'I feel like crying': Houston protesters denounce Taliban takeover of Afghanistan's government

Shouts of “Free Afghanistan” broke through a roaring thunderstorm Sunday near Houston’s Galleria, where about 50 people protested the Taliban takeover of the country’s government. Earlier in the day, armed Taliban fighters moved into the capital city of Kabul after the Afghanistan government collapsed, sending its president, Ashraf Ghani, and citizens fleeing the country. Afghans left in fear that the Taliban could again impose the brutal rule that all but eliminated women’s rights, according to the Associated Press. Protesters in Houston, many of whom had family members in the country, said they were gripped by anger and sadness. “The situation in Afghanistan just keeps getting worse and worse — especially for woman and for children — and we want this to stop,” said Roya Kabiri, an Afghanistan refugee who lives in Houston. Kabiri huddled under an umbrella with her brother and sisters. Kabiri’s brother, Farshad, said he had been talking to family members who remained in the panic-stricken Kabul. All stores are closed, he said, and they do not have food to cook for themselves. “It’s dangerous for them to even go out — to even do anything,” he said. We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here. In Kabul, many fleeing Afghan and American citizens were met with sporadic gunfire at the airport, halting commercial air traffic. The U.S. Embassy suspended operations and warned Americans to shelter in place and not try to get to the airport. Evacuation efforts continued on military flights. Since 2007, at least 11,790 Afghans have settled in Houston, with more than 90 percent of them being Special Immigrant Visa recipients, according to the South Texas Office of Refugees. Obtaining the visa is a rigorous and confusing process that has taken nearly a decade for some, many of whom worked as interpreters for the U.S. military in Afghanistan. The applications require letters of support from U.S. officials and must show that their lives are in danger. As of June, an estimated 18,000 interpreters were still waiting for their visa applications to be processed. Some protesters in Houston placed blame on the Pakistan government for the Taliban’s progress. Analysts say Pakistan’s leverage is often overstated, the AP reports, but the country does permit the Taliban leadership on its territory. The insurgents receive treatment in Pakistani hospital, and their children go to Pakistani schools. Some own property in the country. “We’re protesting here so Pakistan… can stop sending all those terrorists to our country,” said Zubair Quraishi. The Consulate General of Pakistan could not immediately be reached for comment. Sheets of rain drenched protesters waving the flag of Afghanistan. They briefly marched around the parking lot at Richmond and Chimney Rock. “Everyone is angry,” said Tamim Shakir. “We’re angry and just frustrated, because there’s been so much going on for too long.” Sultan Mohamad Yarzada, another protester, said, “I feel like crying.” Nicole Hensley contributed to this report. julian.gill@chron.com

'I feel like crying': Houston protesters denounce Taliban takeover of Afghanistan's government

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