Ottawa: Eritrean Canadians Demonstrate for Border Demarcation and enforcement and respect of rule of Law -March 10, 2004

March 9, 2004: While the world’s attention was riveted on the proceedings and ceremonies inside the Canadian Parliament’s chamber of House of Commons in honour of U.N. Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, about 150 – 200 Eritrean Canadians from the Ottawa Carleton and Montreal Communities braved the bitter cold from 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. to express their concern and dissatisfaction with the delay and nonchalance of the international community to pressure Ethiopia to accept the binding and final ruling of the border commission.

Despite the short notice, the dismal weather and the inconvenience of missing a class, work and other personal chores, Eritrean Canadians from both communities came in sufficient number with appropriate banners and slogans and in a disciplined and highly organized manner delivered their message. Mr. Kofi Annan, after the end of the ceremony came to acknowledge and salute the demonstrators. He took sufficient time to gracefully smile, wave his hand and nod his head and seemed to scan the message on the banners held high by the demonstrators.

The media and passers by could not help it but follow and witness where the Secretary General’s attention was riveted: A call and cry to do his job from a law abiding, upright citizens from a small nation – Eritrea.

Pamphlets and appeal letters were distributed and two documents prepared by the organizing committee were delivered through security officers to the attention of Mr. Kofi Annan and Mr. Paul Martin, the Prime Minister of Canada.