Syrian-Americans in Chicago celebrate as Bashar Al-Assad resigns and his oppressive rule in Syria comes to an end

CHICAGO (WLS) — A celebration Sunday in Chicago’s Congress Plaza in the Loop could only be described as an outpouring of pent up emotion.

Many people came together to celebrate the fall of the Assad government, which had been in power in Syria since 1970. The joyous crowd included many who had moved to the United States to escape the harsh rule of the regime.

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The celebration resounded with the thunderous beat of drums as attendees danced, sang, and embraced each other. The event brought together hundreds of Syrian-Americans in jubilation. The dictatorship that had gripped their homeland for 52 years has now come to an end, almost in the blink of an eye.

“We are completely stunned by the speed of this. And we got it,” Syrian American Council President Hani Atassi said. “This is a celebration now.”

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Interestingly, the gathering had been scheduled for Saturday, even before Bashar Al-Assad stepped down as president and fled Syria. The organizers had planned this event to add to the growing international pressure for his departure, never anticipating that it would happen so swiftly.

“We couldn’t believe it. One week and all this gone,” said Maher Khatta with Citizens for a Secure and Safe America. “The tyranny gone. All those people who ruled the country for 52 years gone. It’s unbelievable.”

In the crowd Sunday were people of all ages. Among them were many who have been in Chicago for decades, unable to go home for fear of political persecution. Many others were recent immigrants, who left Syria as refugees when the country’s civil war began 13 years ago.

It is a war that’s claimed over half a million lives, and seen 14 million people forced to flee their homes.

“I’m feeling so happy. My country is back,” Syrian refugee Sadell Matar Al-Haj said. “I have left the war when I was four years old, and I’m just so happy to feel that I have a country again.”

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While it is unclear what kind of government will take over in Syria, for now at least there is hope.

“I hope Syria to be a democratic country,” said Mohammed Al Zoubi with Citizens for a Secure and Safe America. “And I hope the people of Syria will feel the freedom and will look to the future.”

While Sunday was a day to celebrate, many of those who even in exile have remained politically active know the hard work to rebuild the country starts now. It is an effort they say they intend to be a part of.