Counterprotests outnumber anti
An anti-Muslim activist group held marches in about two dozen cities across the country on Saturday to protest Islamic law. Although Act for America said the marches were specifically in opposition to Shariah law, the self-described grassroots organization with a focus on national security has been labeled as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Although the organization insists it doesn’t oppose discrimination, it is clear that its protests gather together people who are opposed to Islam in principle. “I don’t believe Islam can peacefully coexist with the Constitution,” said a protester in Seattle. “I’m not going to tell them they can come here and take away my Second Amendment right. We need unity in this country under no ideology and no banner except the Constitution of the United States of America.”
AdvertisementAt the March Against Sharia in #Chicago a woman holds up a sign that reads "Muhammad Was A Pedophile" #CounterActHate pic.twitter.com/TDmtLFhvgx
— Hatewatch (@Hatewatch) June 10, 2017
When the group’s supporters took to the streets on Saturday, they found they were hugely outnumbered by counterprotesters in several cities. In New York, for example, the “anti-Shariah” rally involved about three dozen people, while counterprotesters numbered in the hundreds. “Fascists out of NYC,” read a banner carried by the counterprotesters. The anti-Muslim demonstrators derided the counterprotesters as out-of-touch elites. If you feel unsafe “walking around in a hijab, try being a conservative on a college campus,” Pax Hart, who organized the New York march, said. “We’re here protecting their rights, and they’re trying to shut us down! It’s insane!” Counterprotesters banged on pots and made other noise to try to drown out the anti-Shariah rally. “The theme of today is drowning out racism,” said counterprotester Tony Murphy. “The more racists get a platform, the more people get attacked.”
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AdvertisementIn Seattle, the counterprotest dubbed “Seattle Stands With Our Muslim Neighbors” was far larger than the anti-Shariah demonstration.
Advertisement AdvertisementGreat protest march today opposing the anti-Sharia gathering by a few dozen ppl in Seattle. We numbered hundreds at least. pic.twitter.com/SiBjDJ5tME
— Eric Lagally Ⓥ (@elagally) June 10, 2017
In St. Paul, Minnesota, a few people were detained when fights broke out at the Capitol, where dueling rallies were held. About 100 people got together inside the Capitol rotunda to hear to speeches about how Islamic law is a threat to democracy. There were three times as many counterprotesters outside.
Advertisement Advertisement AdvertisementFights break out during "anti sharia" march, counterprotest at Minnesota State Capitol https://t.co/RleEkOyhyK Photos: @floresliz12 pic.twitter.com/VxBbwtEwpZ
— Star Tribune (@StarTribune) June 10, 2017
In Chicago, about 30 people demonstrated against Shariah while around twice as many people participated in a counterprotest held across the street.
AdvertisementAbout 20 participants in Chicago's "March Against Sharia" today were met by 200 counter-protesters chanting messages of support for Muslims. pic.twitter.com/ZXc3gjz0dq
— The Chicago Reporter (@ChicagoReporter) June 10, 2017
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, there was tension on the steps of the State Capitol, where a similar number of protesters and counterprotesters faced off. More than a dozen members of the anti-government Oath Keepers were present, mostly carrying handguns, to provide security for the event.
AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementMembers of the anti-Muslim hate group Soldiers of Odin attend March Against Sharia in #Harrisburg #counterACThate pic.twitter.com/FtF9EkzcPL
— Hatewatch (@Hatewatch) June 10, 2017
Act for America has been obsessed with Shariah law and began a campaign against it in 2008. Its highly effective grassroots campaign has resulted in more than 13 states introducing bills to ban Shariah law even though there would be clear constitutional constraints to somehow making religious law supersede U.S. law. Meanwhile, hate cries against Muslims have been on the rise. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said in May that the number of anti-Muslim incidents surged 57 percent last year compared with 2015. This isn’t limited to the United States. Anti-Muslim hate crimes soared in London after the terrorist attack earlier this month.
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