Video: Fear, Anger At New York Anti-Trump Rally

Human rights activists gather to protest Donald Trump's recent comments on banning Muslims from entering the U.S. Natasha Howitt reports.

Video Transcript:

Hundreds gathered in New York City to condemn Donald Trump's call to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States.

Protester Radwa Elshafey said the Republican presidential candidate's statement instilled fear.

"At one point they're not regulations and more of putting fear into the Arab community and the Muslim community for reasons that aren't exactly fair. These terrorist groups aren't what Islam represents, they're nothing close to what the religion represents and it's something that needs to be brought awareness to."

The crowd outside Trump's hotel say they stand in solidarity with Syrian and Iraqi refugees.

Hussam Al Roustom arrived in the U.S. as a refugee four months ago after fleeing the war-torn Syrian city of Homs.

"We are here to say that we, as Syrians and Muslims, are preachers of peace. We are not preachers of terrorism. ISIS is a terrorist organization, they don't represent us nor are they a religious organization."

Trump's statement has drawn widespread criticism both at home and abroad.

It came in response to deadly shootings in San Bernardino, California, last week, in which a married Muslim couple killed 14 people. Islamic State militants, who have claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks around the world, have said the couple were its followers.

The group controls large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and is being targeted by the U.S. and its allies in airstrikes.

Syria's four-year civil war has killed an estimated 250,000 people, and driven more than 11 million from their homes.

- Reuters/Natasha Howitt