Rally For Dignity

On January 28, 2011, one year ago, Egyptian demonstrators asked for their basic human rights. They bravely faced forces of oppression with their bare hands. Hundreds were killed and thousands injured for life. Today, one year later, these forces are still killing and imprisoning thousands of courageous men and women, not only in Egypt, but across the globe. The fight that started on that day inspired millions from Damascus to Oakland and from Cairo to Atlanta. Today we join forces in support of all the people fighting for a better life. Today we stand up together for a free Egypt, a democratic Syria, and fair America. Come join the Egyptian, the Syrian, and the Occupy Atlanta communities in a rally for a better tomorrow.

“After thirty years of human right violations and corruption, Mubarak was removed from office by a popular uprising. Mubarak’s handpicked Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) stepped-in to continue and even escalate the regime crimes. We all witnessed on TV screens the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians, and the unprecedented violence against women. The American government aid of $1.3 billion to SCAF is unacceptable support to undemocratic criminal body. As American taxpayers and as humans we consider this aid a crime by association. We demand a complete and immediate stop of the American military aid to SCAF, and unequivocal condemnation of their actions.” Said Sameh Abdelaziz , with the Atlanta Arab American.

Since March 2011, human rights advocates estimate that more than 7,000 Syrian civilians have been killed, over 100,000 imprisoned, and many more missing. The cruelty of the regime is on display every day. The Syrian American Council (SAC) echoes the demands of the Syrian people, who are calling for the end of the regime and for Assad to step down. SAC also calls upon President Obama administration to:

- Issue a strong condemnation of the ongoing massacres in Syria, specially the escalation in the city of Homs.
- Pressure the UN Security Council to adopt the Arab League plan, send international observers to the besieged cities in Syria, and to refer Assad and others who are complicit in his crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to be tried for crimes against humanity. Said Yasmine Jandali, , SAC-GA director


This past Saturday several different organizations including the Atlanta Arab American Committee,The Syrian American Counsel,Occupy Atlanta, and AFSC marched from Troy Davis Park to the CNN center.

It was a beautiful sight to see so many people from different backgrounds, different nationalities come together with a call for a global revolution of values, calling for a world where everyone's voice is elevated to the same level, a world in which we all have enough resources to thrive.


Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

Free Free Syria!

Today 50-60 folks from the Syrian community, along with some allies, gathered at the CNN center to express solidarity with the people of Syria and to condemn the brutality displayed by the Syrian Government.

Yesterday alone an estimated 200 peaceful protesters were gunned down in Syria. Their crime was demanding basic civil rights, constitutional reform, and the implementation of concrete measures to fight government corruption.


The demands from the Atlanta Syrian community were simple, and are basically echoing what Syrians in Syria are demanding.

· Stop the use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters and children

· Hold accountable the perpetrators of the killing of peaceful demonstrators and bring them to justice

· Allow free media and international human rights organizations to cover the situation

· Restructure the security agencies to protect peaceful protesters

· Release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience

· Recognize political parties and allow for genuine freedom of expression

· Amend the Syrian constitution to limit the presidential term of office and implement free elections

· Introduce clear measures to fight corruption

The push for broad reforms in Syria should be seen as part of the broader movement in the Middle East, "Arab Spring" as some are calling it. Here at American Friends Service Committee we have been in talks with several different Arab communities we've worked with over the past three years about the possibility of bringing everyone together for a panel on the Arab Spring. It could be an opportunity to explore the global implications, as well what it means for folks who have migrated here from the region.

Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee