Protesters Gather In Philly In Opposition To US Airstrikes In Syria

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)-- Protesters gathered on the steps of City Hall in opposition to the U.S. airstrikes in Syria.

The demonstrations in Philly are just some of the many planned across the country following Thursday night's missile strike.

Syrian-American Living In Pennsylvania: 'The U.S. Is Targeting The Wrong People'

Members of a large Syrian Christian community in eastern Pennsylvania were also planning to rally in opposition

Dr. Khaldoun Makhoul, a Syrian-born physician who immigrated to the United States 23 years ago, is the organizer of a planned rally in Allentown.

Syrians, Local Experts Weigh In After U.S. Missile Strike

The city has one of the nation's largest Syrian populations. They are mostly Christian and support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Makhoul says President Donald Trump made "totally and completely the wrong decision" by authorizing the missile attack on a Syrian air base in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack that U.S. officials blame on the Syrian government.

Several Killed In U.S. Military Strike Against Syrian Regime

Makhoul and other Syrians in Allentown assert that civilians were exposed to chemical weapons from a rebel arsenal hit by Syrian warplanes.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.).