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Thousands rally for 'Today I am Muslim Too' protest in NYC

By Andrew V. Pestano
A sign with the face of a Muslim girl wearing an American flag as a hijab headdress was hoisted up by protesters at the "Today I am a Muslim Too" rally against the immigration policies of President Donald Trump in Times Square in New York City on Sunday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
1 of 3 | A sign with the face of a Muslim girl wearing an American flag as a hijab headdress was hoisted up by protesters at the "Today I am a Muslim Too" rally against the immigration policies of President Donald Trump in Times Square in New York City on Sunday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Thousands of people gathered in New York City to show support for Muslims and opposition to President Donald Trump's halted executive order banning travel from some Muslim-majority countries.

The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding organized the "Today I am Muslim Too" rally Sunday in Times Square. Music mogul Russel Simmons, a leader within the organization, said up to 10,000 people attended the rally.

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"An absolute incredible show of solidarity!" Simmons wrote on Twitter.

The protest on Sunday came on the 75th anniversary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066 issued in 1942. Roosevelt's order led the way for the internment of Japanese, German and Italian Americans.

RELATED Protesters hold 'I Am A Muslim Too' rally in New York

"Regardless of your background, your faith or where you were born, this is your city," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a speech.

Trump ordered a travel ban in late January through an executive order that prohibited all refugees from entering the United States for 120 days, banned Syrian refugees indefinitely and for 90 days banned entry by people from seven mostly Muslim countries: Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Iraq and Syria.

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Trump's order was put on hold after a unanimous federal appeals court decision. The president said he intends to sign a new executive order this week to replace the earlier one.

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