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Group Gathers At Minnehaha Park To Welcome Syrian Refugees

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Thousands of refugees are arriving in Austria and Germany after those countries agreed to let them in. Most are fleeing civil war in Syria.

"These people aren't a charity case. They're humans just like we are and we could have easily been in the same position as them and we have a moral responsibility to do more," Suzan Boulad said.

A small group held signs at Minnehaha Park Sunday morning in support of those refugees. Members of the group say they're thankful for help from Minnesota politicians.

Last May, Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Senator Al Franken were among a group of democratic Senators who wrote the President, saying the U.S. needs to do more. They asked that the U.S. allow more than 60,000 refugees into the country.

Esme Murphy talked with Franken on WCCO Sunday Morning.

"This is the worst refugee crisis since World War II and we have to do the right thing. We are a country that does the right thing and we are stronger for it and we need to be a leader in the world," Franken said.

So far, the U.S. has admitted less than 1,000 refugees into the country. But the U.S. has contributed the largest amount of humanitarian aid to refugees in the region. The state department says that amounts to about $4 billion.

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