Syrian activists remember seven years of war

Saturday gathering will honour lives lost while renewing cries for a peaceful, democratic future

Back in March 2011 when thousands of Syrians took over the country’s streets, Toronto’s Bayan Khatib was beaming with pride and hope for her native country.

“I very fondly remember exciting, hopeful, glorious days. Many of us Syrian activists had never felt more alive,” she said of the sweeping movement that championed freedom, peace and democracy. “We used to have thousands of people come to our protests here in Toronto. Everybody was so excited and hopeful for the whole Arab Spring.”

Fast forward seven years later: The dreams of a free and democratic Syria have been shattered by an ongoing civil war that has destroyed cities, killed thousands of people and driven others into exile. No one could have predicted this outcome, Khatib said.

This Saturday evening, she and dozens of other local Syrian activists will gather at Yonge-Dundas Square, singing the chants of the revolution and remembering those who have lost their lives during these last seven years.

The event is about keeping hope alive for a peaceful and democratic Syria, while also calling for the end of violence against civilians, Khatib said.

“The dream of a free Syria continues to live on,” she said. “I don’t have hope in the international community but it is our only hope to force (President Bashar) Assad to stop the killings and step down.”

Human rights groups and humanitarian organizations continue to decry the deteriorating situation, with frequent bombings of hospitals, schools and other public areas where people are seeking refuge. The United Nations even said the violence could amount to crimes against humanity, according to The Associated Press.

In its latest report on the children living inside the country and in refugee camps across the region, World Vision Canada warns the stress of war could have “irreversible impact” on their longterm physical and emotional well-being.

The group’s director of humanitarian and emergency affairs Lindsay Gladding said the world needs to show “real commitment” and support a ceasefire in order to hold successful peace talks between the warring parties.

“We’re not doing enough. We can’t continue to see this as just business as usual,” she said.