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| Syrian Dissidents Protest With Red Paint to Commemorate Massacre's 30th Anniversary |
| 2012-02-02 |
| Syrian security forces fanned out in Hama on Thursday as protesters splashed red paint symbolizing blood in the streets to mark the 30th anniversary of a notorious massacre carried out by President Bashar al-Assad's father and predecessor. The Hama massacre of 1982, which leveled entire neighborhoods and killed thousands of people, has become a rallying cry for the Syrian uprising that began nearly 11 months ago in the hopes of ending four decades of the Assad family rule. Hundreds of troops and security forces were in Hama on Thursday, closing off public squares and setting up checkpoints. "There is a checkpoint every 100 meters," said Ahmed Jimejmi, a Hama resident. Activists painted two streets in Hama red to symbolize blood, and threw red dye in the waters of Hama's famous and ancient water wheels. Graffiti on the walls read: "Hafez died, and Hama didn't. Bashar will die, and Hama won't." Mr. Assad's father ordered the scorched-earth assault on Hama 30 years ago to put down an uprising against his rule. Amnesty International has claimed that 10,000-25,000 were killed, though conflicting figures exist and the Syrian government has never made an official estimate. For the next two decades, until his death, Hafez Assad ruled uncontested and the massacre was seared into the minds of Syrians. Now, as the country faces a far larger revolt against Bashar Assad, the U.N. estimates more than 5,400 people have been killed in the government crackdown. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #2 The problem with hereditary rule. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2012-02-02 14:08 |
| #1 For the next two decades, until his death, Hafez Assad ruled uncontested and the massacre was seared into the minds of Syrians Who sez violence never accomplished anything? /ironic tone (sorta) |
| Posted by: Pappy 2012-02-02 13:51 |