Above – Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi spoke on the
global environment and Africa on Wednesday, but faced tough
questions from audience members. Photo/Columbia Spectator.
By Amber Tunnell
Published September 23, 2010
When Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi came to give a speech on “The Current Global Environment and its Impact in Africa” on Wednesday, he faced tough questions from student attendees on his leadership of his home country. Read more.
Opinion
Zenawi awareness
By Neil FitzPatrick
Broadway was awash with opponents and supporters of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday. His visit sparked more controversy than Columbia has seen in a while. If you look here and scroll down, you’ll see that there are a couple hundred comments on Spectrum’s coverage of the event. Most of them call Zenawi a “killer,” accuse him of violating human rights, and assert that Columbia should be ashamed for inviting him to speak. More than a few wonder at the validity of this demonstration of free speech. Read more.
Video posted on YouTube by NewSchoolthoughts’ Channel.
Protest And Counterprotest (Columbia Spectator)
Above: The pro-Zenawi crowd (Columbia Spectrum)
Video: The anti-Zenawi crowd, north of 115 St. in front of Morton Williams
Video: The pro-Zenawi crowd, south of 115th St. by Pinnacle
——
UPDATE
September 22, 2010
Ben Cotton of Columbia Spectator reports:
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is still scheduled to speak at the World Leaders Forum {today} at 4 p.m., but Columbia announced {yesterday} that the speech has been moved from Low Rotunda to Roone Arledge Auditorium in Lerner Hall. The University declined to comment on the reason for the change, but it is worth noting that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s controversial appearance in 2007 also took place in Roone Arledge rather than Low Library, which is generally the venue of choice for the highest-profile speakers
SOURCE: Columbia Spectator
Columbia’s invitation to Zenawi sparks outrage
Some students say the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister
Meles Zenawi is an offense to human rights, while others say
it’s meant only to spark academic discussion. – (Spectator)
By Amber Tunnell
Published September 20, 2010
Throughout the week, the World Leaders Forum will bring heads of state from around the world to address Columbia.
But as far as controversy goes, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi tops the list. Read more.
—
Ethiopian PM to speak at Columbia University
Date: September 22, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Rotunda, Low Library
Description: This World Leaders Forum program features an address by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia followed by a question and answer session with the audience.