SEATTLE – A  group of Ethiopians protested outside of Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center Sunday as hundreds gathered inside to discuss the country’s future.

Government officials from Ethiopia, including the country’s transportation minister, spoke to a large group of Ethiopians who now call Western Washington home. They discussed the country’s five-year growth and transformation plan, which focuses on building the country’s infrastructure by improving access to electricity and transportation, among other things.

“Ethiopia right now is going through a tremendous transformation,” said Mekonnen Kassa, who helped organize Sunday’s meeting