Syrian Americans, Anti-War Activists Say, “Hands Off Syria!”

October 13th Global rally, “Hands off Syria”, will be held  Sunday, October 13th, 2013 at 3:00 P.M., Federal Plaza, 50 W. Adams, in Chicago and in other countries

As part of an international day of protest against the war on Syria, a rally will be held in Federal Plaza under the slogan, “Hands Off Syria.”

The event is taking place in many countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherland, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Sweden, Syria, United Kingdom, USA, and Venezuela.

The rally in Chicago and other states was initiated by the Syrian American Forum, and endorsed by: Anti-War Committee – Chicago; ANSWER Coalition – Chicago; Gay Liberation Network; U.S. Palestinian Community Network – Chicago; and March 19 Anti-War Coalition.

Dr. Matar Matar of the Syrian American Forum said, “At the time while we are struggling to provide health care for the American people, the Obama administration is still willing to send arms to Syrian rebels, fueling the war in Syria.”

Videos recently published on YouTube show insurgents in Syria with portable anti-aircraft missiles and anti-tank missiles, supplied by the Gulf States, Turkey, and some NATO countries. According to Dr. Matar, “We all know that no deal like that will pass without a green light from the U.S., especially when we see stinger missiles in the hands of these Jihadists.”

On top of the over 100,000 killed in Syria to date, the war is destroying the economy, infrastructure, and the unity of Syria. Dr. Matar continued, “We want to ask the Obama administration to work in the direction of peace, not fueling war. Mr. Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize for ending the war in Iraq. By supporting insurgents in Syria he is losing his credibility as a peace achiever.”

“The positive and moral role for the United Sates is to encourage, along with other major powers, the end of war and the start of dialogue. “

Finally, Dr. Matar said, “Syrian people are suffering; they are tired of this bloody war.”