The Assad regime’s open genocidal policies against its own people are enviable to people on the far right. For people whose politics come from identification with the state, this completely unrestrained killing is the highest form of freedom.
Whether in Syria or in the diaspora, a big part of the problem is that Syrian voices are just not listened to. They know best what’s happening in their country. We could learn from their experience and support them.
Something changed in 2011, and despite the massive repression that protest movements have faced, something has changed within people. That’s going to have a massive impact on the future. There’s going to be a lot of change happening in the region, and we’re only at the start of that process.
If the relatively small number of refugees can be used today as an excuse for restricting freedom of movement, building walls and impenetrable borders, increasing the powers of the security state, and fomenting divisions based on race, religion, or national origin, what will tomorrow bring when the effects of climate change and ecological collapse cause vast movements of people around the globe?
For many Syrians there can be no stability, much less peace, while those responsible for the country’s destruction remain in power.
“A lot of the people who picked up weapons knew it was a mistake. Violence alienates certain key constituencies who the revolution needs to win over. It scares the West, and makes them more likely to stick with Assad—which is why he provoked it.”
Ich möchte AnarchistInnen dazu ermutigen sich mit den SyrierInnen zu beschäftigen und jene zu unterstützen, die immer noch in Komitees und Räten arbeiten.
By Leila Al Shami (visit her excellent blog) I was asked for an overview on Syria for a meeting of anarchists in Tunis which unfortunately I couldn’t attend. This is a slightly edited version. In 2011, the Syrian people, as part of a transnational uprising sweeping the region, rose up in huge numbers to demand …
Four Years Out: Thoughts on the Syrian Revolution Read More »
The starting point for international solidarity should center around two questions. Firstly, is there a popular uprising? And secondly are there people on the ground or elements within that uprising whose vision I share?
At least 16,000 people have been arrested, more than 2,500 killed and 17,000 wounded in the government crackdown since the ousting of Morsi. Down with the fascist military regime! Freedom for all the detainees!
