A pickup truck driving around Washington today displayed a large billboard in its bed accusing DLA Piper of lobbying for an Ethiopian dictator.
The American Lawyer reported last year on the firm's 2008 efforts on behalf of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his government to keep Congress from imposing sanctions on the country for human rights violations. In April, the firm released a statement to Above the Law saying that it was no longer representing Zenawi’s government in those matters, but is still helping them with pro bono work relating to a school in Addis Ababa.
Apparently, there are still hard feelings--though we're not sure who has them.
(Photo by Daniel Newhauser)
It is ironic that the handful tiny tiny haters are out in full force yet to decieve public opinion. But let me repeat, Meles Zenawi for Ethiopia, is no more than Louis Farakhan for the Untied States. A hateful, I know it all, I tell it all, murderer looter, despised by the overwhelming majority of Ethiopians.
Will Amaericans, in general, the Anglo type in particular, ever accept Farakhan, with his hateful, hate America stand, with his own ethnic Black Muslim militia to rule the US for 18 days, let alone 18 years? I guess not. Everytime they bark Amhara here, know that Murtala Muhamad says that about the Anglos, on every street of America every day. It is the same thing. These are a bunch of total loosers, looters, haters who do not even consider themselves as Ethiopians. Ethiopia for them is like a cow to drink her milk all her life, and slaughtered and eaten when her use expires. But I can assure you, all Ethiopians will in the end deliver them the inevitable retaliation. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, even Hitler's a thousand year Reich has gone down the tube. The occupation will cease, Ethiopians will take their destiny back into their hands. WE WILL NOT Live IN the same COUNTRY WITH THESE HATER RACIST MONSTORs, EVER.
Posted by: Oppressed Ethiopian | November 05, 2009 at 10:16 PM
What was the question again?!!
well,...you know the answer.In case you want to see it in writtings here ye go!!!
All Ehiopian people who are sufferring under your cliant's rule,all friends of Ethiopian people and all Lawyers who stand for human rights and democracy but not for money have hard feelings on you.By the way what do you teach yong Ethioian lawyers you say your are teaching?To go after money, all money nothing else but money even if it means killing their country,your country or anything everything but not money?!!
Posted by: aida | November 02, 2009 at 07:06 PM
DLA piper is a firm that told untrue stories on several occasions. IT SHOULD BE PUT ON THE SPOT LIGHT. Melese is no doubt a killer and he will soon face justice.
Posted by: pipe | November 02, 2009 at 09:36 AM
Cancer Tigres! No use! Fri Amara! Tebab Oromo! All No Use! But Tigre is devastating tribe...They are cancers!
Posted by: Tibebu | November 02, 2009 at 02:30 AM
Isn't it ironic that former Communists and feudal monsters who themselves were part of the destruction some 19 years ago are accusing Melese Zenawi of crime? These children and grand children of ignorant Derg butchers should them selves be hunted down and brought to justice here in the USA. Melese Zenawi and his party have brought much needed development and dignity in 18 years than his accusers could in over hundred years. Leave Melese alone.
Posted by: Bihon Gashaw | November 01, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is admired by African leaders and had represented the continent several times in international arenas. He is admired by his people and the rest of the progressive world. Those who are opposing him in DC are the former members of the Comunist regime who have blood of millions on their hands. They represent only one tribe, the Amharas who were opperssing and killing Ethiopins in mass. DLP you are on the right side of history. Let those illiterate historical rejects rejoice on the streets of DC. They would have helped their impoverished country if they send their money to their poor parents. Or go to some kind of school instead of being a burden to their host country.
Posted by: Robert | November 01, 2009 at 11:26 AM
THE DICTATRIAL MALELIT (MARXIST LENINIST LIG TEGRAY) IS A CHAMELEON WITH NO HUMAN CHARACTER IN THEM THIS WELL ORGANAIZED CRIMINAL AND GANGSTERS GROUP IS A COLD BLOODED KILLER LOOTER MAKES THE WHOLE SITUATION WORSE TO CALL THEM AS GOVT AFTER SAYING THAT DLA PIPER IS REAL SHAMEFUL LOBBY GROUP EARNING THE MONEY STOLEN FROM A STARVING AND HUNGRY ETHIOPIAN KIDS IN THE OTHER WAY THEY ARE EVEN ACCOUNTABLE WITH FOR ALL ATTROCITIES CRIMES BY WORKING THE MOST DANGEROUS CRIMINAL OF THE 21ST CENTURY
ON OUR PLANET
Posted by: Alama | November 01, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Those loosers in DC will do anything to come to power including labling the current leader as a monster. They are also against economic growth and humaniterian aid to Ethiopia. The good news is most of them are old and they will expire soon. The young with positive attitude will work on the democratic trend started by the gov't. Though not perfect, the current gov't is by far better than the others who came before it.
Posted by: Bon2 | November 01, 2009 at 02:58 AM
These are the same Ethiopians that didn't dare say a word when Marxsist Mengestu butchered more than 300,000 souls. Yet, they scream wolf because Melese Zenawi happen to be from one of the minority ethinic groups in Ethiopia. If he was a murderer and a butcher how come he is invited to G-8 summit? I ask the world to keep a watch on Ethiopia. Because we have another Rwanda of Interhawme Hutu extremist called the Amhara tribe burning in jealousy and hate. Anyone should be naive not to notice it.
