Ethiopian-American voters convention held in Virginia

Oct. 15 (ESAT News) The first Ethiopian-American voters convention was held Sunday in Alexandria, Virginia, a state largely considered one of the decisive swing states in the general elections.

Organized by Vote for Free Ethiopia USA, the convention drew hundreds of participants from various states and candidates running for congress, state and city councils including Congressman Moran Griffith, Republican representative for Virginia’s 9th congressional district.

In a speech he delivered at the event, Congressman Griffith noted that he fully understands the problems and difficulties facing Ethiopians and promised to stand by the side of Ethiopian-Americans that aspire to bring about change.

Alexandria City Mayor William D. Euille said on his part that Ethiopian-Americans should get involved at local and various administrative levels. He promised that he would raise issues related to Ethiopia at every opportunity to meet President Barack Obama.

Mr. Dagnachew Teshome, who leads the voters initiative and came all the way from Los Angeles, detailed the benefits of taking advantage of the right to vote and leveraging it for change in a democratic country like the US.

A press release issued by Vote for Free Ethiopia USA further noted that the number of Ethiopian-Americans who can vote in the US has significantly increased. The release underlined the need to get organized and to get proportional representation and advantages.

The finale of the event was the public drawing of the ESAT Tombola. Ticket number 0889 was declared a winner. The management announced that the winner can collect a new 2012 Toyata Rav in their color of choice from a Toyota dealer in any city.