Protest erupts in Damascus over Christmas tree burning

Описание: (24 Dec 2024)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4542691

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Damascus, Syria - 24 December 2024
1. Christians protesting, chanting slogans
2. Various of protesters chanting ”With our blood and soul we will redeem you, O Christ”
3. Protesters holding cross chanting
4. Various of protesters at church
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic), Elias Haidar, protester:
“Our protest today is to express our anger against “individual acts” in Suqaylbiyah (in Hama province) and the burning of a (Christmas) tree which is the symbol of the birth of Jesus Christ whose birthday today represents love peace and security.”
6. Church bell ringing
7. Protesters at church


STORYLINE:
Hundreds of angry Syrian Christians held a protest march on Tuesday in Damascus after a Christmas tree was burned.

The protesters, holding a cross, marched through the Bab Touma Christian neighbourhood in Downtown Damascus to a church.

They chanted pro-Christian prayers over the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama province in Central Syria.

A video that was circulated on social media showed two masked men setting a Christmas tree on fire in Suqaylbiyah.

Protester Elias Haidar said the protest was to express their "anger" against the burning of the tree.

The rebel group HTS ( Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) which led the offensive that ousted Bashar Assad, has promised to protect minorities in Syria and the freedom of religion.

AP Video by Hussein Malla

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