Officials estimate 850 protestors have been killed in the recent uprisings in Syria. NOW is the time for people of faith to both pray and act on the behalf of Syria’s people.
As in all things, first, please pray for the people of Syria. Pray for their safety, the issues at stake in the protest, and the role of other nations discussing how to be involved (or whether to be involved) in the tragedy that is taking place.
Second, speak out for civilians under attack in Syria. Specifically, you can sign the petition below at this link to ask government officials to provide humanitarian aid to citizens of Daraa, Syria, one of the most heated areas held hostage during Syria’s current protests.
In case you think adding your signature won’t make a difference, remember recently that I urged readers to join a petition to speed up text donations to Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims? Over 40,000 responded, and CHANGE HAPPENED. Donations reached Japanese service providers and victims promptly, helping meet the needs of many and save lives.
The petition overview and letter text are below.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.” -Proverbs 31:8, NIV
PETITION OVERVIEW
As of April 30th, 2011, the citizens of the city and province of Daraa, Syria have been held hostage by Syrian forces for 6 days. For SIX days the innocent citizens have not had water, electricity, access to food or medicine. They are afraid to leave the house for fearing of being killed by Syrian forces. The same forces are not allowing anybody to enter the city or province. THIS HAS TO STOP. Babies and children and are dying without food.
This petition is for the United States, International Community, UN, Red Crescent to stop stalling and talking and actually forcing the Syrian government to allow AID to enter Daraa.
We need to show those that are sitting that the world will not be silent! We will not allow a massacre to happen in Syria again. The world will no longer be silent. Sign and Pass along to everyone you know!
PETITION LETTER
Send AID to Daraa, Syria
Greetings,
I was thrilled to see the United States and International Community come out and condemn the atrocities being committed against the innocent Syrian population in Syria. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last week, “[The government] must cease the violence and begin a serious political process. We strongly condemn the ongoing violence committed against peaceful protesters by the Syrian government.”
I’m writing to ask you to follow through with your condemnation of the violence by preemptively responding to the potential massacre in Daraa, Syria. Syrian forces have closed off Daraa city and province. They have cut off the citizen’s water, electricity, phone lines, internet, access to food and medicine. As you know, there are many Aid organizations in and around Syria like the UN and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. We need your political clout to force the Syrian government to allow Aid agencies to enter Daraa and care for the wounded and starving children.
Please do not wait until after an even greater massacre happens. It is your duty to stop crimes against humanity before they begin if you can. You can stop the killing of innocent civilians in Daraa now before its too late. Please act.
Join this petition here or at http://www.change.org/petitions/get-aid-sent-to-daraa-syria.
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DILLON BURROUGHS is an author, activist, and co-founder of Activist Faith. Dillon served in Haiti following the epic 2010 earthquake and has investigated modern slavery in the US and internationally. His books include Undefending Christianity, Not in My Town (with Charles J. Powell), and Thirst No More (October). Discover more at ActivistFaith.org.
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