Florida Pastor's Rally Ends After Brief Fracas

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posted on: Apr 30, 2011

Quran-burning Pastor Terry Jones had his say in Dearborn. Few appeared to hear him.

Thunderous boos from a crowd of about 700 protesters drowned out much of his speech Friday afternoon at Dearborn City Hall. The 90-minute event momentarily erupted into chaos when Jones and several dozen of his supporters approached a metal barricade around City Hall and engaged his opponents

A crowd of at least 50 people surged across Michigan Avenue, breaking a barricade, throwing water bottles and shoes. Riot police restored order within minutes and took at least two people into custody.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly Jr. said Jones is partly to blame. “Even though we said, ‘Please don’t go to the barricades,’ he just ignored it,” O’Reilly said. “My assessment is this is a man without character.”

Jones said he approached the barricade to recite the Pledge of Allegiance with opponents, but witnesses said the pastor appeared to egg them on, opening his palms in a provocative manner.

Before leaving shortly after the fracas, Jones told reporters: “We’re definitely coming back.” He didn’t say when, but added he wished the crowd had listened to more of what he had said.

O’Reilly said Jones had his say and would only be grandstanding if he returns.

“This is not man of great depth,” O’Reilly said. “We saw the extent of his knowledge today. If he comes back and gets coverage by the media, then shame on the media.”

For most of the speech, Jones and his supporters were separated from the throng of opponents by barricades and Michigan Avenue. When he took the dais about 5:15 p.m., Jones delivered a speech that some might consider religiously, racially and ethnically offensive.

“Islam. Islam, Islam …the Quran ….does not recognize human rights and civil rights,” Jones said.

Jones took aim at President Barack Obama, calling him a “liar” and saying that he did not go to school in Indonesia.

“President Obama is the worst president in the United States of America,” Jones said.

The pastor also continued on his contention that Sharia law, or Islamic law, is being practiced in the United States. But much of his speech and those of about 20 supporters was difficult to hear, drowned out by shouting from opponents, a muddled public-address system and honking horns.

Drivers and passengers in cars on Michigan Avenue waved shoes at Jones, an act of disrespect in Arab and Muslim cultures. Others made obscene gesture and shouted “go home!”

Among the opponents was Frank Godek of Dearborn.

“He’s a Bible-carrying hypocrite,” Godek said. “He wants to burn someone else’s holy book. I’m a Polish Catholic and I have a lot of Arab and Muslim friends. They are good people.”

The rally comes one week after his planned protest of the Islamic Center of America was canceled because he was hauled in court and briefly jailed. Jones told reporters he’s no racist and believes the Bible’s message that everyone is created equal. He said today’s rally will include a protest of President Barack Obama.

Jones gained worldwide notoriety for threatening to burn a Quran to protest a planned Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero last year. He is blamed for more than a dozen deaths in Afghanistan after footage of his Dove World Outreach Center church burning a Quran in March was posted on the Internet.

Prior to the event, Jones said he had no plans to burn a Quran today. He followed through on the pledge. Earlier today, Police Chief Ronald Haddad said his department was prepared for the rally. Police officers from nearby departments also were at the scene.

“We have an ample presence out here,” Haddad said. “We’ve got the situation fully under control.”

Although the vast majority of crowds opposed Jones, he had some supporters.

Randy Davis, 57, rode his Kawasaki Vulcan 900 up from his hometown of Maybee near Monroe, to show his support for the pastor’s constitutional right to speak.

“I’m not here because of his beliefs or what he’s saying,” said Davis, who served more than 20 years in the Marine Corps. “I’m here because they violated his First Amendment rights and he needs my support.”

Carolyn Van Zorge, 59, had drove in from New York to hear Jones.

“I think many people are well aware that there is radical Islam, and I do support him with that message.”

Jones originally wanted to demonstrate last Friday outside the Islamic Center of America on Ford Road. He says officials violated his constitutional right of free speech when prosecutors hauled him into 19th District Court on claims the protest would likely breach the peace.

A 19th District Court jury agreed, and Jones was jailed for about an hour after refusing to pay a $1 peace bond. Several civil liberties groups condemned the action, and Jones’ attorneys have since filed notice of an appeal.

Despite urgings of Muslim leaders to ignore Jones, crowds began gathering about 4:30 p.m. and swelled as the rally proceeded.

Imad Hamad, the Michigan regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, came to city hall at 3 p.m. to see if there were people on hand and to make a last-minute appeal for them to stay away.

“There is not need at all,” said Hamad, referring to people who insist on coming. “Mr. Jones is not willing to hear from the other side.”

But that did not deter Monther Jaber, a Dearborn resident and Muslim who decided to stay at the protest.

“I’m here to invite him to Allah,” he said, holding a book called “A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam.” “I would ask him to try to understand Islam. Muslims are peaceful people. It’s inappropriate to address something he doesn’t understand.”

Roxanne McDonald, 45,of Dearborn,wore American flag earrings and carried a sign that stated knowledge and respect would conquer intolerance and bigotry.

“The best thing would be to ignore him,” she said. “But I couldn’t just stay home.”

Rabih Elkadri, 41, of Dearborn, stood among protesters across the street from City Hall, holding a Quaran in one hand and a Bible in the other.

“I’m a Muslim,” Elkadri said. “I respect the Holy Book,” referring to the Quran. “And I respect the other holy book. We’re united: the Bible and Koran.”

About Jones’ speech, Elkadri said: “Enough is enough. He’s looking for media attention. He got that.”

Oralandar Brand-Williams, Steve Pardo, Santiago Esparza
The Detroit News

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