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Assyrians Rally for Murder and Death...
Posted by Jeff (Guest) jeff@attoz.com - Thursday, March 25 2004, 19:38:06 (EST)
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"
Assyrians Rally in California Capitol, Demand Stronger Role in Iraq

Courtesy of the Sacramento Bee
20 March
By Eric Sern

It might have been the most pro-American rally of those last Friday, the first anniversary of the start of the U.S. war in Iraq, with flag-waving, rounds of "God Bless America," even chants of "Long live George Bush."

For California's Christian Assyrian community, descended from the ancient empire in what is now Iraq, the toppling of dictator Saddam Hussein was long awaited and much appreciated.

More than 100 Assyrians gathered in Sacramento, California to show their support for the U.S. intervention and to call for a stronger Assyrian role in the new Iraqi government. Most people at the rally bused in from Stanislaus County, where about 20,000 Assyrians have settled.

"They've only got half the job done," said Ann-Margaret Yonan of Turlock. "We want our national identity to be recognized as the indigenous people of Iraq."

In San Francisco, meanwhile, hundreds of people marched through the streets Friday morning, chanting and carrying signs to show their opposition to the U.S.-led military action in Iraq. Police arrested 19 protesters, including two men who were taken into custody for assaulting an officer.

The Governing Council of Iraq - a 25-member interim government that reaches across religious, geographic and ethnic lines - includes one Christian Assyrian. But California's Assyrians say that person is not a true spokesman of their people.

"We do not have standing there right now. Absolutely no representation. Nothing," said Sargon Dadesho of Ceres, founder of the Assyrian National Congress.

Assyrians are unhappy that the interim government has established a Kurdish province on their historic land, and they are calling for their own regional autonomy.

Next month, Dadesho is leading a delegation of Assyrians to Washington to meet with policy-makers involved in shaping the Iraqi government.

"It's a critical time," said Dadesho, pointing out that an interim Iraqi Constitution was signed this month and the United States has vowed to turn over the reins of power to Iraqis soon.

The struggle for a homeland comes as many Assyrian Americans cling to the remaining strands of their biblical-era roots, which includes a language similar to Aramaic, spoken in the hit movie "The Passion of The Christ."

"If I don't care, who would care?" asked Sargon Yousip, 24, of Modesto, a U.S.-born pharmacy student at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. "It's a nation that's almost extinct."
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