This demonstration is taking place through an initiative by Eritreans residing in virtually every corner of the World.:

The main purpose of the demonstration is to bring to the attention of the international community the fact that Ethiopia, under the guise of a border dispute, is relentlessly engaged in activities that violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Eritrea. Prior to the escalation of the conflict into a military confrontation, the Eritrean Government left no stones unturned to engage in bilateral negotiations. However, since the Woyane dominated Government in Ethiopia had sinister ulterior motives, they tried to undermine the activities of the Joint Border Commission to cause a territorial dispute to degenerate into an unnecessary armed conflict. Therefore, in early May of 1998 the Ethiopian military murdered several Eritrean border patrols without any provocation. Through this unilateral illegal action, prior continual violations of Eritrean territorial integrity followed by the dismantling of Eritrean administrative structures, their goal was to establish facts on the ground in order to "influence" the outcome any future negotiations. The Eritreans acted in self defense and established control of their legitimate territory.

Subsequently, the Ethiopian Gov't declared war on Eritrea on May 13th, launched air strikes on Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, on June 5th of 1998. They imposed air blockade and maritime access to Eritrean pets through their threats of "incessant and indiscriminate bombing". Consistent with its vision of promoting mutual cooperation between the two nations and fostering a harmonious relationship between the Eritrean and Ethiopian peoples, the Eritrean Gov't has been seeking a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with the 1900, 1902, 1908 colonial border treaties and the Organization of African Unity's principle regarding the sanctity of already established colonial borders. In addition the Eritrean Gov't has accepted an OAU peace plan and continues to be constructively engaged in the organization's peace initiative. Eritrea's current position on this matter has received support from the United Nations, European Union, Organization of African Unity, several nations and secular and religious organizations. On the contrary, Ethiopia is requesting that Eritrea withdraw from all "disputed regions". without any preconditions for any substantive talks to commence. It is this intransigence and the recent unreasonable injections of new preconditions by Ethiopia that are stalling the peace process. Given the fact that there are disputed territories, why should Eritrea be expected to withdraw without any preconditions? Both sides should, once a bilateral cease-fire and an agreement to demilitarize the disputed regions have been reached: Such a development can pave the way for the demarcation of the entire Ethio-Eritrean border and the achievement of a lasting and equitable resolution of the conflict.

Therefore, we would like to urge you to contact your Gov't and legislators, the UN and the OAU so that pressure can be brought to bear on Ethiopia to:
1- Accept the OAU plan without injecting any new preconditions.
2- Accept a cease-fire and commit itself to the demilitarization of the disputed areas within the context of the OAU peace plan.
3- Agree to the demarcation of the entire Ethio-Eritrean border based on the colonial treaties stated above and OAU's principle concerning the sanctity of already established colonial borders.
4- Desist from engaging in illegal acts that violate Eritrean territorial integrity
5- Stop using mercenaries to kill and maim innocent Eritrean civilians
6- Stop perpetuating human rights abuses against Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean descent who reside in Ethiopia.