Syria Support Movement solidarity with the Syrian people
We are proud to report that the Syria Solidarity Movement was able to sponsor 22 delegates from Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, France, South Africa, Palestine, Lebanon, the US, Australia, and the UK to attend an international trade union solidarity conference in Damascus, Syria, September 8-9, 2019. These included Ajamu Baraka, Max Blumenthal, Tim Anderson, Col. Alain Corvez, Mpho Masemola, Amal Wahdan and Rick Sterling, among others.
The conference was convened by the Syrian General Federation of Trade Unions with the co-sponsorship of the World Federation of Trade Unions. More than 200 delegates from 42 countries attended. For many in the SSM delegation, it was their first visit to Syria, where they had the opportunity to see and hear firsthand the hardships faced by Syrian workers, thousands of whom have been killed and many more disabled by forces sponsored by the US, NATO Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Turkey. Our Syrian hosts were very appreciative of the calls for an end to illegal military intervention in Syria and to the cruel economic sanctions creating unnecessary poverty and misery to a population that has already sacrificed so much to preserve their sovereignty and independence.
Delegates Ajamu Baraka and Alain Corvez spoke eloquently of the devastating effects of the war and the sanctions upon the population affected in Syria as well as the unnecessary price by the citizens in the countries sponsoring the violence. Similarly, former liberation fighter and Robben Island political prisoner Mpho Masemola spoke of the solidarity between South African and Syrian struggles, as did Fra Hughes about Irish trade unionist and national solidarity. Reporters Max Blumenthal, Anya Parampil, Rania Khalek, Rick Sterling and others have published important accounts of their experiences.
One important highlight of the conference was a visit to the ancient Christian town and pilgrimage center of Ma’aloula that was overrun by al-Qaeda affiliates and suffered severe damage to national treasures as well as tragic loss of life. Much has been miraculously restored in spite of the sanctions, but some parts remain heavily damaged, including a large tourist hotel.
A second and unscheduled highlight was a reception by President Bashar al-Assad at the presidential palace, which is similar in function to the US White House. The president met briefly with every delegate who attended, then delivered an unrehearsed address about the status and importance of workers in Syria (where the constitution requires half the parliament to be composed of workers), the protection of workers’ rights and the importance of workers’ contributions to the functioning of the society. He also expressed his appreciation for the solidarity of the delegates at the conference, and then took a number of questions from the audience. Everyone present had a brief opportunity to meet individually with the president.
Thanks mainly to the tireless efforts of Syria Solidarity Movement steering committee member Issa al-Chaer we were able to also initiate an important humanitarian aid project in Syria with an initial donation of US$2000. This is direct aid, not through any other agency, but through Syrian volunteers working on the ground. Issa made the key connection with Yvette Tariyeh Shamier, an extraordinary Syrian and Dutch national who manages a network of volunteers. She is now the coordinator of our humanitarian aid in Syria. Issa, Rick Sterling and Paul Larudee of SSM visited the home in Homs of a family with five children, two of whom are severely handicapped. Until recently, they had no working refrigerator or stove, but Yvette found the funds to purchase these for them, as well as a wheelchair that permits the two handicapped brothers to regularly visit the neighborhood outside their home for the first time in their lives. SSM funds will permit the construction of toilet and bath facilities that until now have been minimal in the extreme in their home.
Issa, Rick and Paul also visited the Homs home of a civilian ambulance driver who was paralyzed in most of his body while he and two paramedics were trying to rescue two wounded soldiers in the town of Qusayr. He was the only survivor of an attack on this civilian medical team by fighters who made the ambulance and its personnel their sole military objective. SSM funds are providing a rechargeable battery for his otherwise inoperable wheelchair as well as physiotherapy for a year.
Syrian television covered both visits in Homs in order to let Syrians know that even countries that are the source so much of their suffering have people who want to show their solidarity in meaningful ways.
After the delegation returned from Syria, SSM funds were used to provide an urgent eye operation for a handicapped young woman who would otherwise have completely lost her sight in a very short space of time. We will be sending updates and providing fuller coverage with photos and video of our new humanitarian aid projects.
All in all, the delegates agreed that this was a very productive visit and a very productive show of solidarity by all the participants. Our participation was much appreciated and resulted in important networking, not only with our Syrian brothers and sisters but with like minded delegations from all over the world.
We would, however, like to bring your attention to the situation of our brother and fellow delegate Donald Lafleur, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the largest union in Canada, with more than 3.2 million members. Despite the fact that he came as a guest to learn more about and make contacts among Syrian and other trade unions, and not representing anyone but himself, CLC President Hassan Youssef suspended him from his duties when he returned. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, the largest member within the CLC, has since totally endorsed him, and we believe that the rest of the unions will, too. In the meantime, however, we encourage you to add your name to the following petition and to share it as widely as possible:
Sign the Petition: Restore Donald Lafleur to his full duties as as CLC Executive Vice-President!
Many thanks for all your support.
The Syria Solidarity Movement
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http://www.syriasolidaritymovement.org/
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http://www.syriasolidaritymovement.org/donate-2/
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