Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Drivers on 400 South honked in solidarity Tuesday afternoon with shouts from a few dozen protesters to free Afghanistan and stand with Afghan women.
Tuesday marked the two-year anniversary since the fall of the Afghanistan government to the Taliban and the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Since then, women and girls in the country have been stripped of most freedoms and over 1,000 civilians have been killed in attacks.
"This is the least we can do for our people who are suffering. We need the support of the people here to use their voices," said Afghan activist Crystal Bayat, who helped organize the protest. "We are fighting for democracy, we are fighting for freedom, we are fighting for human rights, we are fighting for women's rights. We've seen the U.S. government is trying to negotiate with the Taliban, sending them money. ... Why is that? U.S. citizens must speak out against their government and make them uncomfortable to not empower terrorists."
Although the U.S. has provided over $8 billion in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since August 2021, a government watchdog group says the funds may be funding the Taliban and Afghan terrorist groups.
Bayat is among at least 376 Afghans who arrived in Utah as refugees or with special immigrant visas between August 2021 and July 2023, according to federal data.
Frozan Hatami arrived in Salt Lake City two weeks ago. She fled Afghanistan after receiving threats from the Taliban for her advocacy for women's rights. Tuesday was her first time protesting for Afghan freedom since holding her last protest in Afghanistan in May. Her experience stood in stark contrast to that of her activist friends who are still in the country, who she said were unable to organize a protest on the two-year anniversary.
"They cannot freely stand against all the rules and restrictions like we are doing right here in Utah in the U.S. They cannot do such a thing. They cannot stand against Taliban. They would be shot or arrested," she said. "There are many people who are struggling, who have no food. They have no rights in Afghanistan. I just want the American people to stand with Afghan people, to support us — even like with social media posts, with whatever you can do just to stand with us and support Afghan women."
One protester, who declined to give his name out of fear the Taliban would punish his family members who are still in the country, worked as an interpreter with U.S. special forces. He was evacuated with his wife and two young children from the airport in Kabul when U.S. forces pulled out of the country. The family spent 12 hours waiting to get into the airport as a huge crowd flooded the gates in a desperate attempt to leave.
"It was difficult that day. That day is such a black day for our country. When I remember that time and that fear — it was so painful," he said.
He said he wishes the U.S. and other countries would make it easier for Afghan refugees to get visas. Although tens of thousands of Afghans have been resettled in the U.S., virtually all have been left without a clear pathway to legally stay. Meanwhile, thousands of Afghans are still waiting outside the country for their visas for be processed.
Defense lawyer Rudy Bautista was leaving work when he stumbled upon the protest at the bottom of the steps leading up to the federal courthouse.
"Once I realized what the signs were saying, I am totally in support of these people," he said. "We gave them hope and then we abandon them. So they have every right to say what they're saying, and I believe that they are in the right — we should not recognize the Taliban."
Correction: A quote in an earlier version said many are struggling who have no food and no rice, but should have said they have no food and no rights in Afghanistan.
