Photos from the SF Rally for Iraqi Christians

On Saturday, August 2, at least 2,000 people gathered in San Francisco's Justin Herman Plaza as part of the worldwide day of solidarity with the persecuted Christians in Iraq. Many of those gathered were Assyrian Christians, with family still living back there. A number of Assyrian bishops and clergy were at the rally, as well as Congressman Jeff Denham, who represents California's 10th District in Washington DC.



Here are some pictures I took with my smart phone--clicking on a picture will give you the larger version. The rally was scheduled for 10AM, but people were still arriving right up until after 11.

His Grace Bishop Mar Awa Royel, the California bishop of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, gave the invocation. That's him in the yellow circle in the photo below.

His Grace was followed by Congressman Jeff Denham, who pleaded for Democrats and Republicans in Washington to put aside their differences, and to help the people of Iraq. The congressman i9s in the yellow circle in the photo below.

Below is another eastern Bishop who was at the rally--I did not get his name.

There were lots of very moving signs:

 

Latin Rite Catholics were there to show support for their Assyrian brothers and sisters:

That's Sr. Ignatius, and Mr. Franco Reguzzoni, a teacher from De La Salle High School in Concord holding the flag with the "We Are N" symbol attached. A shining example for his students!

And the Catholic Military families were there, too!

After the rally, our shepherds took the lead in the March to Union Square

The demonstration more than filled Union Square.

There will be another demonstration supporting the Assyrian Christians this Friday at San Francisco's United Nations Plaza. It will begin at 11:00 AM. You can find more details here:



https://www.facebook.com/events/502162026581181/