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 Chanting “Dump Trump” and “refugees welcome,” the protesters
castigated Trump’s comments.
“We are not asking for any favors,” Linda Sarsour of the Arab
American Association of New York told the crowd. “We are asking for
the basic respect and dignity that we all deserve here in the United
States of America.”
Trump's statement, which has drawn widespread criticism both at home
and abroad, came in response to the deadly shootings in San
Bernardino, California, last week, in which a married Muslim couple
described as "radicalized" by authorities killed 14 people. On
Thursday, Trump canceled a planned trip to Israel amid the uproar.
 Some protesters said Trump’s comments, while more explicit, were not
that far removed from statements by other politicians calling for
restrictions on Syrian refugees who want to settle in the United
States.
Others warned that Trump's divisive remarks were only intensifying a
wave of Islamophobia.
"The damage he’s done is already very significant," said Skanda
Kadirgamar, 27, citing reports of increased threats against Muslims.
"Donald Trump is here to pour gasoline onto those fires."
Some Muslims at the rally said they feared attacks and
discrimination would increase in the wake of the shootings, much as
they did following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by al Qaeda.
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Amira Kariem, 16, said her father forced her mother to stop wearing
her head scarf for two weeks following those attacks, while her
friend, Iman Sahel, 17, said her aunt was pushed to the ground.
"There are people who are just like him," Sahel said of Trump.
A lone Trump supporter stood off to the side of the protest, holding
up signs that said "We Want Trump" and "No More Syrians."
The rally's speakers included Hussam Al Roustom, a Syrian refugee
who arrived in New Jersey four months ago after fleeing the war-torn
city of Homs.
"Islam is the religion of peace," he said. "Islam is not terrorism."
(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
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