Author: lvvshba

The Self-Determination Movement! – Center in the USA honored the three Albanian-American heroes Yll, Agron, and Mehmet Bytyqi. Our Center’s Chairman Edmond Pruth, along with the parents of the Bytyqi brothers, Ahmet and Behrije Bytyqi, paid tribute to the graves of Kosovo war heroes. The visit to the graves of our Albanian-American heroes was part of organizing the Epic of the KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) by the Atlantic Battalion. The three Bytyqi brothers were taken by the Serbian Police at the neutral border line between Kosovo and Serbia under the accusation of allegedly crossing the border illegally, and were sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment. After an appeal, they were released, only to be mysteriously kidnapped by the Serbian state, where their bodies were found in a mass grave. To this day, Serbia has not investigated the case, even though a court process in 2013 found two Serbs as accomplices to their murder, but the charges were dismissed. We believe that the international community, led by the USA, should do more to uncover the murder of the three Albanian-Americans within the territory of Serbia.

The Self-Determination Movement! in the USA, on the occasion of March 8th – International Women’s Day, organized a meeting with women and girls in Brooklyn, New York. During a luncheon, the women of the Self-Determination Movement! along with new members and supporters exchanged ideas and goals to defend women and empower them in all aspects of life, both in the USA and in the homeland. Initiator and member of the leadership of the Self-Determination Movement! in the USA, Mrs. Arife Sheholli, emphasized the need for unity among women and girls in a cohesive organization where, together with other organizations of the Albanian community in the USA, they engage in various projects for the benefit of Albanian families’ daily lives in the USA, as well as for commitments and volunteerism in various initiatives for the benefit of the homeland. Also participating in the meeting was another member of the leadership, Ms. Filiza Zejneli, who stated that just as the commitment of Albanian women with generations in the homeland and diaspora has not been lacking, it will continue with voluntary work. The commitments of Albanian women and girls in the USA are numerous, as they are employed in various fields and also share responsibilities with their spouses for family care. Despite their significant obligations in their personal lives, women and girls express an unwavering willingness to be leading figures towards their commitment to Albanians here in the USA and in the homeland. It is worth noting that during the month of March, in the organization “Women for Self-Determination”, under the slogan “March brings spring – Women bring equality”, dozens of Albanian women and girls from all regions have joined the Self-Determination Movement! in the USA. If you wish to become a member of the Self-Determination Movement!, please write to the email address kryesia@vetevendosje.us or call the phone number (646) 450-2211.

The Self-Determination Movement – Center in the USA organized the first memorial small football tournament in honor of activist Astrit Dehari. The tournament, intended to be traditional, was held today (November 5, 2023) in the state of Connecticut. After the matches of the participating teams, the final was held between the teams Barnwood and Red & Black. The winners were the Barnwood team, who also received the “Astrit Dehari” Golden Cup. All participants of the teams and contributors to this tournament were honored with the “Astrit Dehari” gold medal. The Self-Determination Movement – Center in the USA thanks the teams: Soho, Dolce, Red & Black, Barnwood, and Dukagjini, as well as the sponsor Soho Pizza. Next year, the “Astrit Dehari” Memorial Tournament will be held throughout the USA.

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, organized by the Self-Determination Movement Center in the USA, a meeting with the Albanian community was held. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, and the Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, attended the meeting. A particular focus was on the economic sphere and investments of the diaspora in initiatives for production in Kosovo. American entrepreneurs also participated in the meeting, showing interest in the important information presented by Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi and Minister Murati. Considering the importance of our community’s meetings with officials from the legislative and executive branches of Kosovo, the Self-Determination Movement Center in the USA will continue with similar organizations.

Senator Bob Menendez held the 12th annual meeting known in the USA as Women’s History Month. The Leadership of the Self-Determination Movement – Center in the USA was a special guest at this important event in the state of New Jersey. Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine had the opportunity to meet with the Leadership consisting of Edi Pruthi – Chairman, Mimoza Hoti-Prestreshi – Vice Chairman, Fadil Bajraliu – Secretary, Tim S Jaha – Committees Coordinator, Arife Sheholli – Board Member, as well as members and activists of the Self-Determination Movement in the USA. Also present at this event were former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, and Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese. The Self-Determination Movement has also dedicated the month of March as Women’s Month, and speakers at Montclair University shared with the audience common goals for fuller and equal representation of women in all spheres of life. Hillary Clinton in her speech said, “There is still much work to be done to achieve higher representation of women in public institutions, including the White House.” Clinton reiterated the issue of abortion as an exclusive right of women and not of politicians or different policies. Senator Menendez recognized pioneering and innovative women in New Jersey. Bob Menendez, who is also Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has openly expressed support for Kosovo, considering it as a matter of particular interest to American foreign policy. Senator Menendez has a strong connection with the Kosovo community in the USA, and with the invitation made, he considers the Self-Determination Movement in the USA to be very special and important.

The Self-Determination Movement Center in the USA held a commemorative meeting in New York on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the February 10th demonstration. During this meeting, the documentary of February 10th was screened, which depicts the event of our people in pursuit of freedom and self-determination, opposing the Ahtisaari Package which brought injustice but not independence to the country, the peaceful march with demands, and the killing of Mon Balaj and Arben Xheladini among dozens of others wounded that day where violence was unnecessary and avoidable by UNMIK police. The Chairman of the LVV Center in the USA, Edi Pruthi, spoke in more detail about the parts of this event presented in the documentary, recalling the consistency of the Self-Determination Movement in opposing Serbia’s plans. Since 2007, we have warned of the risk of forming the association of majority Serbian municipalities. We have consistently opposed it, and we will never accept the formation of such a “Zajednica,” he emphasized. The LVV Center in the USA continues its work for the unity and strengthening of the Kosovar diaspora in the USA. A strong center in the USA is a center that helps our country and state.