Asheville, NC – Over 50 people rallied in downtown here, Aug. 31, to protest the looming military intervention in Syria. Protesters chanted “No justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East!” and held banners and signs demanding “Hands off Syria!”

A number of groups participated in the rally, including Asheville Veterans for Peace, Occupy Asheville, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Blue Ridge Liberty Project and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. A member of the Veterans for Peace chapter in Asheville spoke at the rally, “Veterans from across the world are at this time standing tall saying ‘No more war!’” and urged people passing by to join the protest.

Josh Sykes said of the protest, “U.S. military intervention would not be for the good of the Syrian people and the majority of people recognize that and are taking to the streets. Syria is not threatening nor poses a threat to Americans. This is another clear example of the U.S. lying about needing to intervene on humanitarian grounds in order to maintain control in the Middle East.” Protesters announced they would continue to rally “as long as the war drums keep beating against Syria.”

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