By Abraha Belai,
Defying a government order not to go ahead with a protest rally, Gonder not only held a massive protest rally but also rekindled the spirit of Ethiopian Unity by condemning government killings in Oromia.
A bedrock of Ethiopian patriotism, Gonder’s solidarity with Oromia is a slap in the face of TPLF, because TPLF, the architect of ethnic federalism [aka ethnic hate], had thought its politics had brought Ethiopia to its knees, and the people would never rise up to challenge it.
TPLF, a group of thugs whose job prior to the 1991 was [forming an independent state of Tigray], had preached ethnic hate and division for 25 years but its gambling backfired on Sunday in Gonder and could be the harbinger of TPLF’s demise.
Knowing that the Ethiopian flag has been a symbol of unifying force, TPLF had tarnished the sacred symbol by placing a huge, ugly [blue pentagram] at the center of the flag. Ethiopians didn’t accept TPLF’s flag, but have been banned by the government never to resort to the original Ethiopia tri-color of Green, Yellow and Red. On Sunday, patriotic Gonder kicked TPLF in the rear and held the genuine Ethiopian flag high in the air throughout the day.
The protesters also chanted that the imprisoned Welkait-Tegede committee men should be released without any preconditions, or else face the consequences.
Marchers also denounced ongoing killings in Oromia, and vowed their struggle wouldn’t stop short of securing what it takes for the reign of democracy, freedom and justice in Ethiopia.
Hundreds of Thousands Hold Protest Rally in Gondar
By ESAT News,
Hundreds of thousands of people held a peaceful demonstration in Gondar and other towns denouncing the regime and saying enough to tyranny.
Residents of Gondar and its environs headed to the central square of this historic city in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, despite the presence of thousands of regime forces who, in some villages, tried to prevent people from joining the demonstrations. They were, however, overcome by the unwavering but peaceful protesters who were determined that they were not backing up.
They chanted slogans denouncing dictatorship and an end to the regime. They also called for the release of political prisoners, including members of a committee that heads the campaign by the people of Wolkait, Tegede and Telemt in north Gondar, who were forcefully annexed to Tigray region.
The demonstrators have also vowed to restore their identity and territory that’s being tarnished by the tyrannical regime.
The demonstrators, in a show of solidarity, called for an end to the killings perpetrated by the regime in the Oromo region in the last eight months; and for the release of the tens of thousands incarcerated by the regime.
The demonstrators also expressed solidarity with Ethiopian Muslims who have been the target of persecution by the regime that falsely accuse them of terrorism. They also called for the release of leaders of the Muslim community who have been detained by the regime for peacefully demanding their religious rights.
They denounced the regime for agreeing to give away a vast Ethiopian territory to the Sudan and vowed to protect their land which they said was legitimately theirs.
Reports also show similar protest in towns such as Maksegnit, Eske and other localities in Gondar.