Crowds gather for anti-Islam demonstration outside Phoenix mosque

[Doctor Amadeus]

PHOENIX (Reuters) - About 75 protesters, some armed, gathered on Friday in Arizona outside a mosque for an anti-Islam demonstration featuring cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, weeks after a similar event in Texas came under attack from two gunmen.

The event outside the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, targeted in part because the two Texas gunmen had worshipped there, was organized by an Iraq war veteran who posted photos of himself online wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Fuck Islam" on it and waving the U.S. flag.

"This is in response to the recent attack in Texas," organizer Jon Ritzheimer wrote on his Facebook page, suggesting demonstrators should come with weapons in case the First Amendment "comes under much anticipated attack."

Outside the mosque, amid a high police presence, demonstrators shouted condemnations of Islam, calling it a "religion of murderers," while about 130 counter-protesters assembled, some chanting, "Love your neighbor."

More than 900 people responded on the event's Facebook page that they would take part in the demonstration, and by 6 p.m. local time (0100 GMT on Saturday) police were expanding their presence in anticipation of growing crowds. Officers with riot helmets and gas masks formed a cordon for several blocks.

http://news.yahoo.com/crowds-gather-...011347916.html


I think people should have the right to protest, and draw Mohammed, but I am not sure about this situation, I really rather not support hate. At the same time, I don't want to support or defend religion. What do you think?

[Alvito]

It is a freedom of speech rally or that is what they are saying. Not anti Muslim or anything else. Maybe not the best way to do it since they are telling people to come armed.

[tj119]

I think they are trying to get a radical islamist to do something so they have more ammo to bash them. Basically trying to quicken the inevitable I guess.

[smackyslap]

yeah free speech and all but when they do this I can't help but think of Westboro Baptist Church.

[theostrichsays]

http://news.yahoo.com/crowds-gather-...011347916.html
I think people should have the right to protest, and draw Mohammed, but I am not sure about this situation, I really rather not support hate. At the same time, I don't want to support or defend religion. What do you think?

I really struggle with stuff like this, because I honestly feel that the ratio of 1st Amendment and hoping to bait extremist isn't 99%-1% I think it is much more 10% - 90%.

[Doctor Amadeus]

It is a freedom of speech rally or that is what they are saying. Not anti Muslim or anything else. Maybe not the best way to do it since they are telling people to come armed.

Yeah the same thing, I don't defend either. Would trying to break it up be confirming some fucked up beliefs they already have?

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I really struggle with stuff like this, because I honestly feel that the ratio of 1st Amendment and hoping to bait extremist isn't 99%-1% I think it is much more 10% - 90%.

Yeah, and Summer hasn't even started yet, wondering how much crazy we will see this summer.

[Nachturnal]

It's a rally of irony. Just watching the video at the bottom of the link with Anderson Cooper, I couldn't help but laugh.

Everyone is allowed to practice and believe in whatever sky daddy they want. Except when nutty Christians claiming themselves "True Americans" say so. The constitution only means anything when it's to serve your own personal agenda, oh but them other folks? Nah nah!

[Nihilist74]

I don't like Muslims who kill people for making Mohamed cartoons but I hate this douchebag just as much. he's probably a redneck homophobe who doesn't care about anybody's rights but his own.

[Hooked]

I wouldn't attend a rally like that, its kind of weird.

[Post]

This seems really pointless, if you're going to protest at least have a goal in mind that can actually come of it.

[melodramocracy]

Sort of a reverse Westboro approach. Hopefully it gets ignored by all in the area.

[Conspicuous Cultist]

As long as they aren't shooting up the mosque then I couldn't care any less, in fact they're taking the high road compared to what they tend to do.

[Crissi]

I think they're being gigantic assholes, but they have a right to do so.

[Nekosom]

Sort of a reverse Westboro approach. Hopefully it gets ignored by all in the area.

There's nothing reverse about it. This is pretty much the exact same thing. Christian wackos attempting to antagonize others.

[Independent voter]

Local paper had a nice write up.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/...sque/28136557/

A large group of counter protesters held signs reading "Love not Hate," as others waved American flags and one man ripped the Quran in half.

Counter protesters wearing blue lined the side closest to the mosque. They said they came from Redemption Church in Tempe and wore the color to be a peaceful presence.

Few people showed up for the mosque's scheduled prayer service.

A Facebook event organized by Jon Ritzheimer for the demonstration had about 1,300 people who said they would attend Friday evening -- many more than were in attendance -- but Phoenix police were out in force to provide security near the mosque. Ritzheimer said Friday that he was :hoping to inspire more freedom of speech rallies."

"This is not about me," he said. "This is about freedom of speech across America"

Nearly as many people responded to an event asking social media users to post using the hashtags #NotMyAmerica and #PhxMosque to show solidarity with the Muslim community.

Usama Shami, president of the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix near Interstate 17 and Glendale Avenue, said before the planned protest Friday afternoon that the event was about intimidation.

"Ignore people who try to provoke you," he said. "Say 'peace' and walk away."

Shami echoed what Arizona Muslim leaders said Friday morning, that the demonstration is an extension of the larger anti-Muslim sentiment that exists in America, much of it violent.

Organizers of the demonstration have encouraged attendees to come armed "just in case our First Amendment comes under much anticipated attack."

[Hooked]

It's a rally of irony. Just watching the video at the bottom of the link with Anderson Cooper, I couldn't help but laugh.

Everyone is allowed to practice and believe in whatever sky daddy they want. Except when nutty Christians claiming themselves "True Americans" say so. The constitution only means anything when it's to serve your own personal agenda, oh but them other folks? Nah nah!

Pamela Gellar is jewish not Christian.

[Dextroden]

So find the biggest Christian church there and protest it. Anyone speaks up, free speech.

[tj119]

There's nothing reverse about it. This is pretty much the exact same thing. Christian wackos attempting to antagonize others.

Better Christian wackos antagonizing people than Muslim wackos beheading and bombing people.

[Kudos]

One thing I have learnt, being a teacher in a multi-cultural school, is that, 'yes', Islam is religion of peace. I supervise Islam scripture, and their teacher is a wonderful person. She teaches them about the pillars of Islam, including charity, prayer and putting their god first.

I think, if any protests should be made, it should be calling for greater condemnation from Islam against radical Islamist attacks. We want to see more Sheiks condemning extremism, ISIL and promote what the Qu'ran and their prophets teach about love.

[Crissi]

One thing I have learnt, being a teacher in a multi-cultural school, is that, 'yes', Islam is religion of peace. I supervise Islam scripture, and their teacher is a wonderful person. She teaches them about the pillars of Islam, including charity, prayer and putting their god first.

I think, if any protests should be made, it should be calling for greater condemnation from Islam against radical Islamist attacks. We want to see more Sheiks condemning extremism, ISIL and promote what the Qu'ran and their prophets teach about love.

...except plenty of them do that. How many would count as "plenty" according to the critisizers of Islam? 100? 1000? 10000? WHen CHristians act like idiots, we dont continuously demand all Christians say they're sorry...