Syrian protesters took to the streets of Ottawa Jan. 21 in support of their country’s liberation movement.
Approximately 100 protestors showed up at the Syrian Embassy on Cartier Street at 2 p.m., said Abdullah Al-Haj, co-organizer and member of the Syrian Canadian Council.
They came bearing Syrian flags and chanting “Free, free Syria.”
The demonstrators were calling on the Canadian government to work with their allies to push for a no-fly zone over Syria and to support the anti-government Syrian National Council, said Al-Haj.
Al-Haj also said the Syrian protestors want the Canadian government to announce their support for the Free Syrian army, a resistance group made up of deserted Syrian troops and security forces, and supply them with arms.
“The Free Syrian army is the only thing protecting the Syrians,” he said. “They are fighting with nothing against tanks and guns.”
At 3 p.m., the group walked down Elgin Street to the intersection of Wellington and Metcalfe streets to protest in front of Parliament Hill.
The format of this protest was similar to a protest the Syrian Canadian Council organized last November, just a few days after Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird called on Canadians to leave the country on commercial flights.
Shortly after this protest, Calgary-based Suncor Energy suspended its operations in the country. However, Al-Haj said this action was not enough as the energy giant still employs Syrians and has not completely shut down its operations.
Human Rights Watch has reported evidence of crimes against humanity, including torture and unlawful killings, since uprisings began in February 2011.
More than 5,000 people have died in the 10 months of violence in Syria, according to the United Nations.