Two very different visions of America emerged in the cold in downtown Lancaster Saturday afternoon over the Syrian refugee issue.

Rallies for and against refugees ended up in a peaceful — though sometimes punctuated by loud shout-downs — face-off on busy East King Street.

Kevin Ressler of Lancaster, one of the rally organizers, said Syrian refugees follow a long script of immigration to the United States that “made us, as a people, so beautifully diverse.”

Added Peter Schwabe-Fry, 56, a Lutheran pastor from Lancaster, “We are proud to have (Syrian refugees) in our community. It’s not only a loving thing to do, it’s also part of our American heritage.”

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There was a strong police presence at the rally but they only had to intervene a couple times, warning people in shouting matches on opposite sides of the street to not spill into the street.

Organizers for both rallies had urged participants to be peaceful and respectful, and only engage in private conversations to make views known.

But pro-refugee participants sometimes drowned out speakers on the other side of the street with chants such as “We want refugees!” and “We are all refugees,” and once, “Boring!”

That prompted one flag-draped man on the other side of the street to turn and yell, “You are all traitors.”

The event ended after nearly three hours with some civil dialogue between the sides.

After the event, Sheila Mastropietro, Lancaster office director of Church World Service, issued this statement: "The actions today by a small crowd outside the CWS Lancaster office are unacceptable, and stand in contrast to everything that we hold dear as Americans. Those touting anti-refugee bigotry and hate will never speak for our community, as was clear by the hundreds of counter demonstrators lining E. King Street, and South and North Shippen Streets holding signs espousing welcome and hospitality for newcomers.

"The United States, and Lancaster County, has a long and proud history of welcoming refugees who have fled persecution and war. By supporting refugees in the Lancaster community, we at CWS affirm the moral fortitude of past generations of refugees and individuals who have welcomed refugees into their neighborhoods and homes.

"CWS is committed to providing refugees of all faith traditions the opportunity to begin a new life after years of persecution and tragedy. Since our founding nearly 70 years ago and continuing today, we have been witness to thousands of congregations, individuals and organizations reaching out and stepping up to welcome refugees. The callous and hateful actions of a few individuals in no way represent the caring and true community that Lancaster continues to be for us all."