PHOTOS: Syrian Americans Protest in Newport Beach

Dozens of people were on the sidewalk in front of the Consulate General of Syria at San Joaquin Plaza on Friday afternoon protesting what they say is 48 years of repression by the Syrian government.

“Enough with fear. Enough with prisons. Enough with torture. It’s time for change,” said Syrian American Ammar Kahf, one of the organizers of the demonstration.

A Newport Beach police officer stopped by briefly to ask that people stay off the median on San Joaquin Hills Road and that the demonstrators allow pedestrians to pass on the sidewalk.

In the past week, Syrian forces have cracked down on demonstrators in that country, according to reports.