Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 21:56:44 -0400
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/05/chs-pics-thank-you-for-choosing-seattle-eritreans-mark-independence-in-annual-capitol-hill-celebration/
CHS Pics | ‘Thank you for choosing Seattle’ — Eritreans mark independence
in annual Capitol Hill celebration
Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 10:01 pm by jseattle
Many of the approximately 39,000 East Africans who call Seattle home were
in Volunteer Park Sunday to celebrate Eritrean Independence Day.
On May 24, 1991, “Eritrean People’s Liberation Front forces moved into the
capital Asmara, reinstating independence, following a 30-year-long battle
against the Ethiopian military regime,”Wikipedia sums it up in what seems
to be a massive simplification.
Washington history site Historylink.org documents the rise of the Eritrean
Association in Greater Seattle as an important part of the community
starting in 1994:
The association converted the house into an office with meeting rooms and a
computer lab, and a community center that provides space for computer
classes, tutoring, Tigrinya literacy classes, and other programs. Eritreans
can receive help in becoming a United States citizen and in finding jobs
and housing.
Earlier this year, CHS reported on the effort to create an East African
business association centered around the Central District’s restaurants and
markets.
In addition to food, drink, dancing, and song, celebrations during Sunday’s
event included protesters on hand to have their say about Isaias Afwerki
who has served as president since leading the fight for independence.
“Constitution amended & prevails, dictator die,” read the shirts worn by
some in the group. Security on hand attempted to remove the protesters from
Sunday’s event but after a review of the organizers’ permit, police said
the group could stay.
Later, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray arrived to formally proclaim Eritrean
Independence Day in the City of Seattle.
“Seattle was the first city in America to recognize Eritrean Independence,”
Murray said. “And we are so proud of that.”
“Thank you for choosing Seattle.”
(image/jpeg attachment: seattle-mayor.JPG)