Local leaders, including Sudanese Americans and Mayor Bruce Teague, joined protestors Saturday to speak out against the violence, starvation, and displacement devastating Sudan.
Waving Sudanese and American flags, dozens of demonstrators gathered on the Pentacrest lawn to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis. They called for immediate action, global attention, and solidarity with the Sudanese people.
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Sudan faces a severe crisis marked by intense conflict and political instability. Military factions continue to clash, fueling widespread violence, famine, and mass displacement. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes due to food and water shortages.
As the civil war enters its second year, El Fasher remains one of the last strongholds of resistance in Sudan’s Darfur region. Residents face constant bombings, severe food and medicine shortages, and ongoing violence as the siege continues.
Mazahir Salih, a Sudanese American community member and Iowa City mayor pro tem, spoke passionately about the urgency of the situation.
“Children are starving, hospitals are being bombed, and families are crying out for help,” Salih said. “For us Sudanese, this isn’t just news, this is personal. Many of us here have friends, families, and neighbors who are in danger.”
Salih stressed that while the conflict may seem distant to many, for those living in El Fasher, it’s a daily nightmare.
“We are not powerless,” she said. “By gathering today, we are raising our voice so that the city of El Fasher reaches beyond Sudan. This is not a political issue; this is a human issue. Every child deserves food, every family deserves safety, every community deserves peace.”
Mahasen Abdelkarim, a local advocate, reminded attendees of the heavy toll on Sudanese families.
“Thousands of innocent lives are being lost every day, every minute,” Abdelkarim said. “They are being lost by rocket fire, by diseases, and reasons that are incredibly preventable.”
Iowa City leaders showed their support, with Mayor Bruce Teague and City Councilor Megan Alter attending the protest.
UI alum Adel Osman shared a heartfelt testimony about the suffering in Sudan.
“The pains of the oppressed are felt through many people,” Osman said. “Any form of death inflicted on another is needless. There are meaningless bombings and deaths in markets.”
Osman expressed hope that the protest would inspire broader action in Iowa City.
“The most important thing is keeping hope. Hope is powerful,” he said.
Organizers announced that this rally marks the start of a sustained initiative to advocate for the people of El Fasher and Sudan as a whole.
“When one community hurts, we all hurt. When one person struggles, we all struggle together,” Mayor Teague said. “As mayor of Iowa City, I stand with you.”
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