Regina rallies against U.S. Muslim travel ban

Described on Facebook as an "Emergency Solidarity Rally against the U.S. Muslim Ban", a large number of people turned up in Regina's Victoria Park over the supper hour on Wednesday.

Most were holding signs condemning Donald Trump's travel ban directed towards several Muslim-majority countries.

The U.S. President's executive order last week affects visitors from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen from entering the United States for the next ninety days.

Chelsea Flook was one of the organizers of Wednesday's rally in downtown Regina.

"We're here in opposition to the Muslim ban, we are also here because this does affect Canadians," said Flook before leading the crowd on a march to city hall.

"We're hoping to send a couple signals one is to Justin Trudeau that we want to see a variety of policies changed, we need to revoke the Safe Third Country Agreement," which is part of the U.S.- Canada Smart Border Action Plan.

Flook says they were also hoping to catch the attention of local politicians.

"We need Regina to consider becoming a sanctuary city, there's steps we can take in opposition to these moves here and we want to send a strong signal to the broader Muslim community that we are with them and not okay with things like this."

One of the demonstrators was Maria Aman of Regina. She hoped the rally sent a message that there are large groups of people in the community that care about what's going on down south.

"I think it's ridiculous, I think it's so sad and it's just causing so much unnecessary hostility and anger between so many people that are just trying to live their lives," said Aman.

"Given what's going on in the United States and what just happened in Quebec, we wanted to come together and stand in solidarity for the people that are suffering and being affected by this Muslim ban in the states and all the divisiveness that's been going on."