Peaceful Demonstration in Damascus Turns Violent
Harold's List
Washington DC, October 5, 2005/RPS/ -- A demonstration was called for today by several Arab and Kurdish political organizations in the famous Shahbandar Square in Damascus. According to some eyewitnesses, thousands of Syrians gathered in the square to demand full citizenry rights for what could be up to 250,000 Kurds who since 1962 have been refused any Syrian identity card or citizenship.
The security apparatus used batons and sticks to disperse the demonstrators causing injuries to many of them. The number of injuries was not immediately available but Elaph, the Arabic web site, mentioned that Mustapha Juma'a, a leader in the Kurdish Azadi Party, broke his fingers during the melee and the use of violence by the Syrian security police.
The success of this demonstration, even though violence was used, is a good sign for the civil society in Syria. It shows that civil disobedience is an effective tool and can be used to pressure the regime either to change or the Syrian people will change it.
Washington DC, October 5, 2005/RPS/ -- A demonstration was called for today by several Arab and Kurdish political organizations in the famous Shahbandar Square in Damascus. According to some eyewitnesses, thousands of Syrians gathered in the square to demand full citizenry rights for what could be up to 250,000 Kurds who since 1962 have been refused any Syrian identity card or citizenship.
The security apparatus used batons and sticks to disperse the demonstrators causing injuries to many of them. The number of injuries was not immediately available but Elaph, the Arabic web site, mentioned that Mustapha Juma'a, a leader in the Kurdish Azadi Party, broke his fingers during the melee and the use of violence by the Syrian security police.
The success of this demonstration, even though violence was used, is a good sign for the civil society in Syria. It shows that civil disobedience is an effective tool and can be used to pressure the regime either to change or the Syrian people will change it.
posted by Marko at 10/06/2005 12:05:00 AM
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