From: michael seium (michael.seium@gmail.com)
Date: Tue Mar 23 2010 - 20:06:53 EST
http://eritrean-smart.org/node/146
E-SMART National Day of Action: Actions spoke louder than words.
On March 23rd, 2010 a month after the very successful Eritrean worldwide
demonstrations that took the world by storm, the E-SMART National action day
took place throughout the United States. In Washington D.C where hundreds of
people flocked to the ECCC on 6th and L streets throughout the day, the
fighting spirit that has been instilled in the hearts of every Eritrean was
once again shining brightly.
Using the proper and legal methods of their adopted homeland, Eritrean
Americans were making phone calls, e-mailing, faxing, and continuing the
battle against the illegal and unjust sanctions that took place in December
of 2009. This morning while the faxes were being sent in large numbers to
the United States State Department, the fax machines were not able to handle
the amount of letters and were turned off. It was also learned that some
important people at the country’s highest office for international policy
had their employees express their desire not to be called. They also
expressed that the first lady of the state dept. had nothing to do with the
sanctions. However the national action day got stronger by the minute. Other
States were also involved heavily as the E-SMART campaign has been a great
tool for Eritreans to battle against the very illegal and unjust sanction. Some
of the States involved include, Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, North Carolina,
California, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Massachusetts,
Florida and more...
In addition, hundreds of Eritreans called their congress people, and
senators from the metro DC area including Virginia & Maryland to strongly
express their anger about the illegal and unjust sanctions. The phone calls
made a huge difference, as the legislative assistants were educated about
Eritrea & the sanctions while getting an earful. They were told to relay the
concerns of Eritrean-Americans that the United States ambassador to the
United nations and the many other actors who have been responsible for the
sanctions need to re-think their policy in the horn of Africa. That
Eritrean-Americans like Irish, Italian, Asian, African, and other Americans
are law abiding, tax paying and hard working citizens who contribute to the
betterment of their adopted homeland.
President Obama may have been busy lately working on a healthcare bill but
Eritrean Americans did not want the controversial healthcare bill to get in
their way as has been in the past with many other important domestic issues.
However, they did not budge an inch from their mission of letting the
leaders and leading institutions of this country get away from their wrong
decisions and policy making towards Eritrea and the horn of Africa in
general. The illegal sanctions against Eritrea must be annulled and repealed
today and until the sanctions are completely removed the Eritrean people
will continue to fight for justice. The type of movement that took place on
National action day will continue until the sanctions are completely removed
and beyond.
Today was a clear indication that Eritrean-Americans are ready to stand by
their people and the very honest, hard working and self reliant Eritrean
government for life as the government of Eritrea and the people of Eritrea
are one entity together despite the divisions that are being sowed by those
who don’t understand the relationship which was built over a period of many
decades. The term “one Heart one people” sums it up and it is a true
indication of how Eritrea is built as a nation.
Congratulations to the Mekete team, NUEW, YPFDJ, Hidri, PFDJ chapters in the
metro area and to all Eritreans who came in large numbers to continue the
fight for justice and peace in the horn of Africa via the E-SMART Campaign
(ERITREAN SANCTIONS MUST be ANNULED & REPEALED TODAY!)
Awet N’hafash,
Zelalemawi Zikri Swatna,
Mike Seium
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