We participated in the London sit-in which spanned from 15 December to 17 December. This sit-in took place in front of 10 Downing Street and demanded UK action for Syria. A group from Manchester went from 15-16 December and another group went from 16-17 December.
We participated in a vigil at Manchester University on 15 December for Aleppo. A group of thirty to forty students came out in support of the people of Aleppo, and we spoke about the overall situation and informed students about what they could do to help. Special thank you to the students who were involved in planning the vigil.
Manchester's Syrian community and supporters took to the street on 13 December to protest the latest military onslaught by Assad-backed Russian forces against Aleppo. A large crowd assembled in Piccadilly Gardens and demanded UK action to ensure civilian protection in Aleppo.
Speaking on BBC Victoria Derbyshire on 13 December, we urged all viewers to take action on Aleppo and to get in touch with their elected officials. We stressed two actions that are required immediately, first to stop the bombs being rained by Assad and Russia, but secondly to provide safe passage for civilians who want to exit besieged areas of East Aleppo.
Speaking to UNILAD on the desperate situation in Aleppo on 13 December, we said:
In an interview with Wythenshawe FM on 12 December, we provided an overview of the situation in Syria and some of the many difficulties facing Syrians both in Syria and here in the UK.
Given our work in helping with flood efforts in Rochdale in December 2015 which received international coverage, we received an invitation to attend the Global Forum for Migration and Development Civil Society Days in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 8-10 December and to lead one of the panels on using community initiatives to tackle racism and xenophobia.
We gave a presentation on Syria on 7 December at Manchester Metropolitan University's Juris North legal discussion group. The audience included Law students and faculty, as well as individduals from other departments who were interested in learning about the issue.
In an interview on BBC Victoria Derbyshire on 2 December, we called for the UK's Royal Air Force to conduct humanitarian air drops on besieged areas of East Aleppo. We also highlighted our scepticism towards any Russian-led initiatives since they are the party conducting attacks against civilian areas in East Aleppo.
A group of Syrian organisations under the broad coalition 'Save Our Syria' issued a statement on 1 December calling for global action in conducting humanitarian aid drops onto besieged Eastern Aleppo. This was accompanied by a wider call to ensure civilian protection.
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