Posted by: Mamitu | October 31, 2009 at 06:21 PM
AMERICANS DON'T KNOW? WOW, WHAT A STUPID STATEMENT. AMERICANS, AMERICAN JEWS, AND BRITISH GOVS AND INTERESTS ARE THE ONE'S RUNNING ETHIOPIA. YOU THINK IT IS MELES ZENAWI. HE IS JUST THE "EGER ATABI". THE AMERICAN AND BRITISH GOV'S ACT LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, WHEN THEY ARE THE ONE'S DESIGNING EVERYTHING. CAN YOU BELIEVE SUCH A HUGE ELECTION SUCH AS THE 2005 ONE HAS NOT EVEN MADE IT TO CNN. AFRICAN ELECTIONS MAKE IT TO THE CNN. WHY NOT ETHIOPIA'S. THEY DON'T NEED US OR OUR DICTATORS TO INFORM THEM. THEY KNOW IT ALL THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO FULL US, LIKE THEY DON'T.
Posted by: SOLOMON | October 31, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Meles is a two headed monster with blood on his hand. He has managed to convince corrupt African leader that he is a democrat while acting like a communist in Ethiopia. Another election is around the corner. Majority of Ethiopians want change. He knows it too. Will he allow change or try to rule Ethiopia for the next 30 years as he has written before? Will the U.S government stand with the Ethiopian people or side with DLA Piper & Zenawi?
Posted by: Habtamu | October 31, 2009 at 01:24 PM
It is amazing some people are trying to defend the indefensible butcher who looks like a chihuahua. Here is a sample of his handy work
http://tinyurl.com/ysmvtc
Not to mention the disgrace of paying corrupt lobbyists from the billions of aid money he receives and pockets, while 10's of millions are starving. Ethiopia has become the laughing stock of the world, him insisting it has the highest economic growth of Africa while the country can not even feed it self.
http://tinyurl.com/yku9y4n
May god save Ethiopia from this second coming of Mengistu.
Here you go DLA Piper in the hill at work, as a megaphone for the butcher.
http://tinyurl.com/yggq94s
Posted by: ADDIS | October 31, 2009 at 01:11 PM
What an ignorant and hateful comment by Tigre Lig. May God have mercy on you. Ethiopians are one, Tigre, Amhara, Oromo, Guraghe etc have been living together for centuries...peacefully. Why on earth are you wishing the fate of Rwanda to Ethiopia? Detestable!!!!!!!!!!!That is all I can say. God bless Ethiopia!
Posted by: Etopis | October 31, 2009 at 12:21 PM
The crime commited by Melesse Zenawi and His Tigre followers against the Amhara and Oromo Ethiopians is paid by the American taxpayers.The snipers who killed hundreds during the 2005 election were trained by US forces.America, it is time to stand with the people of Ethiopia not with Tigre genociders.
Posted by: Dereje | October 31, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Washington D.C is home to former Ethiopian communists ("Derg") murderers, now turned social democrats, trying to defame the person who cleaned them out of Ethiopia.
If that poster is right, then the U.S., E.U., U.N., A.U. and World Bank must all be wrong about Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's contribution to Ethiopia's economic growth and stability in Horn of Africa.
Only in America!
Posted by: Propaganda Buster | October 31, 2009 at 07:07 AM
I am Ethiopian and my tribe is from Amhara it is true that Meles Zenawi killed innoccent civilians including child and women, it is true that the majority of Tigreans are not voicing there opposition to the regime. However, that doesn't mean that we need to be as brutal as Meles and start killing innocent people. That is very wrong and I personally fight someone like you (Oppressed Ethiopian) from getting the chance to do what you say. But my strong guess is the above article is written by TPLF cadre (Zenawi's party) just to ignite hate and give Amhara a bad name. Please leave us alone and stop murdering innocent people.
Posted by: Mezgebu | October 31, 2009 at 06:01 AM
We thought you guys could get some modernization of the west while supporting the difficulty of exile but you remain in the darkness you took. What a pity! This man is hailed in the whole continent for his smart and shrwed mind. Why should we be so jealous? Shame! Today you also insult Americans just because they take different stand? Paranoia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: atitegheb | October 31, 2009 at 04:33 AM
Aye ye Amara fokari , coward, you run away from your country rather than facing reality and now you are all hot air quoting Lincoln , while scavenging and munching mechanically recovered meat.
Posted by: Tigre Lig | October 31, 2009 at 02:56 AM
Americans have very limited understanding of what is going on in Ethiopia. Let me put it bluntly. Meles Zenawi for Ethiopia is not one iota more than Louis Farakhan for the US, an extreme of the minority. The previous Communist government beat up Ethiopians so bad, murdered, imprisoned, exiled, properties stolen, you name it it was done to them. By this juncture in our history, by the help of Jimmy Carter/ Paul Henze and the likes this evil monster came to power. They got rid of the provinces, some of which has been there for a 1,000 years and imposed old Mussolini's ethnic bantustan. They grabbed a third of Gondar province and seed it to Tigray. They control 75% of the economy thru two mega business Midroc and Effort and steal anything they can touch. They went to Eritrea and celebrate the dismemberment of Ethiopia. Lincoln did not become your greatest President for going to Richmond and celebrating the seceesion of the South. I am not even scratching the surface. These evil ethnic pests are destroying our nation. You think Rwanda was bad? Wait til Ethiopia explodes. For every of our ancestors they insulted, we will kill a thousand. You can defecate all day, but I assure you a high born Wasp, aka Amara, will always stay that, as the inner city bum, Tigre, will be wiped off the face of the Earth.
Posted by: Oppressed Ethiopian | October 31, 2009 at 12:25 AM