Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Activists called for protests across Syria today to mark Independence Day and to bolster the popular uprising against the country's authoritarian regime.
The plans come despite promises by President Bashar Assad to end nearly 50 years of emergency rule and implement other reforms following more than a month of unprecedented - and growing - demonstrations. More than 200 people have been killed as security forces tried to crush the protests using live ammunition, tear gas and batons.
Syria's leading pro-democracy group, the Damascus Declaration, urged Syrians to stage peaceful protests in all Syrian cities and abroad to "bolster Syria's popular uprising and ensure its continuity."
In a strongly worded statement posted on the group's website, the Damascus Declaration said the regime was responsible for killing and wounding hundreds of Syrians who have been calling for their legitimate rights in the past month.
"The regime alone stands fully responsible for the blood of martyrs and all that will happen next in the country," the statement said.
Other activists also called for protests through social network sites.
Bowing to pressure from the uprising now in its second month, Assad promised yesterday to end the widely despised emergency law, but coupled his concession with a stern warning that further unrest will be considered sabotage.
He warned there will no longer be "an excuse" for organising protests once Syria lifts emergency rule and implements a spate of reforms, which he said will include a new law allowing the formation of political parties.
"After that, we will not tolerate any attempt at sabotage," Assad said in a televised meeting with his Cabinet.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets before and after Assad's speech in a sign that his promises were unlikely to appease a movement that has grown bolder in demanding sweeping changes.
Assad said armed gangs and a "foreign conspiracy" were behind the unrest, not true reform-seekers.
Today, Syria's state-run news agency said security forces seized a large quantity of weapons hidden in a truck coming from Iraq. SANA reported that the weapons were confiscated at the Tanaf crossing on the Syrian-Iraqi border, adding the shipment included machine-guns, automatic rifles, night vision goggles and grenade launchers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments