The rally in Seattle was held at Westlake Center where residents as well as tourists that flood downtown Seattle had a chance to obseve when Ethiopians were chanting slogans that denounce any aid to the brutal regime of Meles Zenawi in Addis Ababa.

Organizers of the demonstration in Seattle later met with representatives of Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell, who assured the activists that the offices were aware of the political situation in Ethiopia, and their respective offices would make sure the rule of law and democracy are respected in the country.

Muluneh Yohannes, one of the rally organizers, said during his meeting with Sheila Babb, deputy state director representing Senator Patty Murray, and Nate Caminos, King County Outreach Director representing Senator Maria Cantwell, they discussed about calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Birtukan Mideksa and othr political prisoners, getting support for the Ethiopian bill pending Senate approval, as well as the worsening human rights conditions and the clamp down on press freedom and civil organizations in Ethiopia.

"We had very positive response from the two offices," said Muluneh, who added that the "officials were well informed about what was going on in Ethiopia, as they have also been contacted by concerned Ethiopians quite often."

The senators have been following the Ethiopian situation, and were very concerned about the imprisonment of Birtukan, and that they would their best for her release, according to the officials.

Seattle Rally Pictorial