OIN, May 22, 2001

Over 600 Oromos defied the drenching rain and breezing wind to stage a spectacular demonstration in front of the state capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota. There were people from all the cross section of the Oromo population in the Twin Cities, youth, women, elders, children and toddlers. The demonstration, organized by Oromia Youth Association, drew an enthusiastic crowd who kept on chanting slogans and singing patriotic songs amid the rain.

Among the slogans are:

There will be no peace in Ethiopia until the Oromo are free!
Our youth in Oromia are writing history with their blood!
Oromo youth won't stop the struggle until Oromia is freed!
TPLF, it is time to go!
Meles, your time is up!
The era of the Naftagna is over!
US stop supporting tyranny in Ethiopia!
Long Live OLF!
Long Live OLA!

Afterwards, the protesters listened to a rousing speech by representatives of the Oromia Youth Association. Qixxesso A. Cirri thanked the participants for their cooperation and urged Oromo youth to work hard to mobilize our people to defeat TPLF and liberate Oromia. Arfase Gammada read from a prepared statement detailing the massive violation of human rights perpetrated by the TPLF regime. Lelya Aba Wari walked the stairs to distribute leaflets to passerby and explained to them about the cause of the Oromo people. Other leaders of the Oromia Youth Association, Gammachu Galgalu, Caala Yusuf, Tibbeesso Koji, and Fayyiso Dube motivated and directed the crowd. Oromo elders, led by the veteran Oromo patriot Adam Jilo, blessed and thanked the organizers and reaffirmed their unwavering support for the many encouraging initiatives taken by the Oromia Youth Association. The demonstrators expressed their pleasure at witnessing the rise of a new generation of young, energetic and bright Oromos who are determined to carry the Oromo people's liberation struggle to victory.

The rally that started exactly at 11:00 PM concluded at 1:00 PM as scheduled.