The Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, Arizona.
A “Draw Muhammad” cartoon contest dubbed a “Freedom of Speech Rally” is going forth Friday outside a mosque in Phoenix, Arizona, and local police have gone on high alert.
The president of the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, Usama Shami, said police and FBI agents have given him a headsup about the event, local 12 News reported. And his response?
He said free speech is part of American life, and he’s encouraged fellow Muslims to attend mosque anyway.
“Everybody has a right to be a bigot,” Shami said. “Everybody has a right to be a racist. Everybody has a right to be an idiot. … It will be the same as every Friday evening and we’re going to tell our members what we’ve told them before: not to engage them. They’re not looking for an intellectual conversation. They’re looking to stir up controversy and we’re not going to be a part of it.”
Jon Ritzheimer, the event organizer, said his whole intent is to draw attention to the radical aspects of Islam while confirming the First Amendment.
“I want this to be about pushing out the truth about Islam,” he said, 12 News reported. “I’ve read the Koran three times … the ones flying the planes into the tower, those are Muslims following the book as it is written.”
A “Freedom of Speech Rally Round II” Facebook page states: “This will be a PEACEFUL protest in front of the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix, AZ. … Everyone is encouraged to bring Amerian flags and any message that you would like to send to the known acquaintances of the 2 gunmen.”
The mosque they’re rallying outside of was attended by Phoenix roommates Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, the two men who drove to Texas and shot a security guard at the May 3 “Draw Muhammad” cartoon contest held by Pamela Geller. Simpson and Soofi attended the Phoenix mosque until 2010, local media reported.
The Facebook posting of Friday’s gathering also advises participants to “utilize [their] second amendment right at this event just in case our first amendment right comes under the much anticipated attack.”
This is the third protest Ritzheimer has held since the Garland shootings, 12 News reported.
from PropagandaGuard https://propagandaguard.wordpress.com/2015/05/29/draw-muhammad-contest-set-at-phoenix-mosque/
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