On August 21st, light a candle for the people of Ghouta
The Syrian conflict, which began with peaceful and popular protests by Syrian civilians calling for change, freedom, and human rights, and which was met with a brutal crackdown by the Assad regime, has extended into its 12th year. Eight years ago, on the early morning of August 21, 2013, the Assad regime released the nerve agent sarin on its own people in the Ghouta district of Damascus, killing more than 1,461 Syrians, many of them children. It is estimated that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons against the Syrian people at least 50 times since the conflict began. On this somber anniversary, we remember and honor all the victims of the Assad regime’s chemical weapons attacks.
On August 21, the 9th anniversary of the Ghouta chemical weapons massacre, the American Coalition for Syria is joining with the White Helmets to honor and memorialize the victims in Ghouta and all victims of chemical attacks around the world and spread a message of solidarity.
Our ask for you:
We are hosting candlelight vigils across the globe, including New York City, The Hague, Amsterdam, Denmark, and Montreal. Please join us at one of the vigils listed below. If your city is not listed, please contact us at [email protected] so that we can help you plan a vigil.
If you cannot attend an in-person vigil, please hold a vigil in your house, and share a picture on social media with the hashtag #KeepTheFlameAlive.
We must remind the world of this horrific and unforgivable crime against humanity committed. We must remind the world that the Syrian crisis is not just a humanitarian crisis, but a political one, and that there is no future for Syria as long as the same criminals remain in power, and as long as justice and accountability are not taken.