Skip to main content

Solidarity march for Afghanistan held in Guelph

Share
Guelph -

A solidarity rally for Afghanistan took place in Guelph on Friday night.

Community members gathered at city hall for a peaceful protest to demand change from the federal government, call for an end to the Taliban, and show solidarity with those in crisis in the war-torn country.

Organizers of the rally say this week has been heartbreaking, adding the community needs to stand in solidarity with their loved ones in Afghanistan.

"The biggest demand that we have as an Afghan community is for Canada to increase the number of Afghan refugees they are taking in. Realistically, if Canada even tripled that number it wouldn't be enough when we are considering 38 million people are impacted," said a rally organizer. "The second one is for Canada to clarify requirements for Afghan refugees …. (and) for our government to engage in proactive diplomacy and apply international pressures."

Maihan Sarwary says his cousin arrived in Canada four days ago after escaping a terrifying situaiton in Afghanistan.

"Our releatives are there, our families," he said. "If my cousin didn't come here four days ago, yesterday he could have been one of those people who got caught in the suicide bomb and lost his life.

"Our people are dying. Our voices need to be heard. Yes our government is helping, but that's not enough."

Hundreds were gathered and holding up signs that said "we want peace" and "save Afghanistan." They also marched through downtown Guelph before the planned peaceful vigil.

"People are coming up to me as the mayor and saying how can I get ahold of the federal government, I have a brother, I have a family that's over there, their daughter has been kidnapped 15 days ago and they can't find her," said Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.

Attendees also shared poetry and words of despair. They ended the evening with a candle lit vigil as well as a moment of silence for refugees searching for asylum.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49

A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.

Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks

Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.

Stay Connected