From: Araia G. Ephrem (agephrem@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue Feb 23 2010 - 02:07:50 EST
It is rather difficult to write a report or coverage for this historic day. One has to simply be there and be a part of the event to comprehend the enormity this successful day.
As a part of the world wide demonstrations held in Europe, Australia and the USA; the city of San Francisco was practically adorned by Eritrean-Americans and their friends from all walks of life. The western USA states entered their destination honking their buses and vans. More that seven thousands of Eritrean-Americans and friends drew the attention of main government and representative offices and average US citizens.
Although the actual event was staged on Feb 22, 2010; the energy had started swelling on the eve of the demonstration date with thousands of people arriving in Oakland. The host cities of Oakland and San Francisco were busy preparing to cater their brothers/sisters and guests. The host cities still remain full of life and electrified even after the event. By all accounts, this event will remain a milestone of success and memorable.
The youth made extensive preparation, and literally took the bull by the horn. It was inspiring to watch the youth take over their share of responsibility in a very passionate and harmonious way; to which their elders were proud of supporting.
Many moving speeches, poems and thoughtful articulations were made in this historic date. The messages were very simple and clear. "Eritreans can not be separated from Eritrean and their government." There was depth and mature understanding of the issue around the illegal and fabricated sanction.
The demonstrators came from different west US states and drove up to 13 long hours singing, chanting and precisely denouncing the illegal sanction resolution and calling for its reversal. They also drew attention from many media outlets from which the coverages pronounced the strength and resolve of Eritreans across the globe in defending their homeland and its self-reliant governance.
A very important observation worth underlining is that, the youths' gravity of understanding the issues around the sanction, Eritrea's needs and its people's aspirations.
More details and multi-media coverage of this historic day will follow soon.
WWD Mekete 2010
Public Relations Committee
Oakland, California
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----