Yelda Ali says she’s been heartbroken over what is happening in her native Afghanistan. 

“It’s triggering, you know, the ancestral trauma is rising, Afghans are in this cyclical oppression and every cycle gets worse,” said Ali. “My mother was actually pregnant with me while she was being smuggled out of Afghanistan in the 80s.”

Ali joined over 200 protesters in Midtown on Saturday calling for the protection of Afghan lives.

“Rights to freedom are fundamental, freedom from torture is fundamental, freedom of opinion and expression are fundamental,” Ali said, rallying the crowd of protesters.

The Taliban has seized power in Afghanistan as the U.S. continues its withdrawal of troops nearly 20 years after the war began. Ali says that, as an Afghan refugee, she understands this humanitarian crisis.

“Woman are at risk, minorities are at risk, LGBTQ communities are at risk,” Ali said.

Organizers say their message here is simple. 

“We’re asking that Afghans in danger because of the Taliban get evacuated, those that hold SIVS and P2 Visas,” explained Zakaria Kazmi.

The group hit the streets carrying signs, flags and chanting to amplify their message. 

“We need our message to spread as far as we can,” Kazmi said. “We want everyone to know our struggle and our needs, so the more people that can hear us the better.”

Protesters walked on 42nd Street towards 1st Avenue where they rallied in front of the United Nations building. They said this is a global cause in need of attention.

For Ali, she believes not just New Yorkers, but all Americans need to get involved. 

“It’s very important right now for everyone to learn about what is happening in Afghanistan and most importantly what America’s role is in the fall of Afghanistan,” Ali said.