To my Syrians and Fellow Arabs...A call to Action in Solidarity

"The minarets of the mosques are appealing for help. The security forces are entering houses. There is a curfew and they fire on those who leave their homes. They even shot at water tanks on roofs to deprive people of water." witness in Dera'a

For those of you who never thought the level of brutality would reach these heights - this is only the beginning. This is the only way the regime knows how to react; Have we forgotten Hama already? Where 38,0000 Syrians were slaughtered by Assad (the father)...

The lesson of Hama for the regime has been if you kill enough people, there would be no one left to oppose you; those left alive will be silent and you would be guaranteed a few decades of rule.  As for the Syrian people, the lesson was that the regime would stop at nothing to ensure its survival.

To my fellow Syrians - hopefully the true nature of the regime is clear to you now. 

Yes, you are all scared; from chaos, from the security apparatus, from sectarian strife, from the unknown. Please know that the only way forward is for the the people to unite - as one, regardless of denomination, background, connection to the regime - and call for an end of the slaughter. 

There is no turning back and our nation will become free - the only question is whether you will stand on the side of the Syrian people, or the side of the brutal dictatorship.

To my fellow Arabs - please stand with the Syrian people who for so long have supported all your struggles and causes. This is their time of need, and too many cannot speak publicly for fear of brutal reprisals towards family and friends (as we are seeing now). You have the opportunity to give a voice to the voiceless - please take this responsibility seriously as lives depend on it.  

If you have questions, or want more clarity on what is happening in Syria please see my previous post: http://samisooria.blogspot.com/2011/04/understanding-syria-background-and.html

To all - Please share the news and information throughout your social media networks - Facebook statuses, twitter etc. Please contact your media outlets and demand Syrian coverage and an end to the slaughter. Please hold public demonstrations and vigils for the people who are dying. We are counting on you.

Also, here are what the people asking for...The following must be demanded:

1. Stop the killing now – there is no excuse for shooting unarmed protestors. Period.
2. Stop the arrest campaign unleashed since March and grossly intensified today. Release all political prisoners (some 15,000 of them). No-one should be in prison merely for their ideas and opposition to the regime
3. Dismantle the illegal state security courts which allow for unjustified detentions and abuse
4. Remove the ‘mokhabarat’ & military from the cities, and allow regular police to maintain order
5. Compensate the families of those murdered
6. Issue decrees guaranteeing the right for public protest and discourse
7. Amend the constitution to accommodate multi-party leadership (outside of the Ba’ath)
8. Allow outside observers and foreign media to enter the country

This is just the beginning – a springboard to enable true reform and peoples representation in the nation. To avoid and delay this will merely create a deeper divide among Syrians and polarize the nation. 

 

In solidarity with the people of Syria.