Friday night:

(From Fahima jaan)

We started to gather a little before 2 p.m. It was a hot afternoon, or at least for me, because I was nervous. I started with talking few words about A. S., letting people know that we are a new group. {I misinformed them by saying we started in April or May when we apparently only started on June 4.} Zeiba Shoresh talked about the refugee situation in and out Afghanistan. She condemned the war against our people and also foreign interference in our country.

Then I talked about the international community's abandonment of our people. Then Tooba jan spoke about the situation and appealed to international community to help. I read the message from Afghanistan Foundation. We chanted some, Zieba jan did a very good job of chanting, we all were repeating. Later Nassrin Gross read her declaration of the rights of women. she chanted some too. At the very end a young Afghan woman {Samira jan} spoke some about the atrocity of the Taliban.

Another American supporter also talked few words about the human rights in Afghanistan. Some of our chanting were like Peace, unity, solidarity, stop foreign interference, some against Pakistan government and also against Russia, India and Iran governments. There were around 30 people who attended the rally, but we had more audience who took our fliers. {We distributed 200 of the PR. 150 or more of the fact sheet.}

I was disappointed some because the turnout was low, but since we are a new group, I am proud of those who helped to put the rally together in six weeks. I still call it a success. I learned from our first experience, hopefully next time is a better success. We made some connections, some Afghan students were very exited about the group and hopefully we all work together for the good of our country.