that the Bush administration calls a threat to antiterrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa.

Mr. Giuliani was not personally involved in the lobbying last year on behalf of the company’s client, the American wing of a dissident Ethiopian political party known as the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, leaders of the group said.

But the firm, Bracewell & Giuliani, used Mr. Giuliani’s name in its pitch to win the assignment, and his clout was a reason it landed the job, said Seyoum Solomon, an Ethiopian-American from Maryland who helped negotiate the deal.

“He is a popular Republican, a good friend of the president and he might have some influence on the State Department,” Mr. Solomon said to explain the hiring decision.

The legislation sought by the dissidents proposes restrictions in American aid if Ethiopia does not agree to share power with opposition parties and take other steps promoting democracy. As part of its work, the Giuliani group set up a meeting at the White House last year at which the administration was urged to consider the viewpoint of a consortium of Ethiopian political parties that included Mr. Solomon’s group, as well as a more militant rebel organization.

The Ethiopian effort demonstrates the complications Mr. Giuliani confronts as he simultaneously runs for president and remains a name partner in a law firm that lobbies in Washington. He is the only Republican candidate who remains engaged in business pursuits.

The Bush administration supports the government in Ethiopia as a bulwark against terrorism and has characterized the legislation as a liability in that effort. <<Continue>>

November 27, 2007 — The real prospect of HR 2003 (Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007) becoming a US law is making the Ethiopian ruling party very nervous. Consistent with the nature of an oligarchic regime, it perceives democracy as a threat to its very existence. Thus, its multiple approaches, at home and abroad, to try to quash HR 2003 in the US Senate should come as no surprise to anyone.

In Ethiopia, Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is attempting to appeal to the nationalistic sentiment ofthe society by portraying the bill as the United States Congress’s attempt to “neo-colonize” Ethiopia. Such a desperate and reckless allegation by a high-level party official might have potentially ignited an anti-American sentiment throughout the country. However, thanks to the ruling party’s immense unpopularity, the Minister’s political demagoguery will have little or no impact. Such twisted allegations by a high-ranking official of the ruling party show the extent of their willingness to alienate Ethiopian society against the U.S. government to preserve the ruling party’s own power.<<Continue>>

Ethiopian Americans Look Forward to
Senate Action On HR 2003

Under the leadership of Congressmen Donald Payne and Chris Smith, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed HR 2003 (Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007). In doing so, they demonstrated their unequivocal support for democracy and human rights in Ethiopia.
We, the Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC), also have no doubt that the US Senate will quickly pass the bill.

HR 2003 is mutually beneficial for both Ethiopia and the United States’ interest in the Horn of Africa. The bill is critical toward building a long-term capacity in fighting terrorism. By pushing for human rights, democracy and stability in Ethiopia, the bill will benefit not only its 70 million citizens, but also work to influence positive outcome in neighboring countries.<<Continue>>

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at the National Press Club's Washington, Oct 23 - 2007 I believe that neither we nor the international community has pushed the Meles government hard enough on human rights issues because we have been satisfied it cooperates with us to some extent in the war on terror. The war on terror is very important, but no regime that terrorizes its own citizens can be a reliable ally in the war on terror. Terrorism isn’t just a military issue. It is also a human rights issue. Terrorists come from countries where their governments fail to respect their human rights. In promoting human rights in Ethiopia, we are attacking terrorism at its roots.<<Continue>>

Thank You, Congress for Passing HR 2003

Getting congressional staffers to listen to his story about Ethiopia wasn’t easy at first, but Mekonen was persistent. And that persistence eventually led to the introduction of a bill aimed at creating peace in the region and bringing the perpetrators of human rights violations to justice.

The process started when Mekonen began communicating with the staff of Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), chairman of the Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee. Smith was planning a trip to West Africa, and Mekonen jumped at the opportunity to suggest that the congressman make his way to the other side of the continent.

I told him that it would be a great service to the Ethiopian people if he would take a trip to Ethiopia and get that firsthand experience, Mekonen says. <<Continue>>

An Ethiopian Commission of Inquiry report last month found that 193 people were killed in post-election violence in 2005. Some members of the commission who have defected said security forces used excessive force and even committed massacre.  But the final report submitted to the Ethiopian parliament said security forces did not use excessive force.  Democratic Congressman Donald Payne is a member of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations. He talks with VOA English to Africa reporter James Butty about a briefing he and other members of congress are sponsoring today (Thursday) on human rights in Ethiopia <<Continue>>

Netsanet Le Ethiopia Radio on EAC Nov 12 2006

Human rights measure resisted in U.S.

By Gus Constantine
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 9, 2006

An effort to call Ethiopia to account on its human rights record was side lined in Congress be fore it adjourned for the midterm elections, with some supporters of the bill blaming Dick Armey, a former House majority leader turned lobbyist. <<Continue>>

Voice of America Coverage on 2006 Election Nov 8th 2006

Sanctions on Ethiopia Stalled in Congress

New America Media, News Analysis, Donal Brown, Nov 07, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO – Politicans in Washington are balking on legislation to promote political justice in Ethiopia out of concerns over terrorists finding haven in the horn of Africa.

Sanctions on Ethiopia's government over harsh treatment of political opposition are being sacrified in hopes that Ethiopia will carry the torch in stemming the rise of terrorists in its neighboring country of Somalia <<Continue>>

Ethio-Americans on US Election Deutsche Welle Coverage Nov 6th 2006

Ethio-Americans on US Election, Netsanet Le Ethiopia Radio Nov 5th 2006

Dennis Cardoza for Congress (CA - 18)

Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s passionate commitment 
to human rights in Ethiopia is commendable and we 
are very delighted endorsing Rep Cardoza.

Amy Klobuchar for US Senate (MN)

Keith Ellison for Congress (MN - 5)

Keith Ellison would be the first African American 
from Minnesota and Muslim ever elected to the U.S. 
Congressman. It would also mark the first time in the 
US history that the greater participation of Ethiopian 
American voters.  EAC pleased endorsing Mr. Ellison. 

Rep. Mike Honda (CA)

Congressman Mike Honda of California, Vice-Chair of the 
Democratic National Committee thanked memebrs of Ethiopian 
Americans Council-Minnesota (EAC)

California CA-11

Ethiopian Americans on US Election Deutsche Welle Coverage

Ethiopian Americans Council Making a Mark in US Politics

Tell Congress to Say Yes on HR5680

The Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC) is currently focusing on major states like California, Minnesota, Texas, Washington-Seattle, Washington-DC, Virginia and Maryland in mobilizing the eligible Ethiopian American voters to make their voices heard in the November election. EAC encourages registered voters to tell Congressional Candidates that the passage of HR5680 is the single most important agenda for the Ethiopian American community.Continue>>

Kinijit -Petition on HR5680

Ethiopian-American Group Tries to Raise Profile on Capitol Hill

By Jim Snyderl

In the spare moments before the lunch rush and then later before the dinner crowd arrives, Mesfin Mekonen, manager of the Reliable Source restaurant, works a second, unpaid job: lobbyist.

Mekonen, who moved to the United States from Ethiopia in 1972 at age 20, is the Washington representative for the Ethiopian-American Council, which is trying to add the Ethiopian diaspora to the list of prominent ethnic lobbying groups.Continue>>

"Protecting the Democratic rights of the Ethiopian People:Reflection and Next Steps"

"A Forum for the Future"

The Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC)

Town Hall Meeting In Los Angeles (July 2nd 2006)

Hon. Gomes's Speech Part-I Audio

Hon. Gomes's Speech Part-II Audio

Honorable Ana Gomes

Head of the 2005 European Union's Observer Mission to Ethiopia and member of the European Parliament,

Gregory's Speech Audio

Mr. Gregory Simpkins

A Professional Staff Member for the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operation and adviser to the Chairman on Africa policy.

Menna's Speech Audio

Ms Menna Demessie
Doctoral Students Poltical Science Department and Gerald R. Grod School of Public Policy University of Michigan.

Prof. Al Mariam 's Speech Audio

Professor Alemayehu (Al) Mariam

Professor in the Department of Political science at California State University, San Bernardino and a defense attorney.

   "Engaging Ethiopian Americans in U.S politics: Awakening a Sleeping Giant"

Dr. Milkias Paulos
A former Canada Council Doctoral Fellow is a professor of Humanities and Political Science at Marianopolis College/Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

"The Role of Civil Society in Promoting Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia."

A Forum for the Future

"ኢትዮዽያ ሕዝብ የዲሞክራሲ መብት መጠበቅ፤ ትላትና እና ቀጣዩ እርምጃ”

"Protecting the Democratic rights of the Ethiopian People:Reflection and Next Steps"

Sunday July 2nd 2006

09:00AM

Hilton Los Angeles Airport
5711 West Century Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Press Release June 17, 2006

A Forum for the Future


The Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC) presents:

"Protecting the Democratic rights of the Ethiopian People: Reflection and Next Steps"

On July 2nd, 2006, the Ethiopian American Council (EAC) will hold a forum on " Protecting the Democratic rights of the Ethiopian People: Reflection and Next Steps" at Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 West Century Boulevard Los Angeles California.

Distinguished guests will include, the Honorable Ana Gomes, Head of the 2005 European Union's Observer Mission to Ethiopia and member of the European Parliament, and Mr. Gregory Simpkins, a Professional Staff Member for the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operation and adviser to the Chairman on Africa policy.

Other speakers include, distinguished Ethiopian legal scholars, political scientists and human rights advocates.

In order to make participation convenient for thousands of Ethiopians, the forum will take place in Los Angeles during the 23rd Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America (ESFNA). The forum will be used as a springboard to launch a nation-wide campaign and to organize Ethiopians and Ethiopian Americans with a view to making them a viable and influential community in the United States.

By almost all measures, the forum is a must attend. Mark your calendar to attend this rare event, which will be a turning point for the community at large.

Journalists must register via ethioamericans@walla.com to cover the event.