Father Paolo Dall'Oglio Press Conference by the UN

Reverend Paolo Dall'Oglio, an Italian Jesuit Priest who spent 30 years in Syria as a champion of interfaith dialogue spoke in NYC across the street from United Nations on Monday August 6th, about the realities on the ground in Syria, the role of Christians and other minorities groups, and the expectations of a post-Assad future in Syria. 

Moderated by Sarab Al-Jijakli (@sarabny) the press conference was sponsored by the National Alliance for Syria, Syrian Expatriates Organization and Syrian Americans for Democracy.

For more perspective from Father Paolo, please also read his statement from NYC, on the occasion of his visit to the United Nations.

6 Months into the revolution

6 months into the revolution in Syria, we stand with our brothers & sisters who have shown tremendous courage, resilience & strength in the face of shocking brutality.

Regardless of our location, background or connections we will do everything in our reach to support the revolutions goals of toppling this brutal regime. 

We will continue to:

• Provide to the Syrian diasporas a national framework for collective action

• Connect all individuals, organizations and networks working towards a free and democratic Syria

• Act as a mouthpiece for the democratic aspirations of those within Syria

Through our work, we will focus on achieving these 3 goals:

• Mobilizing the Community
• Raising awareness
• Creating Influence

Get involved as each of you have a role to play. Visit http://www.allianceforsyria.org/Ways_to_Get_Involved.html

There is only one way forward - the revolution must & will succeed.

Long live a free Syria!

Congressional Outreach Campaign Launching Across US

The US has not clearly demonstrated a clear strategy aimed at supporting the aspirations of the Syrian people. It is time to let them know that this is unacceptable. Their silence is killing us.

There have been many adhoc outreach efforts aimed at raising awareness among congressional reps (in the Senate & House) as to the events unfolding in Syria. There has not been however, a national campaign aimed at mobilizing the Syrian-American community and allies across the nation to push a consistent narrative with them. 

The result of which has led to a tops-down, fragmented engagement with elected officials, that has enabled neo-conservatives and regime apologists to drive the narrative of what the US role should be in support for the revolution.

Therefore, while congressmen/ women are back in their home states for the month of August we are launching a national effort to ensure all of them receive policy points on how US should engage Syria.

Every single one of you has a role to play in this campaign! Please see below for immediate steps:

1. Our Policy on what the US role should be: Please download our Policy Brief to familiarize yourself with the 5 key points (also points can be found here)
2. Call your elected rep and let them know that you, as a concerned citizen, want the US to take a role in support of the revolution.
   • Note: Every elected rep will be receiving this same packet from us over the next few days (by email/ mail). Make sure to reiterate the 5 points in the policy paper to them
3. Meet with your representative. All elected officials will be back in their home states during the month of August - make sure you meet with them to educate them on whats happening in Syria. Here is a guide on how to setup these meetings. Please also send us an email so we can connect you with others in your district to join you in these meetings
4. Share this with EVERYONE! We need to ensure that EVERY elected rep hears from all of us, and that it CRYSTAL CLEAR to them what the US role should be

Let us reclaim our narrative from those who wish to use the revolution for their own purposes. No more silence. The revolution must, and will succeed.