(Advocacy4Oromia, 11 September 2015) Minnesota Oromos get their very own street under their community’s name-Oromo Street, today, 11 of September 2015.

Little Oromia’s ‘Oromo Street’  was officially inaugurated on September 12, 2015.

Minnesota of United States of America is widely known as “Little Oromia” among Oromos with an estimated 40,000 Oromos who flee from their homeland,Oromia, East Africa, due to political persecution.

The Oromo are the single largest national group in Ethiopia, constituting nearly half of the country’s 98 million population.

Public Reaction 

“To the Oromo who has for so long remained invisible in its adopted home after home, a well-deserved recognition, and a breath of warm air in the thick of Minnesota’s bitter winter,” said Hassan Hussein, the executive director of the Oromo Community of Minnesota. (http://www.opride.com/oromsis/news/3784-minneapolis-may-soon-get-a-commemorative-oromo-street)

“Picture of the Day: Little Oromia (Minneapolis) Now Has ‘Oromo Street,’” http://gadaa.net/FinfinneTribune/2015/09/picture-of-the-day-little-oromia-minneapolis-now-has-oromo-street-via-hegeree-media/

“Minnesota Oromos get their very own street under their community’s name today! How Awesome!,” said Demitu Argo on her Facebook timeline.

“It is official that the most anticipated commemoration of ‪#‎Oromo‬ and ‪#‎Somali‬ street is happening this coming Saturday. Cheers to all my East African immigrants! In celebration, the WestBank communities are hosting 1st Annual Block party. Here is the program breakdowns on Saturday 12, 2015. Can’t wait to park on Oromo street!,” said Edao Dawano on his Facebook timeline.

“Oromo Street is in effect in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Can’t wait to visit. Thank you America for recognizing the people you saved for the brutal Ethiopian government,” said Birhanie Beka Geleto on her Facebook with a feeling hopeful, from Washington, DC, United States ·

Background

This street name was proposed by Abdi Warsame who was born in Somalia and grew up in the United Kingdom of Great Britain where he studied and obtained a B.Sc. in Business and a Masters Degree in International Business.

Following that proposal, the Minneapolis City Planning Commission held a public hearing on Jan. 12 to decide on Council Member Abdi Warsame’s application for commemorative street names along the city’s Cedar riverside area.

Warsame’s proposal called for 4th Street South between Cedar Avenue and 15th Avenue South to be named “Oromo Street,” and for the stretch between 6th Street and Cedar Avenue to 15th avenue South to be called “Somali Street.”

Additional background information can be get from http://www.opride.com/oromsis/news/3784-minneapolis-may-soon-get-a-commemorative-oromo-street.

http://advocacy4oromia.org/2015/09/11/welcome-to-oromo-st-in-minisota-usa/

http://oromedia.net/2015/09/11/karaan-ameerikaa-maqaa-oromootiin-moggaafame/

https://oromianeconomist.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/oromo-street/