Braving freezing temperatures, hundreds of Kurdish activists and their supporters marched through the streets of New York on Saturday, voicing solidarity with the Kurdish region of northern Syria (Rojava) and condemning international inaction amid a escalating humanitarian crisis.

The protest comes as a fragile, U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the area hangs in the balance. Following days of attacks by the Syrian Arab Army, a four-day truce between the army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was extended for 15 days on Saturday. Demonstrators, however, expressed deep skepticism and anguish over the ongoing siege conditions.

“Our elderly, our women, our trucks in Kobane for days without food, without water, without shelter. It is our honor to amplify their voice. You are not alone. We are here,” said Xeyal Qertel, an organizer of the demonstration, in an interview with Rudaw.

Protesters carried banners reading “Save Rojava” and “Stop the Turkish Invasion,” criticizing both the Syrian government and Turkey. The sentiment on the ground was one of betrayal, particularly towards the United States and other coalition partners whom the SDF assisted in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).

“Despite the humanitarian crisis caused by the Syrian army’s attacks, the world has remained largely silent,” read one widely distributed flyer at the rally. It highlighted that the SDF, which lost over 11,000 fighters in the campaign against ISIS, now faces a severe offensive without the support of its former allies.

Emotions ran high, blending calls for immediate humanitarian aid with broader political demands. “This is not fair. We want justice for our people and Rojava is Kurdistan. It is not a part of Syria,” stated one protester, reflecting a strong nationalist sentiment within the community.

The extended ceasefire, while a temporary respite, has done little to assuage fears or alleviate suffering in Kurdish-held towns. Protesters in New York directed their frustration at the international community’s perceived silence.

“I'm not sure what they're going to do because everybody is silent right now,” another demonstrator said. “They act like they don't see, they don't hear anything, but they have to act right now.”