Chaldeans In Michigan Rally Over Iraq Violence
[photogallerylink id=41101 align=left]Members of Michigan's Chaldean community are rallying in Detroit to express anger and frustration over what they say is a lack of protection for Christians in Iraq after a bloody church siege.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the McNamara federal building in downtown Detroit, Monday afternoon, chanting and carrying signs.
The rally coinciding with others in Chicago, London and Paris, all driving home the point that Iraqi Christians are being targeted in their homeland.
U.S. Iraqi Christians seek international help for Iraq's Christian community since the Oct. 31 attack at a Catholic church in Bagdad during Sunday service. Fifty-eight people were killed, including children and priests.
At the rally, some protestors told WWJ's Pat Sweeting they had family members who attended that church.
"It's where my parents got married, at that church, so it is close to our hearts. It was a brutal slaying. I mean, they just killed the priest during mass then killed all the men," said Mike of Clarkston.
The protestors are calling on the U.S. government to take action.
"There are two things. Number one, first and foremost, to have protection for the Christians there. And, maybe mobilize U.S. forces to protect the churches, because they don't have protection," said protester Margo Garmo.
Garmo said she would also like to see the U.S. allow more immigration by Iraqi Christians.
Since 2007, thousands of Iraqi Christians have come to the Detroit area, which has one of the largest communities of people in the United States with roots in the Middle East.
(Copyright 2010 WWJ Radio. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
