Oppressors never admit the public indignation towards them. Instead, they present theatrical shows to deceive observers that the public really adores them. Asrate Kassa, the Governor General of Eritrea during Haile Sellassie’s rule, designed one such comic display of fake support. Ras Asrate Kassa was a devious man. He called one demonstration to demand the expulsion of Arabs; the demand was echoed up and down the country. Less than a week later he suggested to those whose expulsion has been sought that they, in turn, demonstrate their loyalty, an issue that in the minds of those who knew anything, was never in doubt.
During late sixties, as ELF activities intensified, the Ethiopian government was trying to galvanize public support by accusing some of the Arab countries of financing 'terrorist' campaigns against Ethiopia. The government's propaganda machine was set to full volume in order to whip up public support against the 'wenbedie' (bandits) and their collaborators (the Arabs). “Areb Yweta “ was the theme of the demonstration calling for the deportation of Arabs from Eritrea because the Arabs supported the Eritrean cause.
According to British archives, on 26 March 1969, Ras Asrate Kassa called the leaders of the Arab community to the palace to discuss the 'Arab involvement in Ethiopian affairs'. In mid-March of 1969, several demonstrations where staged by the government in some major cities in Ethiopia to kick the Arabs out of the country. On 22 March 1969 a similar a twist-arm demonstration was held in Asmara, which was attended, by thousands of Eritreans - civil servants, teachers, students, and various institutions. Shops were closed, and people in the streets were shepherded to town center by the military to take part in the “Areb Yewta”, 'Arabs-out' parade.
Ras Asrate Kassa welcomed the leaders of the Arab community warmly, enquiring if they had been molested at all as a result of demonstration in Asmara. He told them that he had given specific instructions for their protection. They thanked him for his “kindness”. He then asked whether they thought they, themselves, should stage a demonstration to assure the Government of their non-complicity, and, as far as they were aware, that of their native Governments, in Arab activities against Ethiopia, at the same time condemning by their demonstration the "Syrian" sabotage of the Ethiopian Air Lines aircraft by ELF combatants.
The Arab community accepted this suggestion and agreed to hold a demonstration on Friday the 28th of March at 9am. They assured Ras Asrate Kassa of their gratitude for the freedom and protections offered them by the Ethiopian Government and were happy, by a demonstration, to show their loyalty to that Government. The Governor General offered to put at their disposal placards, flags and lorries, the latter to bring "spontaneous" demonstrators from as far as Tessenei. The Arabs, however, chose to mount their demonstration at their own expense.
Every security precaution was made by the police and security staff throughout the demonstration.
