clipped from article:

At the beginning of the Syrian Revolution, civilian protesters took to the streets in peaceful calls for freedom, democracy and dignity. Their peaceful protests were instead met with shells, tanks, snipers, torture and mass detainment.

A group of soldiers defected to protect their communities from Assad's violent repression. More soldiers began to defect and with the support of civilian fighters have formed the Free Syrian Army. The Syrian Support Group is a United States-based non-profit organization committed to supporting the Free Syrian Army through all legal means.

We are committed to a pluralistic, civil and democratic Syria in which all Syrians are subject to the Rule of Law.

[read more at link]U.S. stands impotent amid Syria atrocities | The Journal Gazette http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120830/EDIT05/308309970/1147/EDIT07