DEARBORN — Americans are continuing to speak out against U.S. intervention in Syria, by organizing demonstrations around the country.

 On Sunday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. a rally themed, “No War with Syria” is taking place in Detroit at Hart Plaza. Already hundreds are expected to attend.

At 9 p.m. on that same day, buses are scheduled to leave metro Detroit for Washington D.C., where people also hope to send a strong message, urging the government to not get involved in the Syrian crisis. 

 The trip to D.C. is free, and people planning to go will meet at Dearborn Fresh market here at 8 p.m. to leave. Those who attend the peaceful demonstration, will return to Detroit Monday night.

Protesters condemn U.S. War on Syria during Pres. Barack Obama’s speech Aug. 28, 2013. PHOTO: Voice of Detroit.

Khalil Thabet, a local Syrian American, who has family in Syria, was frantic Wednesday over the phone, as he expressed concern for his relatives back home, who live in  the Christian village of Maaloula that was attacked by the rebels. 

He tried repeatedly to reach them, but didn’t have any luck. “No one has information; there’s no power, or phone,” he said.

Thabet is participating in the D.C. rally and supports President Bashar Al Assad’s regime, over the opposition. “We believe the regime is with the people,” Thabet said.

Taghird Atat of Dearborn Heights also supports Assad’s regime over the rebels. The opposition in Syria, which the United States is helping arm, has been accused of horrendous crimes, such as taking out a soldier’s heart and eating it, kidnapping bishops and launching a chemical attack. The U.S. government has been heavily criticized for not acknowledging a report from a U.N. official that the opposition used sarin nerve gas. 

Half of Atat’s family is living in Syria. She says the rebels have killed eight of her family members. “Who will take Bashar Al Assad’s place? The problem is, no one is better.  These people are going to handle my country?  No.  Never,” she said.

Other Syrian Americans have also blamed Assad’s regime for  launching attacks that claimed the lives of their loved ones. 

Atat says family members have told her that people in Syria are afraid to speak out against the opposition, in fear of retaliation. “The U.S. doesn’t know who is fighting Syria,” she said.

Atat says that people from outside of the Arab American community plan on demonstrating in D.C. as well.  “We all just want to stop the war,” she said.

She says relatives have told her that most of the rebels who are fighting for change in Syria are actually not Syrians and come from other countries. “They are not from Syria,” she said.

Obama won over Arab Americans during the 2012 election. Atat voted for him and says now that she’s very disappointed. “Every day, I have to call Syria five times,” she said.