“I think of my neighbor who recently moved here from Syria,” said Liam Yesko of Baltimore. “In December she brought over a candy cane and said ‘Merry Christmas.’ These are just average Americans trying to integrate into our society, and sadly there are so many people who won’t let them.”

As the President concluded his speech inside, he stressed the importance of finding common ground amongst all Americans.

“Just as all Americans have a responsibility to reject discrimination, Muslims have a responsibility to reject extremist ideologies,” Obama said. “After more than 200 years, our blended heritage is our country’s greatest strength.”