Anti-refugee protesters descend on Montana Capitol

HELENA, Mont. – A group opposed to granting safe haven to Muslim refugees staged a rally that drew nearly 100 demonstrators to the Montana Capitol.

A series of speakers at Monday’s event warned against what they consider a security threat if the United States allows refuges to pour in from violence-torn regions of the Middle East.

About a dozen counter-demonstrators attended the event at the steps of the Capitol.

It is the third demonstration in the past two months by a group that operates under the banner “American Security Rally of Montana.” Members of the group said they were particularly concerned about refugees from Syria.

They said they had invited Gov. Steve Bullock, Attorney General Tim Fox and other elected officials to speak at the rally, but none attended.