DENVER — Across the country on Saturday, Sudanese communities rallied in support of their loved ones in Sudan.
"We are the people of Sudan," chanted dozens of people in Denver's Civic Center Park.
For the last several months, the people of Sudan have been protesting the dictatorship.
"My people have peacefully overthrown a 30-year regime," explained Wafa Saeed with the Sudanese American Public Affairs Association (SAPAA).
While they were successful in overthrowing the regime, the problem for folks has been who took it over.
"The transitional military council took over rather than turning power over to the citizens,” explained Makkawi Makkawi.
He says that has brought on many problems for the people of Sudan.
"For the most part, communication has taken a huge hit," he said, "like people’s ability to communicate with their loved ones.”
It’s been a few weeks since Makkawi has talked to his family and several days since Saeed has talked to hers.
"The fear of them not being able to answer the phone, that stays with you," she said.
While she hasn’t lost any family members to the protest, she has been touched by the deaths. "One of the cars ran over his [neighbor's] body when he was trying to protect his family."
Even if getting a hold of her family in Sudan has been difficult, Saeed uses any platform she can in Denver to send them messages of support.
"My message to the people in Sudan is that we are with you," she said with tears in her eyes, "thank you for everything you are doing for our country. We are trying really hard to bring awareness and we just want you to know we love you, we are here for you and we will be your voice.”