More than 100 people marched in downtown Ottawa to give a voice to the voiceless, threatened children of Syria on Saturday.
Local activists joined others across the continent and countries such as Denmark, Australia and Brazil to remember what they say is the more than 3,000 children killed during that conflict.
That number is less than a tenth of the reported 36,000 people killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March of 2011.
“We're against the regime,” said Sara Alobidat.
“We're trying to show everyone that what's happening in Syria is actually important, and people need to open their eyes and realize we need help.”
“There are over 50,000 video clips showing war crimes by the regime,” said Maher Arar, who was wrongfully imprisoned and tortured in Syria ten years ago.
“That’s why it’s important to bring this issue to mainstream Canadians, so they understand this regime needs to go.”
Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar said Canada can be doing more to help Syrians.
“We have Canadians who have family members in refugee camps right now,” he said. “We could immediately help them by fast-tracking them here right now, to help them out.
Dewar said he will be introducing a motion calling for that to happen, as well as more humanitarian aid.
It will go in front of the federal foreign affairs committee early this week.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Claudia Cautillo
