17 April Movement Stages Damascus Sit-In for Judicial Reform, Anti-Corruption

DAMASCUS, Syria — The 17 April Movement called for a peaceful sit-in Saturday in front of the People's Assembly building in the capital, Damascus, under the theme "Law and Honor." According to a statement from the movement, the protest aimed to bring public debate into an open forum and establish a platform for dialogue on political, economic and social issues. Organizers outlined a series of demands including strengthening judicial independence, combating corruption, and expanding political participation through elections in local councils and unions. The statement also called for linking wages to price levels and protecting basic services. Additional demands included transitional justice, protecting public freedoms, and opposing sectarian discourse and hate speech. The same movement organized a similar protest in Damascus last April, which was part of a series of events, according to the statement.