October 19, 2010
Ethiopian Community are fighting for justice at the savage Murder of Ali Mohammed in Washington, DC 
Press Release
By Advocacy for Ethiopia, Ethiopian-American Civic Advocacy (For further information please call: 301-326-7469 or E-mail: [email protected])

Ali A. Mohammed
WASHINGTON, DC � Ethiopian and Ethiopian-American civic groups and activists in the DC area are shocked and outraged at the savage murder of a young Ethiopian man by employees and the co-owner of the Washington DC nightclub, DC9, early Saturday morning October 16, 2010.
The unarmed man, Ali Ahmed Mohammed, had already been apprehended, tackled to the floor, and effectively restrained by the four DC9 employees, and thus couldn�t have caused any physical harm to them nor fled. Nevertheless, the DC9 employees proceeded to repeatedly stomp him in the head, kick him, and beat him in cold blood, killing the young 27-year-old man.
Adding insult to injury, this savage killing which initially led to second-degree murder charges of the five DC9 employees and co-owner, was inexplicably reduced to aggravated assault within the same day. This is an affront to justice, adding to the deep pain felt by the victim�s family and friends and the Ethiopian community which is grieving the violent loss of a young life at the hands of the five DC9 men.
What Ethiopian Americans in Washington DC area shall do?
1. Join the vigil to be held by Ethiopian Americans for Ali Ahmed Mohammed; The Vigil shall take place on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 6 pm outside DC9, located on the 2000 block of 9th Street NW; 
2. Support the aggrieved family and provide financial assistance in this time of sorrow; 
3. Contact the U.S. attorney�s office for the District of Columbia (202-514 7566, email [email protected]) and express your outrage at the reduced charges for Ali�s murderers and demand justice; 
4. Attend the preliminary hearing at the DC Superior Court on November 11, 2010. 
The vigil will be an opportunity for Ethiopian Americans together in this difficult time to reaffirm the fight for justice for Ethiopians living all over the world.
Murder cover-up in the making? 

ByTibebe Samuel
For any one wills to see. all the signs are there; a sign to cover up a crime. Some of the individuals who allegedly involved in the murder of Ali Ahmed Mohammed are well connected with DC politicians. Unfortunately, the statement made by some of these politicians, publicly, seems to change the course of the investigation. Sadly, some are glorifying the alleged perpetrators of this crime.

What took place at the DC superior court on October 16, 2010 gives a glimpse of picture the kind of support the alleged criminals is galvanizing. Often, court rooms are filled by friends and relatives of victims; in this case however, the court room and its hallways were filled by the supporters of those who are accused of committing this horrendous crime. The Washington Post on its October 17, 2010 report stated

�There was an audible sigh of relief when someone walked out of the courtroom shortly after noon to tell them that the charges were aggravated assault and not second-degree murder. When Spieler, Preller and Carter walked out of the courtroom not long afterward � released on home detention with electronic monitoring � the crowd erupted in applause.�
If this does not make you angry, I don�t know what would. Those who are connected with the system and with high profile politicians have nothing but praise for them despite the fact that they are suspects in the murder of a young man. What is astonishing to this writer is the claim by the DC police and by the DC medical examiners office stating that there was no visible physical injury on Ali. For any one who looked at the blood on U Street, for any one who looked at the crime scene photo, this is an insult to injury. Where did that blood come from? This was not a drop of blood; it is clear that the blood was gushing out from severe injury that Ali was subjected to.

The Washington post stated referring court documents ��according to the affidavit. Officers saw dried blood on Mohammed�s face and noticed that his head was swollen.� Dry Blood? Swollen Head? Where did all the blood on the street come from? Because the alleged criminals are connected, are the police going to exercise willful blindness? Is this the kind of justice that any one expects? How is it that the DC police noticed a swollen head, but the DC medical examiner said �The D.C. medical examiner �did not observe external injuries sufficient to allow it to opine on the cause of death,� according to the police affidavit. If this makes sense to you, please enlighten us. The first high profile politician who expressed doubt about the action of DC9 club co-owner is D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1). Mr. Graham represents this ward and according to his own admission he is well �acquainted� with the owners of the club. Did the statement made by Mr. Graham publicly influenced the police? Is there something going on behind the screen? Mr. Graham said �DC9 has a pretty clean record.� He said �he is acquainted with the club�s owners and had never seen Spieler display the temperament of someone who would take part in a vicious assault.� Such irresponsible and outrageous statements have an enormous impact when spoken by an influential politician. If the investigation is �ongoing�, then why make such a public statement to influence the outcome of the investigation.

The alleged criminals are applauded by their supporters with an enormous disregard to a human life. Reading the Washington Post, the comments made by friends, supporters and those who were customers of the club, clearly shows that the concern is for the alleged criminals. No one seems to care this young man was beaten to death like an animal on the street of Washington. The alleged criminals are glorified, supported, and their high priced attorneys are ready and they are prepared to turn upside down the life of Ali should this go to a hearing. They will make Ali look like the most despised criminal in order to secure �freedom� to their clients. Are we going to allow this to happen in the United States of America? No one, I mean no one, including the justice system, should care what Ali�s color, nationality, gender, religion or creed is. Before any thing, Ali is a human being who deserves justice and equal treatment. Please do what you have to do! Do not let this crime slide by. Write, call, protest, scream, do what you have to do. If you are not angry about this, you need to look at yourself in the mirror.
A candle light vigil is organized by Ali�s friends for October 19, 2010 6:00 PM at the corner of 9th and U Street. Please be there.
Thank you for your time.