A northern Illinois congressman is speaking out after recent abductions of civilians by the Islamic State.
U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren delivered a statementon the House floor this week bringing attention to the religious minorities in the Middle East murdered or taken by the Islamic State.
"These murderers want us to tremble at their physical brutality, but an even more sinister violence is at work—a sustained and strategic campaign against religious freedom. This is the God-given freedom to hold any belief—or none at all—without coercion or reprisal."
The recent wave of abductions began Monday where the Islamic State group abducted more than 200 Christian Assyrians. The group is targeting villages along a strategic river. A White House spokeswoman says the international community stands united and undeterred in its resolve to bring an end to the group's violent actions.