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Local peace march to support Iraqi Christians

Hundreds of Iraqi Christians and supporters marched in El Cajon Tuesday night for a peace walk against the terrorists in Iraq.

EL CAJON (CBS 8) - Hundreds of Iraqi Christians and supporters marched in El Cajon Tuesday night for a peace walk against the terrorists in Iraq.

As the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria attack religious minorities, Chaldeans in San Diego County are marching for peace.

“It's crucial that we act now. People are dying, people are being raped and killed and getting kicked out of their homes,” said Iraqi Christian Jenny Nissan.

On Tuesday, Islamic militants released a graphic video they claim shows the beheading of a missing American journalist. The extremists say it's in retribution for recent U.S. airstrikes in Iraq.

During the march people chanted, “Save Iraqi Christians.”

Kalel Jangel wept, through a translator she told CBS News 8 her family had to flee the mountains because ISIS would kidnap children,” I want them [U.S.] to provide protection for them because they are stranded they have nothing, they are left with nothing.”

She and her friend marched together in unity. San Diego County is the second largest Chaldean community in America.

An 11-year-old boy says he and his family escaped Iraq three weeks ago and are now living in El Cajon.

“The terrorists were going in and we were really scared we could die,” said Delone Adil.

Through a translator he told CBS News 8, they lived in Alqosh, a town north of Mosul and before they moved militants were forcing them to move to several villages.

Adil says he is still scared for his extended family and was inspired to march and pray in the peace walk.

“I felt very powerful. I liked it a lot and felt like I was making a difference,” said Adil.

Marches for peace are going on across the country in Michigan, Chicago and Arizona.

The United Nations is planning its biggest aid operation and planning to deliver food and water by air, land and sea to more than 500,000 people who are displaced.  

Some of the footage in the above video report was shot using a GoPro camera.

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