Calgary’s Afghan Community rally together to protest Taliban takeover

CALGARY — More than 100 people gathered outside Calgary City Hall to voice their frustration and sadness over the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan.

Afghan YYC organized the rally to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the need for Canada to help refugees trying to flee the country.

Aarzo Karimi said she attended to stand up for the rights of her people.

“The people of Afghanistan have been suffering for too long. If we don’t raise our voice, who will?” she said.

“This protest is for the international community to take more action in trying to prevent Afghan women and children from going back to the same extremist regime 20 years ago.”

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Karimi has family in Afghanistan who are afraid to leave their homes because of the Taliban patrolling the streets.

“They are saying that they have to stay home, and they are too scared to go out because they don’t know what might happen to them,” she said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty right now, which is the scary part because we don’t know if our own family is going to be safe.

The Canadian government promised to bring in 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan, but protesters at the event said it’s not enough for the millions who need help.