Syrian Canadians march for freedom

"It's a cause for everyone who seeks freedom and equality,” said one of the Occupy Ottawa participants who took part in the march.

Protesters took over the street holding signs that read “stop the killing” and shouting anti-Assad and anti-government slogans in both English and Arabic. Young children stood alongside parents and friends, proudly waving the pre-Baath party Syrian flag, or the “freedom flag” as it is now called.

“The best moment was when the buses arrived (from Toronto and Montreal) and everyone was screaming, chanting and calling for freedom. Balloons with the words "Free Syria" were released in the air during the rally and a huge (20m x 5m) flag was carried by the protesters”.The energy of the people was amazingly fantastic!” said Yaman Marwah, an organizer of the event.

“The least we are doing by protesting here in Canada is getting people aware of what's happening in Syria. This awareness will bear its fruits in the future.  In addition, it gives solidarity to protesters in Syria when they see people all over the world joining them in their calls for justice and freedom,” Mr. Marwah added.

Nov. 19 marked the Arab League's deadline for the Syrian government to stop its lethal crackdown on protesters. Activists say at least 24 Syrian protesters were killed on that day alone. According to the United Nations, more than 3,500 people have died in Syria's repression of the pro-democracy uprising since March. However, inside sources say these numbers are modest and the actual numbers are likely over 10,000s killed, many of whom are children, women, and elderly people.

Tens of thousands of others have been imprisoned, injured, tortured or have gone missing within Syria. A further 10,000 have been displaced and are living as refugees in neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Lebanon.

The events in Syria have left many Syrian Canadians worried about loved ones still under the Assad regime. Many are fearful of losing family members and at times are completely disconnected from them due to the Syrian government periodically cutting off all communications from troubled areas. They also fear for the general welfare of the people of Syria since many have been unemployed for months or widowed or orphaned, making it even more difficult for them to obtain essential needs given the regime's sanctions on its citizens.  In the troubled areas, long line-ups are frequently observed as people queue to buy gas and fuel to cook and to heat their homes now that winter has arrived. In order to obtain essential food items, sold at ridiculously high prices, they often put their lives at risk.

Many fear the repeat of massacres such as those committed in Hama in the early 1980's by the Syrian Army acting under the orders of Hafez Al-Assad (father of the current president) and the supervision of Rifaat Al-Assad, the president's younger brother. The numbers of people slaughtered then are reported to be at least 40,000 and may be as high as 72,000. These massacres went unpunished and were hardly covered by the media which remains under tight government control.

What makes things different today is the fact that people are a lot more connected and the average person is fortunate to have the technology and the tools needed to get the message to the outside world despite a ban preventing foreign journalists from reporting from Syria.   Protesters are using ordinary cell phone cameras to capture images and videos and transmit them via satellite phones, internet and other means. There are over 25,000 videos on YouTube and other social media websites documenting the crimes of the brutal Baath regime.

At the Ottawa march, spokespeople from locally-based Syrian, Libyan, Yemeni and Islamic organizations urged protesters to continue their demands for an end to President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

Petitions were signed and delivered to Mr. Harper requesting to have the current Syrian Ambassador to Canada expelled and to have the Canadian Government officially recognize the Syrian National Council as the only legitimate representative body of Syria. Both petitions were signed by over 1000 people.

Prayers for a free Syria, as well as donations to the needy Syrians in Syria and in refugee camps, are all encouraged.  May Allah help the families of the martyrs, free the prisoners, and bring peace to the region.