The largest crowd in recent years, New York City Ethiopian protest rally, estimated in few hundreds shouted in a mild Monday, Nov.18., " Shame on King Abdullah, Shame on Saudi Arabia", the cry on First Avenue in front of the Saudi Arabia Mission to UN at 809 Plaza echoed from 3pm to 5pm.
In the morning the mission was contacted by phone to send their representatives down to our rally. The office told us that the Ambassador had received a letter that was handed to him on Nov.13 and his government has taken the "appropriate action" as was demanded on two letters for King Abdullah and the Saudi Ambassador, to stop the killing, raping, beating of Ethiopians.
We know for sure that the attack against Ethiopians has not stopped. Deaths are still reported. The crowd wanted to send that warning loud and clear to the Saudi Mission and chanted, "Stop the raping. the killing ,the beating and looting of Ethiopians".
The Saudi Embassies all over the world has a Public Relation problem in addressing protests. May be they are not accustomed to it. In the last week or today alone I am not sure if they ever sent their representatives to talk to protesters. New York was not different.
"Saudi is a Terrorist", "How comes you forget the Fir
st Hijrah", "Was it not Ethiopia that received the persecuted Prophet Mohammed followers ", "Shame on Saudi Arabia, Shame, Shame, Shame".
College students of the City of New York who called the protest on Facebook most of them women were very emotional on what happened to fellow Ethiopian sisters and brothers. They took the microphone one after another to say slogans that they deeply care.
They said, "Where is human rights", "We demand justice", "Shame on Western medias" for downplaying the humanitarian crisis in the Ethiopian Community in Saudi as a "Immigration crackdown".
It was not an ordinary "Crackdown". It was deportation by rape, killing and looting targeting Ethiopian neighborhood in Saudi Arabia. Our community now is segregated in a camp similar to concentration camp.
Due to Diaspora pressure and the protest back home the Governor of Riyadh was forced to visit one of those camps to repair the damage. Damage has already been done. The protesters demanded " Send Ethiopians home to their families immediately".
Poems and letter from one of the organizers Weizero Zewdetu addressed to the Ambassador was read. Religious leader brought the story Ethiopian King Kaleb who went to war into Arabia to fight another Christian King who was persecuting Muslims. He said the King of Saudi Arabia in our time is allowing the sons and daughters of that benevolent king to be murdered and raped on his soil. Shame on King Abdullah !!!! Shame on him !!!
Fellow New Yorkers have indeed stood with fellow Ethiopians who have been in harms way for almost two weeks in Saudi Arabia like fellow Ethiopians all over the world. They promised to keep the pressure on Saudi Regime to protect all Ethiopians who are now treated as enemy in Saudi soil. Each life lost they will pay for it dearly. Allah has sent the first punishment by heavy rain and flooding few days ago in Saudi Arabia. The cry of our people was heard by God !!!
Make no mistake this is not about being legal or illegal immigrant issue like the Saudi and the Western media is playing. The issue is being Habesha/Ethiopian is a crime. We are worried for the safety of our people especially the house maids who are abused by their employers. The Arab news is full of stories of Ethiopians maids as "dangerous". The truth is that they are living in danger with no one protecting them.
The Woyane regime that shipped these women as "commodity" do not care about them.The regime is on the side of the abusers. Many countries are checking on their citizens in Saudi Arabia. Woyane Regime is the reason why our people are targeted for vicious attack for the last two weeks alone. Saudis know that Woyane is their strong ally.
The Last Friday rally organized by the Blue Party in Addis Ababa in front of the Saudi Embassy was dispersed by the Woyane security once again to prove that "solidarity with Saudi". Another rally was not even allowed to start last Sunday organized by MEDREK.
The slogan in Addis Ababa in front of the Saudi Embassy said it loud and clear "Saudi companies should leave Ethiopia". We added another slogan on to that, "Saudi Citizens to leave Ethiopia immediately". Saudi Arabia citizens should not enjoy the good weather of our country. No more harvesting a single crop.No more fresh tomatoes and vegetables every Wednesday.Say No to Saudi Arabia in Ethiopia. The Woyane regime can not guarantee any safety for them. Ethiopians are Very Angry. We want the Shameful Kingdom to get the message and Get out of Ethiopia !!!!
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New York-based activist Tedla Asfaw can be reached at tedla.asfaw@gmail.com
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