Dr. Trevor Truman who was supposed to give a key note speech, was so moved by interviews he conducted with some Oromos the night before, that he put aside his prepared speech and put three Oromos on stage who in graphic manner one by one described and revealed what they went through in Ethiopian prisons. The scars on their bodies coupled with the description of the tortures they underwent was a testimony to what the Oromos are facing in their homeland. Specially the description of the an Oromo woman who described how she and other Oromo women imprisoned with her were raped repeatedly by TPLF soldiers glaringly depicted how the Ethiopian government has started to resort to rape as a method of torture. As if testifying to the credibility and veracity of the words of the Oromos interviewed by Dr. Truman, Dr. David Johnson of the world known Center for Victims of Torture revealed that the research he has conducted revealed an alarming number of Oromos who have been tortured.

After Dr. Truman and Dr. Johnson's presentation put the symposium in a gloomy mood, Dr. Hamdessa took the podium and declared that the "Oromos are survivors and this is a testimony to the spirit of human survival" and changed the mood in the hall.

Renowned Oromo scholars from around north America took the podium one after the other and shared their thought, agonized with the audience about the fate of Oromos all through out the day. Among the speakers were Dr. Mohammed Hassen who after giving the historical account of the Oromos suffering under successive Ethiopian regimes asked the audience to realize that the Ethiopian regime is not only killing Oromos, but is doing every thing in its power to kill Oromo nationalism. Obbo Abiyuu, Dr. Bayyan and Habtamu true to their profession, all lawyers by training, tackled the complex and technical issue of whether the Oromo question and self-determination is protected under international law. Professor Bichaka in dealing with the issue of economic rights as an integral part of human rights showed the investment discrepancy that exist between Tigray and Oromia under the TPLF regime. The only Oromo woman panelist, Kuwee Kumsa showed the false dichotomy that exists between individual and group rights and concluded that without group rights, protection of individual rights is an illusion. Hassen Hussen of Minneapolis dealt with the practical issue of what should be done? Ravinder Joshi of the head of Hamline University Human Rights Education Program shared his experience of advocacy for human rights protection and advised the Oromo leadership to use the UN system to advance the Oromo cause. Finally around 5:30 PM the symposium was concluded by thoughts of Nuro Deddefo, chairman of Oromo Community who declared the formation of Oromia Human Rights Watch to supplement the work of the Oromo Support Group. He thanked various organizations and individuals who contributed to the success of the symposium. After the end of the symposium, guests and audiences were invited to attend the cultural musical show by the Minnesota Oromo Youth Association. After a long thoughtful day, it was a good treat, and refreshing to see the Oromo youth clinging to their tradition, and passing on the torch.