MODESTO, Calif. — Hundreds gathered in Modesto on Nov. 8 to participate in a worldwide protest that honored the death of Catholic Assyrians in Iraq.

“We want to bring awareness to people about what is really going on,” said Melinda Khubiar, of Modesto.

An attack by Sunni militants on the congregation of the Assyrian Our Lady of Deliverance Catholic Church in central Baghdad, on Oct. 31 resulted in the deaths of 52 Catholic Assyrians, including two priests.

The Martyrs Brigade of the Islamic State of Iraq, a Sunni militant umbrella group affiliated with al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack.

“The extremist Muslims are murdering the Christian churches in Iraq to claim ‘The Islamic State of Iraq,’” said Khubiar. “It’s unfair that innocent people are dying.”

The gunmen held more than 100 people hostage for hours. The kidnappers were demanding the release of al-Qaeda prisoners from Iraq and Egyptian jails.

Along with the Assyrian Christians, five policeman and 75 terrorists were killed after militants detonated their explosive belts.

Flora Aghassi, of Turlock, was furious about the situation.

“My tax-paying dollars are going to the American troops, yet they can’t protect our innocent people,” said Aghassi.

The church being attacked was located not far from the Green Zone, the heavily fortified zone within Baghdad which houses the U.S. and several other embassies, as well a number of Iraqi government facilities.

“These were Christian people,” said Illbret Gelyana of Turlock. “Assyrians are our allies. We need to protect them.”

Suzan Younan of Modesto was the main director in organizing the protest, which took place on the corner of McHenry and Briggsmore Avenue.

After receiving a permit from the mayor’s office through the City of Modesto, the protest plans began.

Ray Rasho, deacon of an Assyrian church in Turlock, was responsible for notifying churchgoers about the event.

“This event should mean something to all Christians out there, not just the Assyrian community,” said Rasho.

Through word of mouth and social networking, many community residents joined in to show their support.

“The turnout was great,” said Younan. “We reached about 700 people at the rally.”

Many protesters carried signs, large Assyrian flags and crosses as they stood or marched through all four corners of the busy intersection.

Gelyana flashed her sign at cars that passed.

“More people need to know about this,” said Gelyana. “Ethnic cleansing needs to stop.”

With many people unaware about this situation in Iraq, the main goal of organizers was to spread awareness.

“I wish we would have had more support from people of other races,” said Aghassi. “The turnout was mostly just Assyrians.”

Onlookers were mostly supportive as they honked or waved to protesters.

The protest took place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and ended with a candlelight vigil. Younan stated that the Modesto community is planning a future protest that will join with Sacramento to reach a larger audience.

There have been several more bombings since the one on Oct. 31st.

“We are going to continually protest and ask for help until something is done,” said Khubiar.

Organizers of the protest ask for people to spread the word and show support. They continue to hope their people will be protected.