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Ethiopian runner who made protest gesture in Rio wants to stay in U.S.

Rio Olympic marathon silver medal winner Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia arrives at a news conference in Washington, U.S., September 13, 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron

An Ethiopian marathon runner who made a protest gesture against government violence versus members of his tribe at last month's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that he wants to stay in the United States.

Feyisa Lilesa held his arms over his head, wrists crossed, as he finished second in the Olympic marathon, a gesture that he described as being a sign of support for members of his Oromo tribe who have been protesting government plans to reallocate farmland. The protests have been met with violent police action, sparking the country's worst unrest in more than a decade.

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