X.
August 22, 2016 6:46 AM   Subscribe

When he crossed the marathon finish line as a silver medalist, in 2 hours, 9 minutes and 54 seconds, earning a silver medal, Feyisa Lilesa put his hands above his head in an "X." He later explained that the gesture was meant to demonstrate his solidarity with his Oromo people in Ethiopia. "Amnesty International reports that at least 97 Oromo were killed in peaceful anti-government protests earlier this month. This is the latest in a string of protests that Human Rights Watch estimates have resulted in over 400 deaths in all. In addition to the killings, many more have been arrested and detained by the government."
posted by roomthreeseventeen (7 comments total) 26 users marked this as a favorite
 
Thank you for this post. I wondered what that gesture was when I watched Lilesa arrive at the finish line, but then forgot to look it up.
posted by Kattullus at 6:55 AM on August 22, 2016


And yet the Oromo are by far the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. I am so ignorant of the history here.
posted by y2karl at 6:57 AM on August 22, 2016


I'm not into sports at all, but I still love and follow the Olympics just for this reason; they bring stories like this to mainstream global attention and make it at least a little harder for the world to ignore them.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:58 AM on August 22, 2016 [2 favorites]


In my fantasy life, I would do something like this after winning my gold medal. Protesting some marginalised group, using the Olympics as a podium to promote true peace and love. Then I wake up safe in my real world.

This man is taking real risks. His knew his life would now be in danger. And yet he shows so much bravery.

His struggle is real. And so is that of his family and friends. And yet in my comfortable living room, I had never heard of his people until today.

Ironic in a way - the Olympics can be used a pedestal to protest injustices, and yet building the Olympics likely involved oppressing the poor of Rio.

Godspeed, Mr. Lilesa
posted by bitteroldman at 7:51 AM on August 22, 2016 [9 favorites]


Thanks for this; I was aware of the Oromo, but had no idea this was going on. What a fucked-up world we live in.
posted by languagehat at 8:06 AM on August 22, 2016


Lilesa acknowledges that he may never be able to return to his home country without being imprisoned or killed.
posted by erst at 8:40 AM on August 22, 2016 [5 favorites]


There are a large number of Oromo in Minnesota, and a group marched in protest of the Ethopian government's actions in Minneapolis last week.

I hadn't heard of the Oromo people or their plight until I heard the demonstration from my office window and googled to find out what was going on.
posted by sparklemotion at 9:23 AM on August 22, 2016 [1 favorite]


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