For the second weekend in a row, activists and members of the group Afghan Unity DFW gathered at Civic Garden to protest what they allege to be the government’s mishandling of the situation in Afghanistan.
Marchers carried signs denouncing the Taliban and recent violence and expressing support for American troops and those fleeing the chaos.
In February of 2020, former President Donald Trump brokered a peace deal with the Taliban. They agreed to cease any attacks on American troops and Afghan allies in exchange for a withdrawal of troops and contractors by May of 2021. However, in April of this year, President Joe Biden announced that the United States could not make the May deadline and would be out by September.
Earlier this month, the Taliban began sweeping through Afghanistan and taking control of cities, culminating in the seizure of Kabul on Aug. 15.
Since the Afghan capital fell, the United States and its allies have evacuated more than 100,000 people. They will continue to remove American troops, citizens, and partners until the Aug. 31st deadline imposed by the Taliban.
Many of those being evacuated are Afghan citizens who have aided US troops during the last 20 years and now fear for their safety under the Taliban. As a result, they have been forced to flee their homes with little to no notice.
“They have no clothing, no nothing. As we see on the news, they’re trying to save themselves, and they need help from Afghans who are in Dallas,” said Nayeb. His group is working with charities and non-profits around Dallas to collect clothing and other necessities for our new neighbors.
While it is currently unclear how many refugees and asylum seekers will be moved to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, people like the executive director of the International Rescue Committee’s Dallas office, Suzy Cop, are confident Dallas will rise to the occasion.
“I’ve been amazed at just the sheer outreach that we’ve gotten so far from our community here in Dallas,” Cop said. “Folks are just calling up and asking us what kind of assistance they can provide. It’s amazing because everybody wants to be a part of it.”