Nigerian Community In Chicago Hold Anti Boko Haram Rally
Hundreds of Nigerians in Chicago held an anti Boko Haram rally on Saturday July 5th, calling for the unconditional release the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.
They also demanded greater U.S. support for the Federal Government in its war against Boko Haram.
The rally titled #UnitedAgainstBokoHaram:#BringBackOurGirls was also organised in Atlanta, Dallas, Greenville SC, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Windsor Canada and Belmopan Belize.
Participants at the rally carried placards with inscriptions such as “Nigeria needs support to fight terrorism’’ and “Stop Boko Haram’’. Other placards read “Obama, please help stop Boko Haram’’ and “we love the girls, bring them home’’, among others.
Addressing the rally, the acting Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in the U.S., Dr Sandra Dafiaghor, said the rallies showed a united front against the terrorist organisation. She urged the citizens and governments of the U.S., Canada, and all NIDO host countries to support Nigeria in the global war against terrorism.
We are grieved and touched, by the abductions and recent stories of yet another abduction of about 60 women and children. Nigeria needs help to combat the global menace of terrorism. We are appealing to the American people and government to assist the Nigerian people stop Boko Haram and bring back our girls. We must rally round the Federal Government to ensure that the activities of Boko Haram are stopped.
She also called for global assistance to fight terrorism in Northern Nigeria.
We have a responsibility to rally behind the parents, people and government of Nigeria and bring the girls back home to safety. The violation of the rights of women and girls on such a scale, no matter who they are and where they are, requires the whole world to stand up and take action.
Boko Haram has for the first time been included on the UN list of parties or state actors who violate the rights of children in armed conflict. This was among the findings released in the annual report of the UN Secretary General on children and armed conflict which highlights 23 conflict situations around the world.
Culled from Vanguard