Second Week Peaceful Demonstration in Front of Senator Inhofe's Office in Oklahoma City

Ethiopian-Americans and Friends of Ethiopia in Oklahoma for H.R.2003

Second Week Peaceful Demonstration in Front of Senator Inhofe's Office in Oklahoma City on Tuesdy November 20, 2007

Senator Inhofe will be going to Ethiopia in a couple of weeks, the peaceful demonstrators will request Sentor Inhofe visit the families of the massacred people in June and November 2005. The protestors will also request that Senator Inhofe visit Daniel Bekele and Nesanet, the human rights defenders who are still languishing in jail. The protesters will request that Senator Inhofe give equal time to the opposition. Last but not least, the protesters will request Senator Inhofe give full support to H.R.2003.

ETHIOPIAN-AMERICANS and FRIENDS of ETHIOPIA in OKLAHOMA For H.R. 2003

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2007
WEEK-TWO OF PEACEFUL PROTEST AT SENATOR INHOFE’ S
OKLAHOMA CITY OFFICE

Contact Person:
Mr. Muluneh Zeleke, (Spokesperson)
Phone: 405-314-4560
ALL MEDIA INVITED!

In front of Senator Inhofe’s Oklahoma City office located at:
1900 NW Expressway Suite 1210
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
TIME: 11:00 AM
Purpose:

1)On-going campaign to create awareness among constituents of Senator Inhofe about H.R. 2003, the “Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007”
2)As constituents, to continue to petition Senator James Inhofe, to give his full support to the Democracy and Human Rights Bill: HR 2003.


OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – “I was sorry to learn of your opposition to H.R.2003, the “Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007.” I know you have a strong personal tie to Ethiopia and that you have been charmed by the personable Prime Minister Meles Zenawi (as have I). I believe, however, that H.R.2003 is sound legislation in holding the feet of the ruling TPLF to the fire to live up to its rhetoric about what you refer to as a positive democratization process… I hope you will reconsider your position on H.R.2003 and join your colleagues in the House of Representatives in striving to promote democracy and human rights in Ethiopia. By not standing in the way of Senate concurrence in this significant foreign policy initiative, you will be serving your constituents well. Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information about the current situation in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.”
- Open letter from OSU Professor Ted Vestal (author of “Ethiopia, A Post-Cold War Africa State”) to Sen. James Inhofe, November 13, 2007
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“…in Ethiopia, in reality it (HR 2003) focuses only on shortcomings while blatantly ignoring the unprecedented progress the country has made…While I agree that the violence and intimidation that took place in the country after the 2005 election was an unnecessary use of excessive force, the Government of Ethiopia has taken significant steps to regain a democratic process that is fair and respectful of human rights…I believe the bill takes the wrong approach by placing demands on a friend and ally that has made obvious advancements in democracy and human rights.
I hope when it comes to this side, if it does come in this form, that we will be able to resoundingly defeat it. I look forward to being in Ethiopia in about 3 weeks. I will certainly hope that I don't have to go over there after having something like this pass the Senate.”- Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), U.S. Senate, October 17, 2007

“…and has visited the nation four times. He’s very involved in the country and knows the leadership of that country very well. He’s not just doing this from Washington, D.C. He’s actually been there and seen it and knows the issues of that country."- Mr. John Collison, Senator James Inhofe’s District Director,
Associated Press, November 13, 2007

Ethiopian-Americans and Friends of Ethiopia in Oklahoma for H.R.2003 invite fellow Oklahomans, who support Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia to join the on-going effort to engage Senator Inhofe, by participating in the peaceful rally. If you are unable to attend the peaceful protest, please hand deliver this press release, fax and/or call Senator Inhofe and ask him to give his full support to HR 2003.

Washington, DC Office: (202) 224-4721 (tel); ( 202 ) 228-0380 (fax)
453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING, WASHINGTON, DC 20510-3602
Oklahoma City, OK Office: (405) 608-4381 (tel); (405) 608-4120 (fax)