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Rep. Loretta Sanchez Clarifies Comment On Muslims And Terror

BUENA PARK (AP) — A California congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate is trying to settle an uproar over comments she made about Muslims and terrorism.

Democrat Loretta Sanchez suggested in an interview with Larry King last week that as many as two of 10 Muslims want to establish a strict Islamic state in any way possible and are "willing to use ... terrorism."

The comments were condemned by Muslim-American and immigrant-rights groups.

Speaking in Buena Park Monday, Sanchez said estimates show up to 20 percent of Muslims worldwide support, or are sympathetic to, the use of terrorism by the Islamic State or other radical groups.

She says she didn't say up 20 percent of Muslims are personally willing to engage in terrorism.

She says her estimates came from mainstream academic and research sources.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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