Photos: A cry of hope for Syria on a cold Seattle night

Isra Ayesh leads the March for Aleppo through Pike Market in downtown Seattle on Friday, December 16th. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)
Isra Ayesh leads the March for Aleppo through Pike Market in downtown Seattle on Friday, December 16th. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)

About 200 people gathered in Victor Steinbrueck Park in downtown Seattle last night to show support for those affected by the war in Aleppo, Syria.

Many raised signs and echoed chants denouncing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while speakers told stories of the horrors Syrian people face at the hands of their own government. In the cold early evening, the group of protestors marched peacefully through Pike Place Market and along sidewalks of downtown Seattle, before looping back to the park.

Isra Ayesh, Organizing Director at Americans for Refugees & Immigrants says she hopes to keep the momentum moving forward.

“I think it’s important that everyone who attended realizes that protesting once won’t free Syria,” Ayesh, who helped organize the march, said. “I’m sad that it had to reach this catastrophic point to get people motivated to come out, but nonetheless, people are starting to wake up.” Ayesh said.

Another demonstration is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Sunday Dec. 17 at Westlake Park.

Protestors gathered in Victor Steinbrueck park next to Pike Place Market and listened to speakers before marching through downtown Seattle. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)
Protestors gathered in Victor Steinbrueck park next to Pike Place Market and listened to speakers before marching through downtown Seattle. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
Malak Shalabi, 19, of Mill Creek, describes the horrors in Syria to the crowd of protestors. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)
Malak Shalabi, 19, of Mill Creek, describes the horrors in Syria to the crowd of protestors. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
Michael Korchonnoff (center), 30, and Aram Shabanian, 25, both of Olympia hold signs and a flag of the Syrian National Coalition over the Alaskan Way Viaduct. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)
Michael Korchonnoff (center), 30, and Aram Shabanian, 25, both of Olympia hold signs and a flag of the Syrian National Coalition over the Alaskan Way Viaduct. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
(Photo by Ramon Dompor)
About 200 people marched through downtown Seattle to bring awareness to events in Syria on Friday evening. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)
About 200 people marched through downtown Seattle to bring awareness to events in Syria on Friday evening. (Photo by Ramon Dompor)

Want to help refugees fleeing the war in Syria, but not sure where to start? We’ve put together some tips here.