Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Dan Olson
St. Paul, Minn.

Minn. Oromo hold vigil for students protesting in Ethiopia

Hassen Hussein
Hassen Hussein, executive director of Oromo Community of Minnesota, along with others at the state Capitol on May 10, 2014 as part of a weekend vigil to call attention to reports of Ethiopian security forces killing dozens of Oromo students in Ethiopia who are protesting a government development plan that takes Oromo farmland.
Dan Olson/MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Oromo living in Minnesota are holding a weekend vigil at the state Capitol to protest the killing of students in Ethiopia by government security forces.

The students are protesting a plan by the government to take a large amount of land from Oromo farmers for development.

Hassen Hussein, Oromo Community of Minnesota executive director, wants the United States to help calm the situation.

"We are urging the United States government to be a little bit more proactive to open up the political system to make the system as inclusive as possible so that multiple voices can be heard within the political process and a peaceful solution can be found," he said.

An estimated 40,000 Oromo live in Minnesota, one of the largest concentrations in the United States.

Hussein said the Oromo are the majority population in Ethiopia.

"The reason why the government is so paranoid about any protest by the Oromo is because of our sheer numbers," he said. "They are afraid the system cannot hold. . . so they lash out with disproportionate force."

Ethiopia's government restricts access of outsiders and controls the press. The government reports 11 students killed in the clash, but other accounts put the death toll much higher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndJ1NE0qV_M