Pou celebrates collapse of Assad regime in Syria

Rep.-elect Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), whose 9th congressional district is home to a large community of Arab Americans in Paterson and Clifton, said today that she welcomes the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after more than a decade of civil war in Syria.

“The swift fall of the Assad regime is as stunning as it is welcome,” Pou said in a statement. “The Syrian people, their families, and their loved ones have suffered under Assad’s vicious rule for decades. Assad and his police state are responsible for the murder of hundreds of thousands of Syrians. Countless others have been subjected to unconscionable torture and repression. Many of our neighbors are overjoyed, including refugees who fled the violence and have made our community their home.”

Pou, who won a surprisingly close contest last month to succeed the late Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson), won’t officially take office until next month, when the full 119th Congress is sworn in. But since Pascrell’s office has been vacant since his death in August, there’s no one else to fill the gap, and Pou has begun to take on some of the responsibilities of a sitting member of Congress.

That includes directing constituents to her soon-to-be congressional office, which has remained operational after Pascrell’s death, if they need assistance on Syria-related evacuation or travel issues.

“None of us know what will come next,” she said. “Our own government’s role must be constructive. We must provide assistance to citizens who need assistance and desire to evacuate the region. I encourage any American in or travelling to the region to enroll in [the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program] as soon as possible. New Jersey residents can contact my office for casework assistance.”