On Friday, October 5th, 2007, I had the honor of hosting a public reception welcoming members of the Ethiopian parliament in the Council Chambers at the King County Courthouse. The four members of parliament and one mayor are part of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), an opposition coalition that won at least 20 percent of seats in the House of People’s Representatives in the disputed 2005 general elections. Following the elections, the opposition parties charged Prime Minister Meles Zenawi with vote-rigging, which initiated widespread protests.

The unrest following the protests resulted in the deaths of at least 193 civilians and six police officers, according to a parliamentary inquiry. Additionally, nearly 30,000 people were arrested. All five members of our visiting delegation were imprisoned, along with many other political leaders of the CUD.

It was a great honor to host the members of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), representatives of the Ethiopian Parliment imprisoned for protesting the results of the country's 2005 general election.

Last year, King County Executive Ron Sims, along with Councilmembers Dow Constantine, Larry Phillips and I, signed a letter urging Congress to exert pressure on Zenawi to free political prisoners and relinquish power. As a result of what became a widespread, international campaign, political prisoners – including our esteemed guests – were released.

While the CUD delegation was released, they continue their work in building a democratic movement in Ethiopia. Their visit was meant to thank us for our support, and to continue momentum in their fight.

On behalf of all of Martin Luther King County, I am honored and humbled to have been a part of this movement, and we have pledged to do all that is within our power to continue to support our Ethiopian brothers and sisters here in King County, as well as in their homeland in their continued struggle. I would like to express our most sincerely gratitude to Shakspear of our local Ethiopian community for bringing this issue to our attention, and to all of those who joined me in welcoming our guests.