Marquette University students took time out of their studies to pray for victims of the Paris attacks and to learn more about ISIS and the Syrian refugee crisis.
“We want to pray for all victims of terror around the world,” said Marquette University President Michael Lovell. "We pray for the comfort and hope for their families and friends.”
Dozens held candles inside the Alumni Memorial Union to pray for Paris and other victims of terrorism.
Students are also keenly aware of the political debate over Syrian refugees.
“When it comes to the refugee issue I think its unfortunate we are discriminating against them, based on their religion,” said Salma Jamal, a senior at Marquette.
Also on the Marquette Campus Tuesday night was the former US Ambassador to Syria under President Obama, Robert Ford, a supporter of the US taking Syrian refugees.
“The scale of human catastrophe requires extraordinary steps and that human catastrophe has not abated since Paris, said Ford.
He advocates more screening to bring in 100,000 Syrian refugees saying they are fleeing violence not perpetuating it.
“It's going to require more resources, it's a labor intensive process, it can be done,” said Ford.
But Governor Walker sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry repeating his opposition to Syrian refugees coming to Wisconsin, saying “We will make all efforts to ensure that Syrian Refugees are not resettled within the boundaries of our state."
House Speaker Paul Ryan agrees:
“This is a moment where it’s better to be safe than to be sorry,” said Ryan.” So we think the prudent, the responsible thing is to take a pause in this particular aspect of this refugee program in order to verify that terrorist are not trying to infiltrate the refugee population.”
Wisconsin is one of 31 states trying to keep Syrian immigrants out.
