August 13, 2011 People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) hosted a festival in support of the Eritrean government at Oakland Tech High School. Eritrean Youth for Change (EYC) and Eritrean People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) were also present and held a very successful demonstration against PFDJ. Also in support were other protesters that may or may not have affiliation with any particular group.

PFDJ has been supporting Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki, who astonishingly does not believe in democracy.  His ideal for Eritrea is Dictatorship.  He has been in power since 1991.  So much for democracy, PFDJ!

Eritrean Ambassador from Belgium by the name Mohammed Sulieman; who is politically undeveloped, started the evening with a speech. Let me just say that this speech was of no value to the fundamental challenges that affect our people.  Instead, this speech was focused on insulting Ethiopians and questioning why Eritrea has been sanctioned by the US, as though, there wasn’t just cause.

Following his speech, Mr. Sulieman and two unnamed men had a question and answer session with the audience.  They asked that anyone with questions please come forward.  Merih, Rufael, Magda and I (Smret) attended the meeting. Merih asked the question, “We have heard about other countries, but you have not spoken about the political and religious prisoners of Eritrea and why are you disrupting your Eritrean people?!” Flabbergasted by the question, their answer was to advise her to go to the Eritrean Embassy because this is not the time and place for it. One of the audience members stood up and instructed the man with the microphone (Araya Efrem) to have the audience submit written questions.  Magda, who beliefs in freedom of speech shouted, “Answer the question!” several times.  Intimidated by our bravery, boatload of the audience began to shout at Merih, “Tell her to sit down!” I was videotaping and began to reply to some that they were being taped.  

All of a sudden, a man by the name of Temesghen pushed me and snatched my phone.  Fortunately, I was able to get it back.  The violence began to grow.  The four of us were defending and protecting each other.  Men and women had the audacity to hit, push, jolt, and thrust us.  One of us got pushed to the floor and the other pulled by the hair.  We endured headaches, light bruises and soreness.  Our enthusiasm has brought us great courage and one thing we know; we will not be stopped! There will be a time PFDJ will be running to the opposition.  Our arms will be wide open to embrace them.

As young adults who attended the meeting in the hopes of gaining a greater insight of what is going on in our country, instead, we learned PFDJ’s meeting had lack of civility and respect for dissenting opinions. 

CHANGE is always occurring and it was beautiful to witness that PFDJ’s numbers are decreasing tremendously.  More than 10,000 Eritreans reside in the Bay Area; give or take there were about 150 Eritreans who attended the meeting.     

AWARENESS IS BEAUTIFUL.  PLEASE TAKE ACTION.  WE ARE THE VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS!

SMRET TEWELDE YOHANNES