Daraya CC || Jan 1st. 2012 ||
The City of Daraya Welcomes the New Year with Stepped-up Nonviolent Struggle

Despite the long and exhausting siege, and the arrest and detention of activists at checkpoints that divide it, the men, women, and children of Daraya did not delay in receiving the Arab League observers as soon as news of their arrival was available, on the first day of the New Year, 2012.

The citizens of Daraya came out in large numbers in a peaceful, defiant demonstration to let the whole world know that the city continues to serve as an example and symbol of peaceful protest and civil resistance that will never surrender. The crowds of demonstrators were met with tear gas, live ammunition, brutal attacks, and increased viciousness after the heroes of Daraya raised the Independence Flag as they declared that their will remains steadfast. Daraya experienced a martyr and many others wounded…yet no one came to witness these events!

Daraya did not break, and will not back down. The city calls on the Arab League observers to fulfill their duties and restore their credibility, which was shaken after their absence today in the town squares. The Arab League observers’ absence provided an opportunity for the tyrannical regime’s security forces to commit murder and kidnap a wounded man - activist Mohamed Anwar Al-Dabbas – who was under anesthesia in his hospital bed.

Daraya, by God’s honor, will continue in its struggle and will pay its respects to the martyrs when they are laid at their resting place tomorrow. Daraya calls on the Arab League observers to attend the funeral procession and burial of its martyrs. We hope for their presence and testimony, as dictated first by their conscience, and second, by their sworn duty.

The city of Daraya also demands the return of the above-named kidnapped, whose safety remains the responsibility of the regime. Daraya calls for the release of all persons detained today and in the previous months.

May our martyrs have eternal peace, may our wounded be healed, and may our detainees be freed.

Long live Syria and its people