DEARBORN — On Saturday, Dec. 8 about 60 people gathered outside of Dearborn City Hall protesting against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. 

The regime has come under heavy scrutiny following the 2011 popular Arab Spring uprisings that have swept parts of the Arab world.  According to reports the numbers of casualties in Syria have reached nearly 40,000 since the uprisings in Syria began.  

A majority of the protesters were Syrians, and the demonstration was organized by Rawia Hussaini, 22, also a Syrian American. Signs were held up reading, “Crimes Against Humanity Happening in Syria,”  “Sorry if our screams disturb your hearing, we will try to die with no sound,” “NO! Imperialism NO! NATO NO! ASSAD” and a banner that read, “Freedom for Syria.” 

There has been much division in the community between Arab Americans who oppose the Syrian regime, and those who are against it. Chants by protesters included, “Free Syria, free Syria,” and “We don’t need NATO, we will get him (Assad) from the middle of his house.