Members of the Sudanese community in the Puget Sound region are planning a rally Saturday in solidarity with protesters seeking democratic changes in the African country.
More than 100 people were killed last week in Sudan when security forces moved against protesters holding a sit-in. The military has been cracking down since it took over after longtime president Omar al-Bashir was ousted in April.
Washington state has historically had one of the largest Sudanese populations in the United States, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
"We should make our voice heard and make a little contribution even though we are far away," said Ali Elsafi, who came to the Seattle area from Sudan more than 20 years ago.
Elsafi is helping organize a rally in downtown Seattle. He says there has been a lot of interest in his community and he hopes to see as many as 100 people come out.
Elsafi said he has been able to remain in contact with his extended family still living in Sudan, even though the internet has been switched off in the country. Still, he says it's difficult to watch the conflict from half-a-world away.
"Sometimes I feel like I should be with (the protesters) when they were marching, when they were chanting," he said.
Saturday's rally is scheduled for 2 p.m. near Westlake Center in Seattle.
In addition to being a place for the local Sudanese community to gather, Elsafi said he hopes the rally will help educate Americans about the situation in Sudan. He said his community is also reaching out to members of Congress to ask the government to respond.
