Nov 4

Nov 4 The Tigrays Speak

Demonstrations, Donald Trump, Performances, Protest, Public Declarations, Signs and Posters, The Age of Trump

After checking into my hotel near the White House, I headed out to see what Donald J. Trump had done to the East Wing. I wasn’t planning on making any photographs, but I did bring one camera with me. No flash. As I rounded the corner at 15th Street and H Street, heading westward, I could hear the sounds that I have come to know all too well. Some group was demonstrating about something.

I rushed down H Street, and shortly after passing Lafayette Park, I saw a fluorescent green banner, reading “5 Years of Tigray Genocide.” The last time I encountered the Trigrays was in Chicago in the 2022.

I must admit, I still don’t know much about this group. The Tigrays are Ethiopians, who fought a civil war that started in November 2020 and ended in November 2022. The armed conflict is considered the deadliest since the beginning of this century. As I wrote on September 2, 2022,

At some point, I must have seen a report about the Ethiopian civil war, but it apparently didn’t register. There always seems to be a civil war or coup d'état somewhere in Africa. As of late, those living in Africa can make equivalent claims about the United States.

Interestingly, much of the information on the Web pertaining to the Tigrays dates or references periods before 2023, suggesting that the civil war is now over. If it is, the people marching to the White House didn’t get the message. At least, their chants led me to believe it must be ongoing.

After reading the neatly typed three-page handout, I understood why the local members of the Tigray diaspora had taken to the streets. The march commemorated the fifth anniversary of the Tigray Genocide, which the group described as “a brutal and calculated war of annihilation unleashed on November 4, 2020.” But according to the handout, much more is on the line. From what I can gather, the civil war is over, but there still may be some skirmishes or incidents.

Those marching were demanding justice for the Tigray victims, including prosecution of war crimes. The statistics are deeply troubling. Approximately 2.2 million people were uprooted, with 70,000 fleeing to Sudan because of hunger—they remain displaced and impoverished. A recent report by the Commission of Inquiry on the Tigray Genocide entitled A Report on War-induced Genocidal Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Tigray, Ethiopia, surfaced even more disturbing findings. The respondents to a survey reported that at least 286,250 experienced at least one form of gender-based violence, with 166,621 experiencing sexual violence, including sexual slavery and gang rapes.

According to the handout, entire towns were burned to the ground during the civil war, with churches, ancient manuscripts, and other cultural artifacts destroyed. Estimates from international watchdog groups indicate that civilian deaths may have been as high as 600,000. Given that the conflict was a civil war, the number could include others than Tigrays, but the war was fought in the region of Ethiopia occupied ty Tigrays, so it is safe to assume that a disproportionate number of the deaths included Tigrays.

As for the march, it came to a halt in LaFayette Park, with the demonstrators facing the White House across the street as they stood behind the barricades erected by the Secret Service that now line Pennsylvania Avenue. The 125 marchers were orderly and peaceful. Several held bullhorns, apparently hoping that President Donald J. Trump heard their demands and pleas for justice. Given the intended audience of one, I suspect the marchers will have to return once Trump is turned out of office, asking the next Oval Office occupant for the justice that Trump couldn’t care less about.

I then headed to the National Mall to see whether any National Guard members had come out to protect people from Trump’s imagined crime wave that he claims is leaving tourists terrorized. No guard members were in sight, but I did see a tent near the Washington Monument. Shortly, the Tigrays would be staging a memorial service. Given the pitch-black night, I ran back to my hotel, grabbed a second camera and a flash. As I headed back to the National Mall, I saw flashing blue and red flights. The D.C. Police were protecting the Tigray from traffic as the Tigrays headed to the memorial service.

The memorial was straightforward. Several people gave short speeches. As I recall, one was the father of a Tigray leader who had been killed during the conflict. He was overcome with emotion.

One speaker, who I assume was an organizer, did note that tonight’s march and memorial service were part of a multi-day series of events. Earlier, the demonstrators had taken part in informational seminars and discussions. They had also headed to Capitol Hill, where they lobbied members of Congress, hoping that Congress might help the Tigrays find the justice that they sought.

Following the speeches, people laid yellow and roses at what might best described as an alter, placing them on the ground in a solemn act of remembrance.

After everyone had the chance to leave a rose, those who remained gathered together for conversation. I headed back to my hotel to prepare for the next day’s Refuse Fascism rally.

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]