Hundreds attend rally against Iraqi violence in Dearborn

About 300 people attend event to rally against terrorist actions of ISIS

DEARBORN, Mich. – Community members, leaders and others from different states along with Canada gathered Saturday evening in Dearborn to rally against the violence in Iraq.

While the bloodshed is happening half a world away, the protesters said human rights are universal and we should all be concerned.

About 300 people attended the event that began at 7 p.m. in front of the IMAM building in Dearborn. It was a global call to action to put pressure on governments around the world to join forces and stop the terrorist group ISIS from killing more people.

The message at this rally: Religion cannot be politicized, that every person should reject a divisive narrative and instead focus on common beliefs across all faiths.

As the violence in Iraq spreads, more holy sites are destroyed and people are brutally killed, demonstrators said they can make a difference from all parts of the globe.

They hope #no2isis will start trending and counter ISIS propaganda on Twitter.

At Saturday's demonstration, the message to young men in particular was clear: Do not go to Iraq and join the Iraqi army; Find other ways to channel your anger by talking to your political representatives, your neighbors and online.

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In announcing a drone strike in November, the Pentagon did not say definitively that Mohammed Emwazi, aka "Jihadi John," had been killed. But officials expressed confidence he is dead. Emwazi was featured in the beheading videos of American journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley.


About the Author:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism