Key points
- Forming a committee to organise the rally
- Exposing the intention of the perpetrators
- Give the issue an international scope
More than one hundred people gathered in this rally holding placards condemning the barbaric and uncivilised act committed by some unknown people and under the knowledge and approval of the Iraqi authorities.
A group called (the committee for a protest against the destruction of the Nineveh wall) organised the rally. This group that consist of many members of different Assyrian parties and individuals, got together and at a short period and managed to organise this event.
We saw it necessary as descendants of the land, to show our objection as Assyrians of Iraqi origin as much as all Iraqis, to stand against this barbaric act.
Member of the committee, Mr Albert Oshana, spoke to SBS Assyrian and explained the aims and objective of this rally.
He says, rallies are something people don't want to do, but events happen and activists see no option but to organise them. The committee saw it very necessary to organise this peaceful protest.
Although Assyrian political parties and organisation in Iraq have been showing their disapproval and objection to this destruction of the wall, but as in the past many times, objections are raised but no action is taken.
"We saw it necessary as descendants of the land, to show our objection as Assyrians of Iraqi origin as much as all Iraqis, to stand against this act." Mr Oshana says
Mr Oshana says there are doubts that the destruction of part of the historic wall is committed by unknown people whose motive is financial gains or even they have hatred ideologies against the Assyrian existence, and the wall of Nineveh is the beginning of their devilish plans.
Mr Oshana says this rally achieved many aims. Firstly, people who attended, felt they are angry about the issue. The committee had plans to have the rally on the first of April to coincide with Assyrian new year. But due to logistics that had to be met, including the police permission, which is one of the most important matters in NSW when such an event will take place, the rally was rescheduled for Saturday 10th of April.
As for the local council approval, that was not a big obstacle and we had the permission. But that is not all. When organising a rally, you have to prepare the declaration, speeches, invitations and so on.
Mr Oshana says, the committee will follow up after the rally. They will send the declaration to the Iraqi government and other international bodies including the UN and UNESCO.
On the other hand, Mr Oshana says this protest is also against the Iraqi government that has people in authority, who have no regards to history, national treasures, art and so forth.
It seems those people have no connection or a feeling of national belonging.
Related topics
supporting the assyrians against the destruction of Nineveh Wall
Ancient Nineveh wall destroyed as efforts to halt Iraqi road project ramp up
3000 year old wall destroyed in city of Nineveh
