Calgary Ethiopian community calls for action in Oromia student deaths

Ethiopians call for action in Oromia student deaths in Calgary, Seattle and London

Calgary Ethiopian community calls for action in Oromia student deaths

Oromia student deaths range from 4 to 10 depending on source
About a hundred people from Calgary's Ethiopian community held a rally outside city hall Thursday to draw attention to violence happening in their home country.
People in the Oromia region have been protesting the Ethiopian government's plan to integrate the country's capital city, Addis Ababa, with surrounding towns in the area.
An opposition leader said 10 Oromo students were killed by police while protesting this week.
An Ethiopian government spokesperson says four students died and 20 police officers were injured when protests became violent.
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Seattle Oromos denounce “killer” Ethiopian government, demand investigation

By Goorish Wibneh
Oromos from the Seattle area gathered downtown yesterday to condemned the Ethiopian government’s lethal response to student protests sparked around the south of the country this week.
The protests of high school and university students were in response to the government’s “master plan” that will integrate the capital and surrounding areas now belonging to the Oromo Region, which protestors say will displace farmers.
“I believe people should have the right to protest without feeling like they are gonna be beaten, or killed or jailed.” said Sartu Adem, 18, who was among about 200 solidarity protesters who gathered in front of the Federal Building on 2nd Avenue. “But I feel like the people should have a say whether they want [the development plan] or not — not just the government saying ‘oh we are developing the country!'”
The action was coordinated by Oromo Community Services of Seattle, and began in the rainy noon hour with march from Yesler Community Center.
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Ethiopia: Oromo community protests in London over 'forced eviction and ethnic cleansing'
Members of the Oromo community in the UK have gathered in central London to protest against the forced eviction of their people in Ethiopia. Protesters argued the Ethiopian government's so-called "master plan" to expand the borders of capital Addis Ababa into the regional state of Oromia will lead to the eviction of Oromo people from their farmlands.
The forced evictions allow authorities to build roads and infrastructures. As a result, Oromo people lose their livelihoods and become poor. Demonstrators also argued that forced evictions as well as a perceived marginalisation by the government threatens the survival of their culture and language.
Activists also claimed Ethiopian security forces persecute and kill Oromo protesters. Earlier in December, reports alleged that at least seven Oromos were killed during protests against Addis Ababa expansion. Oromia police confirmed three people were killed, defying them as "anti-peace forces".
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