John Mason is reporting in the Register-Star a group of protesters met outside U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson’s office in Kinderhook, Thu., Dec. 3. They assembled to protest his recent vote in support of legislation which would prevent the flow of Syrian refugees into the United States. Approximately 35 men, women, children and clergy assembled on the village green, sang Christmas carols and carried signs quoting scripture. “For those of us who follow Jesus, and are preparing to celebrate Christmas, it is a moral necessity to stand against rhetoric and policies of fear and exclusion,” said the Rev. Kathryn Bielke (Bell-KEY) of the First Presbyterian Church in Hudson. On Nov. 19, Gibson voted in favor of the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, which would impose additional requirements making entry into the U.S. for Syrian refugees nearly impossible. The bill is now in the Senate. Reached on Thursday afternoon, Gibson said the bill, supported by Republicans and 47 of the House’s 188 Democrats as well, should not have been controversial. “It requires certification from leaders to be sure the vetting process is safe,” he said. Read the full story in the Register-Star.