5 Oct, 2015
Mosques in U.S. Urged to Take Added Safety Measures Prior to Extremist Anti-Islam Rallies Oct 10
WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/4/15 – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged Muslim community leaders to consider instituting additional safety measures in response to hate rallies by possibly armed anti-Muslim extremists targeting mosques nationwide on October 10.
[NOTE: October 9 has also been mentioned online as a date for the hate rallies.]
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Anti-Muslim Protests Scheduled Nationwide: ‘Global Rally for Humanity’ Calls On Demonstrations In Front Of Mosques Across US Cities
Anti-Muslim Protests Scheduled in Front of Mosques Including Atlanta, Huntsville, Murfreesboro
Anti-Muslim “Global Rally for Humanity” Stands in Contrast to Events Promoting Coexistence
CAIR’s alert states:
“Media reports and monitoring of anti-Muslim hate sites indicate that a small group of anti-Muslim extremists with a history of violent rhetoric are attempting to organize hate rallies outside a number of mosques across the nation on October 10.
“Organizers of the hate rallies have indicated that participants in states with open carry laws may be armed and that provocations such as the use of live pigs and Quran desecrations may occur.
“The anti-Islam rallies come at a time of increased hate-motivated crimes and bias incidents nationwide targeting persons and property associated, or perceived to be associated, with Islam and the American Muslim community.
“Many of these planned rallies may not take place, or they may consist of only a handful of people shouting slurs at worshipers. But given the recent endorsement of Islamophobia by national public figures, it would only be prudent for mosque and community leaders to prepare for any eventuality.”
CAIR recommends that community leaders immediately:
1. Alert local law enforcement authorities to the possibility of a hate rally outside the mosque and request advice about the best way to protect worshipers against possibly armed protesters.
2. Request a stepped up police presence on October 9 (Jummah) and on October 10, the day of the nationwide hate rallies. (For a fee, many local police departments will provide officers to be present at a facility during services.)
3. Inform community members about the issue and urge them not to be provoked by any hate rhetoric or actions. (Do not engage in a debate or become angry; you do not want to escalate the situation.)
4. Ask local elected and public officials to issue statements condemning this campaign of religious intimidation.
5. Ask local interfaith partners, police and officials to be present at the mosque as a show of support.
6. Prepare signs rejecting hate speech and promoting mutual understanding and religious diversity to be used in any counter-protest.
7. Take video of the entire hate protest. Anyone taking video of the hate rally should not get too close to or interact with the participants.
8. Immediately report any threatening or potentially-violent actions by the hate rally participants to police.
9. Report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR’s Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or civilrights@cair.com.
10. Consider scheduling a town hall meeting to discuss the issue of growing Islamophobia and the need for community peace building.
Community leaders are also being asked to implement long-term safety measures outlined in CAIR’s booklet, “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety,” which was published in response to previous attacks on American mosques.
A free copy of the booklet may be requested by going to: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html
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