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Assyrians in California Protest Iraq Church Bombings
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In a 72 hour span, from July 11 to 13, seven Christian churches were bombed in Iraq.

The reverberations of those bomb blasts were felt a half a world away here in Turlock, as Assyrian-Americans gathered at Monte Vista Crossings on Saturday evening to protest the lack of protection given to Assyrians still living on their native soil.

"Our people over there need more support, more security," said Charles Givargis, Executive Director of the Assyrian Democratic Movement of Stanislaus County.

"We're trying to say, 'Stop bombing our churches and let our people live in the homeland.'"

According to the Assyrian International News Agency, 59 Assyrian churches have been bombed in Iraq since June 26, 2004. The vast majority of those, 40, were located in Baghdad, while 13 were in Mosul, five were in Kirkuk, and one was in Ramadi.

The most recent bombings occurred in the afternoon, according to Givargis, when the churches were relatively empty.

"Since the fall of Saddam, our people have been targeted," Givargis said. "This act was not to kill people. This act was to send a message."

While no definite culprit has been identified, AsiaNews cites unnamed journalist sources that claim Iraqi police believe Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the head of Al Qaeda in Iraq, is responsible. Givargis says that, to find who is behind the attacks, one must simply look to see who will benefit once the land is illegally cleared of native people.

Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution requires that all "administrative, political, cultural, and educational rights of the various nationalities, such as Turkmen, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and all other constituents," be guaranteed, but the continued bombings and lack of native Assyrian security forces raised concern among the protesters.

"Putting it in the constitution is one thing, and practicing it is another," Givargis said.

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