Vigil in Raqqa rejects demolition, evacuation decision

In the western part of Hazima Roundabout, north of Raqqa city, the residents held a protest against a provincial plan to demolish homes in the area north of the railway under the pretext of "reconstruction and investment," and claiming that the homes were built illegally on state-owned land known as "reconstruction land," according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Protesters carried banners with angry and direct slogans, most notably; "Our homes are our dignity… Don't destroy our dignity" and "No to demolition."

During the protest, the demonstrators chanted slogans demanding the governor's removal, after he failed to respond to their demands to reverse the demolition order and convey their opposition to the relevant authorities. They emphasized their commitment to finding a just and lasting solution to their problem that guarantees their housing rights and halts the evictions and demolitions.

During the sit-in, the residents emphasized that these homes have been established since over 40 years, and represent stability for several generations. They stressed that these homes are unrelated to the houses recently purchased by some civilians in the Palm Grove area.

The residents also pointed out that protests have been ongoing since the demolition order was issued, which affects approximately 3,700 homes and threatens to displace more than 20,000 people. They affirmed their continued rejection of the decision and their commitment to ongoing protests, demanding that the relevant authorities either rescind the order or find alternative solutions that take into account the residents' circumstances and their housing and livelihood rights.

The sit-in witnessed broad participation from all age groups, in a collective affirmation that the decision affects all segments of the local community and threatens the lives and stability of hundreds of families in the area, amid the protests continuing to this day.