Los Angeles opens arms to Syrian refugees
AFP
December 9, 2015 14:13 MYT
December 9, 2015 14:13 MYT
More than 25 of the 50 US states have said they would not accept refugees from Syria on the heels of terror strikes in Paris in which 130 people were killed. - File photo
Los Angeles county leaders voted Tuesday to welcome refugees fleeing persecution, including those from Syria, even as some Americans voice fears they could be linked to terror.
The county board of supervisors voted three to two in favor of a symbolic stand to welcome Syrian refugees fleeing a humanitarian crisis that "is arguably the largest since World War II."
The three votes in favor were from Democrats, the two against from Republicans and there was one abstention.
More than 25 of the 50 US states have said they would not accept refugees from Syria on the heels of terror strikes in Paris in which 130 people were killed.
Syed Farook, 28, and his Pakistan-born wife Tashfeen Malik, 29, shot 14 dead and wounded 21 others in San Bernardino, California on December 2. They died hours later in a firefight with police.
Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump then urged a temporary suspension of Muslims being allowed entry into the United States.
President Barack Obama slammed the remarks as contrary to American values.