Despite the rain coming down, a crowd of supporters gathered on the University of Charleston campus Tuesday night to honor those killed in the recent Aleppo University bombing in Syria.
These horrific tragedies by the Syrian regime cannot go unnoticed,” said UC student Obadah Moushmoush. “We have to come out here, we have to show the Syrian people the support, we have to show them that we are with them and we are with the revolution.”
Moushmoush and many others bared the cold temps and rain to participate in the candlelight vigil put together by UC students.
Charleston resident Patty Anderson came out to the vigil to show that Americans do care.
“It shouldn’t be happening,” said Anderson. “The United States should help more and I’m here to help support them and show them that we care.”
Anderson said something has to be done because there are way to many innocent being killed in Syria.
Aleppo officials reported that around 82 people were killed after bombs hit an area between the architecture facility and the University of Aleppo’s residence halls while exams were being taken.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at 52.
Moushmoush’s mother Lama Kalahji was born in Syria and said she was devastated when she heard the news.
“I can’t imagine myself sending my son to the university and him not coming back home,” said Kalahji. “It’s awful. What did these kids do, I mean they didn’t do anything.”
Moushmoush said people need to stop sitting back and doing nothing while people are getting killed in Syria. He said something needs to be done.
The mood at the vigil was very somber as those in attendance paid their respects outside of UC’s Riggleman Hall.