Our Message and yours as well!

Support Group | August 13, 2006

Three of Ethiomedia Program coordinators review the final plan for the day (from left: Trengo, Mestawot and Abate) (Photo: Ethiomedia.com)

I'm Shakespear Feyisssa, chief coordinator of Ethiomedia Day programs in Seattle. On behalf the Ethiomedia family here in Seattle, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all supporters and friends of Ethiomedia as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Ethiomedia.com.

The Ethiopian people have been and continue to struggle for the reign of peace, democracy and justice. The repressive regime in Addis Ababa has not only muzzled the private press but also jailed almost all independent journalists, along with opposition leaders and civil rights workers.

In this tense struggle, Ethiomedia continues to serve Ethiopia and Ethiopians with an extraordinary feat of steadfastness and professionalism.

Ethiomedia has evolved - against all odds - as the most powerful and highly credible media outlet. This media which cruised through the political storm of the last few years, is pitted against the media the government in Addis uses to misinform the international community. The government spends millions of dollars to run its TV, Radio, websites, newspapers and journals. But none of them has the power and credibility of Ethiomedia.

There is no ambiguity here that tyranny's wish for Ethiomedia is death due to lack of funds. As long as the Ethiopian people continue to suffer untold hardships under the repressive regime, we need to sustain the media that has come this far as the voice of the voiceless. Ethiomedia deserves our support; it is part of our struggle to end tyranny in Ethiopia.

Dear Abraha,

I have the honor and genuine pleasure to congratulate you and your colleagues on the occassion of the 13th Anniversary of Ethiomedia.com for the sterlig job that you are doing in the noble defense of cherished values of freedom, liberty and patriotism for which our gallant forebears paid priceless sacrifices. The Ethiomedia.com website has for many Ethiopians become a trusted forum for exchanging serious views on critical issues and to express their deep concern about the heinous crimes unleashed by the Meles Zenawi and his henchmen at the head of a subservient regime endangering the very existence of our beloved and ancient motherland, Ethiopia.

You are a true patriotic son of Ethiopia hailing from Tigrai where our forebears bravely faced repeated foreign aggressions, shed their blood and gave their lives to bequeath freedom to their children and ensure the territorial integrity of Ethiopia. In that sense Tigrai is a repository of our cherished values not to mention that it is the cradle of Ethiopian civilization. You are the very antithesis of Meles who seeks to destroy our fundamental values. God bless you.

Respectfully,

Long Live Ethiopia
Robele Ababya

Leslie Ray (First from left) and friends in Seattle show their solidarity when Ethiopians protest for respect of human rights in Ethiopia.

My congratulations to all Ethiopians and Friends of Ethiopia in Seattle and the surrounding area on the marvellously organized celebration of “Ethiomedia Day” on the 13th of August 2006. Even though I am physically far away from the place where you – my compatriots – work and live, my heart and all my thoughts are with you as always. It would indeed be dishonest of me, though, if I were not to disclose my deep feeling of jealousy when I see how cooperatively the Ethiomedia Day Celebration has been organized, with unity, closeness and the involvement of a large number of Ethiopians.

As a periodic contributor to the professional work of Ethiomedia, I wish from deep in my heart that the 13th of August – the Celebration Day of Ethiomedia – will still further strengthen the professional work of Ethiomedia, which is an indispensable force and voice for all Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia. It is also my warm wish that the Celebration Day will be a stimulus to a rethinking among all Ethiopians regarding the urgent needs for peace and unity among all of us both at home and abroad.

Finally, it is indeed my sincere hope that the deep feeling of closeness and of belonging to one another shown by our Ethiopian compatriots in Seattle will serve as an example to all Ethiopians throughout the international community.

Maru Gubena
Leiden 10 August 2006

Dear Editor and Staff,

I want to congradulate you for celebrating the Ethiomedia day for your unreserved effort to feed all ethiopians and others who have an interest in the country with genuine information and facts that strenghten the struggle for freedom and democracy. I attended the interview with Addis Dimits and I am proud of you since you provided all the information that enable those who have wrong understanding about woyane and the people of Tigray. Please keep on your effort as it is an input to the struggle undertaken in Ethiopia.

Congratulations once again!!!!!
Your reader from Japan

Hello Editor,

The day is getting closer and hope you all have lots of fun.

This is concerning the group picture of Ethiomedia coordinators published today Friday August 11, 2006. Is it ethiomedia or Seattle that make people's smile look so nice and from the heart?

May be I should move to Seattle and stay close to ethiomedia. There seems to be good solidarity.

Take care!
HH

Dear Editor:

I read the article on the upcoming Ethiomedia Day celebration on August 13, 2006. Although I will not be able to attend this meaningful and well-deserved celebration in Seattle, I would like to send, in advance, my deep appreciation to you and to the entire Ethiomedia staff. You have built a solid reputation by upholding truth, justice, equality, unity, and journalistic ethics as Ethiomedia’s principles. Please continue your superb job of serving as the voice for the voiceless.

KetalaQ akbrot gar,
Tewodros Abebe

The following messages are in Amharic: