With the presidential campaign heavy on attacks on Muslims and immigrants, local residents rallied in Niagara Square yesterday to defend immigrants and reject those attacks.
Speakers included religious leaders and politicians speaking about American values and what immigrants have brought to this country over the centuries.
"Muslims are not terrorists," Council President and Bishop Darius Pridgen told the gathering which responded with cheers.attacked group criticism.
"Terrorists are terrorists. Extremists are extremists. To be a Muslim does not make you a terrorist any more than me being Black makes me a criminal. We all have people around us who give all of us bad names and it's unfair."
Also on hand was Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz who says the nation has to defend American values like freedom, equality and free speech. The county executive grew up with Muslims in Lackawanna and has been a strong defender.
