A vigil was held at Syracuse University Monday evening in opposition to a proposed U.S. led military strike in Syria. About 30 people came to show support. Syria is currently in a civil war, and the United Nationas estimates more than 100,000 people have died since 2011.
Austin Ted Paulnack, who organized the event, said the goal of the vigil was to send a message to representatives of government.
"Light a candle, say a prayer, sign a petition and show, physically show, that people have a great interest in the future of their country. Marches, rallies and vigils send a message that is quite more powerful than simply making a phone call or email or twitter," said Paulnack.
Jeurje Alamir is a Christian Syrian living in Syracuse, and came to the United States in 1998. His parents and brother live in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Alamir said at first he was in favor of the protests that started the civil war, but now sides with President Bashar Al-Assad.
"We were in favor of protesting corruption and that was it. When we woke up and we started seeing all these foreigners coming in through our borders from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, all these extremists coming in to kill us Syrians we woke up."
President Barack Obama is addressing the nation Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of a military strike against Syria.
President Obama's remarks to the nation will be aired live on WRVO Public Media Tuesday night at 9 p.m.
