San Jose Flag-rasing and Proclamation of Eritrean Independence Day
May 21, 2015
https://www.facebook.com/elias.amare/posts/10206328166421283
SAN JOSE – On Thursday May 21 in the hours of the evening, the Eritrean flag was raised in front of the City Hall of San Jose, California (USA) to the singing of the national anthem of Eritrea by over 100 gathered Eritreans and their friends.
The Mayor of the city of San Jose, the Honorable Sam Liccardo, issued a proclamation the same day that was read during the flag-raising ceremony, declaring May 24 as “Eritrean Independence Day”.
Representing the City Council, the Honorable Councilmember Raul Peralez read a brief statement of solidarity with the Eritrean American community, recognizing the heroic struggle of Eritreans for independence, and commending the pride of Eritreans in San Jose in celebrating their rich cultural heritage.
A young Eritrean girl, Dina Berhan, 10, also read a poem that she wrote for the occasion in perfect Tigrinya titled “Bandierana” (Our Flag).
As a guest speaker, journalist Elias Amare (yours truly) from Asmara Eritrea commended the mayor of San Jose and the Councilman Perlaez for recognizing this most precious day for Eritreans. When our gallant freedom fighters entered the capital Asmara triumphantly, ending decades-long tyranny and colonial ocupation, and ushering a new era of peace, freedom, justice and democracy was ushered in" he said, extending invitation to the Mayor to visit Asmara to celebrate next year’s 25th anniversary of independence with Eritreans in their capital.
The master of ceremonies, Mr Fitsum Kiflezghi, brother of the marathon champion Meb Kiflezghi, thanked all the Eritreans for their continuing support of the flag-raising ceremony, which is being held for the second year, and hoped for a strengthened and engaged relations between the Eritrean American community in San Jose and the City Hall.
The evening culminated with the gathered Eritreans dancing traditional Eritreans guaila in the courtyard of the City Hall. Eritreans in the San Jose, numbering 3,000 will be officially celebrating Independence Day on Sunday May 24.
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TEXT OF PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS: Eritrea is one of the newest countries in the Horn of Africa, bordered by the Red Sea, Djibouti, Sudan and Ethiopia; and became independent on May 24, 1991; and
WHEREAS: Eritrea declared its Independence 24 years ago; the Eritrean community in San Jose hopes to increase public awareness of those fallen to liberate the country; and
WHEREAS: Eritrean communities worldwide observe May 24th every year as an opportunity to lean about Eritrean culture and their community through shared poetry, dance, art and good citizenship that include sections of the society, including youth, women and children;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sam Liccardo, Mayor of San José, together with Councilmember Raul Peralez and our colleagues on the City Council, on this 21st day of May, do hereby proclaim May 24th as “ERITREAN INDEPENDENCE DAY”
And commend the local Eritrean community for their shared immigrant experience of tolerance and inclusion.
Signed:
- The Honorable Sam Liccardo, MAYOR
- Raul Peralez, Councilmember
- Toni Taber, City Clerkj
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For photos of the event visit:
https://www.facebook.com/elias.amare/posts/10206328166421283
Received on Sat May 23 2015 - 21:46:22 EDT