Chicago's Syrian American community erupted in jubilation this past Sunday at Congress Plaza, the heart of the Loop, as they marked the fall of Syria's long-standing Assad regime. Hundreds gathered to celebrate an occasion many had doubted they'd witness in their lifetimes, following news that dictator Bashar Assad had fled to Russia amid a triumphant rebel takeover in Damascus. According to a Chicago Sun-Times report, large three-star Syrian flags, a symbol of the revolution and a pre-Assad Syria dominated the tableau, complemented by songs, dancing, and spirited exclamations for a country's freedom hard-won.
The fall of the 50-year-old political dynasty has personal resonance for many, as immigrants and refugees alike have been kept distant from their homeland for fear of political persecution—a sentiment echoed through the attendees who can now hope to return. "We never thought this would happen that fast, but we’re very excited for the future of Syria and our people," Salem Bara told the Sun-Times. While demonstrators shared tales of loved ones lost or imprisoned by the government, the predominant mood captured in another attendee's sign, as spotted by the Sun-Times, asserted, "The feeling of freedom cannot be explained."
Across the spectrum of emotions, hope for Syria's future was palpable. Echoing this sentiment, Maher Khatta from Citizens for a Secure and Safe America, expressed to ABC 7 Chicago their disbelief in the rapidity of change: "We couldn't believe it. One week and all this gone. The tyranny gone. All those people who ruled the country for 52 years gone. It's unbelievable."
The anticipation of the community’s next steps is grounded in a blend of sheer joy and cognizance of the challenging journey ahead. As celebrations ensued, the determination to participate in Syria's reconstruction was not lost on activists. Mohammed Al Zoubi encapsulated this determination in a statement obtained by ABC 7 Chicago, "And I hope the people of Syria will feel the freedom and will look to the future." The resolve to advance towards a democratic Syria, and not just a departure from tyranny, was a common thread in the expressions of those present.
