New York, September 13 (RHC)-- A group of peace activists gathered in the U.S. city of New York to denounce President Barack Obama's plan to launch airstrikes in Syria in the name of fighting ISIL terrorism.

The anti-war protest, held on Friday in Times Square, was organized by the International Action Center.  Syrian-Americans, Iraqi-Americans, peace activists and trade unionists participated in the rally.

The plan to attack ISIL targets in Syria is the “biggest mistake” and “another failure for the Obama administration,” Khaloun Makhoul, a Syrian-American, told Press TV.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday authorized airstrikes against ISIL bases in Syria.  The U.S. military has already conducted more than 150 airstrikes against ISIL targets in neighboring Iraq.

The protesters said the money spent on U.S. militarism should instead be used to fund jobs, housing, education and other social needs in the United States.

The protesters said that they represent a large section of U.S. society, which is opposed to further military intervention around the world.