ESAT recognizes Feyisa Lilesa, Col. Demeke Zewdu as persons of the year

ESAT News (September 19, 2016)

Feyisa Lilesa, an international marathon star known for his protest gestures at the Rio Olympics and Col. Demeke Zewdu, a leader of the uprising in Gondar against the TPLF brutal regime were recognized as persons of the year 2008 Ethiopian Calendar at an annual event hosted by the Ethiopian Satellite Television and Radio (ESAT).

The athlete was applauded for his daring gesture at the Rio Olympics against a ruthless regime in Ethiopia, drawing the attention of the world community to the crimes perpetrated by a regime in his country against the people.

Colonel Demeke Zewdu was commended for refusing to let his people to continue being subjugated by the minority tyranny and leading the people of Wolkait, Tegede and Telemt, as well as Gondar as a whole to rise up against tyranny, which the rest of Ethiopians drew courage to stand up for their rights and fight against an ethnic oligarchy.

ESAT holds an annual event in the Ethiopian first month of Meskerem (September) to thank its supporters and recognize Ethiopians who impact their community in the year.

Speakers on the occasion applauded ESAT for informing and educating Ethiopians at home and in the diaspora on the crimes and human rights violations carried out by the Ethiopian regime. Attendees commend ESAT for the exclusive and investigative stories that exposes the tyrannical regime. Without ESAT, they say, Ethiopians would continue to be in the dark as to the crimes of the regime.

Supports on the occasion raised over 30,000 dollars for the purchase of computers and other supplies.