[dehai-news] Denver’s First Mekete Meeting- A Great Success!


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From: YPFDJ DENVER (ypfdjdenver@gmail.com)
Date: Mon Feb 08 2010 - 09:46:20 EST


*Denver’s First Mekete Meeting- A Great Success!*

On December 23rd 2009, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) imposed
sanctions on Eritrea which the Colorado Eritrean community firmly denounces.
Galvanized by the unjust actions of the UNSC, the community held the first
of two mekete meetings on January 31st at the Red Lion Hotel. The meeting
was organized within a week’s time; despite the short preparation time, the
people of Colorado turned out in great numbers. The purpose of the mekete
meeting was to discuss the effects of the sanctions and elect leaders to
organize around the issues.

At the entrance, attendees were greeted by youth equipped with laptops who
helped everyone sign the online E-SMART petition; for those who preferred
not to wait in line, they had the option to put their contact information on
an index card so that it could entered in at a later time. The program began
with an introduction from the consulate representative and the YPFDJ
chairwoman. Following introductions, a variety of position statements and
poems were performed by YPFDJ and community members.

Denver was fortunate enough to have Alazar Abraham from the California Bay
Area as their guest speaker. Alazar shared a couple of videos which
illustrated how Eritrea has been the target of betrayal since its existence
as well as one that showed historical unjust policies inflicted by America.
For the remainder of his presentation, Alazar shared Eritrea’s successes,
which the press never show; he encouraged Eritreans in the diaspora to work
together, and he said they should be professional, efficient, organized and
committed.

We then shifted to the shimagle mekte committee formation process. Alazar
discussed what shimagle mekete is, the role of the shimagle mekete plays in
their respective communities, and the organizational structure. At the end
of the evening, 20 people were elected to serve as shimagle mekete. The
shimagle mekete felt so energized and ready to work, that they conducted
their first meeting immediately after the mekete meeting.

The entire event received great feedback. The Colorado Eritrean community
has been revived and is ready to stand behind its people, its country and
its government against all enemies.

* *

*Check out pictures of the mekete meeting by clicking
here!<http://picasaweb.google.com/Ygt1986/ShimagelaMekete?feat=directlink#slideshow/5435730952445224674>
*

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