Four weeks ago, protesters held a “Freedom of Speech” rally at the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix and were surprisingly met by a coalition of local activist and faith-based groups who organized a strong counter-protest that drew hundreds. The counter protest practiced their right to free speech with a theme of anti-hate and tolerance. Many people shouted from both sides however the over all protest remained relatively peaceful. No arrests were made, no guns were fired, and no one was hurt. It was still quite hectic event as seen in this video:
“Rally for Free Speech” protest outside of the north Phoenix Islamic Community Center May 29th, 2015
A Tucson protest event was planned and modeled after a protest at the Phoenix Islamic Cultural Center on May 29th. The “Let Freedom Ring Freedom of Speech Rally” was organized by Dean Remington who describes himself as a retired veteran, a family man, a Christian, and a patriot who, despite feeling safe during his travels around the world, no longer feels that way. Remington who was unable to attend the Phoenix rally has legitimate fears concerning Islamic terrorist in our country. Originally, he had invited “all who would like to voice a concern that Islam is not a religion of peace and the mosques in America are indoctrination centers for Jihad” to protest “activities that threaten America and its citizens our families and economy.” Originally the Facebook event for the Tucson “Freedom of Speech Rally” description was loud and somewhat extreme. The message and information seemed to be gear at all Muslims with extreme prejudge as it said, “BRING IT ON YOU MISGUIDED FANATICS WE ARE READY TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY AGAINST YOUR ISIS AS YOU COWER IN YOUR MIDDLEEAST COUNTRIES AND RUN TO AMERICA,” and was asking for “true Americans,” “patriots,” “militias,” “motorcycle clubs,” “preppers,” and “sovereign citizens” to unify to this cause.
Like in the Phoenix protest, a similar counter protest was organized for the Tucson rally but had much more time than a week to plan. A Facebook event page was created on June 8th by Sumayyah Dawud, a Muslim and human rights activist. The description of the “Stand Up Against Hate” counter-protest said, “We must stand up to this hatred, bigotry, Islamophobia, and xenophobia anywhere it surfaces.” She continued, “We must not turn a blind eye to these hate groups . . . We must not allow these demonstrations to become a normalized and socially accepted part of society. Nobody of any religion deserves to be harassed like this at their place of prayer, worship, and study. No community deserves to be subjected to such hostility and intimidation.”
What took place after these event pages were created was basically a continuation of the dual protests at the Phoenix mosque carried out in a virtual forum. People from both sides shared information and posts from the opposing pages. The visitors often posting opposing replies to posts resulting in the most outspoken of them being blocked from the opposing event pages. Contributors from both pages continued to post actively onto the respective event pages.
The “Freedom of Speech” event page was stating that Islam as well as our local Islamic Centers will only promote a “totalitarian ideology” as well as the type of terrible terrorism seen in the Middle East. While the “Stand Up Against Hate” page questions why someone who strongly carries American values and a deep respect for our Bill of Rights would using his “freedom of speech” to prevent others from practicing their own “freedom of religion”. Sumayyah said in conclusion, “The organizer(s) of that event should title it “Let Hypocrisy Ring Rally.”
With this open and increased conversation about the scheduled rally, organizer Dean Remington updated the “Freedom of Speech” Facebook event’s description and changed the tone considerably. He thoughtfully articulated his views on the purpose of the event in saying, “This is not a protest on the ICT [Islamic Center of Tucson] or Muslims.” He added that the event was neither a “hate rally” nor an “attack on any religion of peace.”. Remington made it clear that he was not calling for attendees to bring weapons however he practices his 2nd Amendment rights at all times and stated that the right to open and concealed carry of weapons “can and will be exercised.”. The change in the event’s description does not seem to deter individuals from making Islamophobic comments, hateful gestures and even threats on the page.
The “Freedom of Speech” event page contributors did have thoughtful comments and content at times. On June 16th Remington replied to a post in saying, “We are a peaceful group and[sic] need Muslim communities on board to rid the world of ISIS and Islamic terrorism. Come understand this is America you place and mosques need to preach against these barbarians.” Videos and reports at times however were drowned out by the many contributors who wanted to share insulting memes featuring Archie Bunker, goats, many references to bacon, and other insulting and unproductive information. One of the more intelligent videos of information was posted by frequent contributor Mike Renzulli a self-professed “Objectivist” and pro-war hawk and anti-jihadist activist who writes, “This is a great video that debunks the idea that religious extremism is the result of a lack of education or poverty.”
“Why Do People Become Islamic Extremists?” – Prager University, Published on Jun 15th, 2015
Mike Renzulli who often spoke out in disagreement with some of the information that had been shared on the “Freedom of Speech” event page, is a person who criticizes religion in general for the altruism it preaches. He does respect a person’s right to belong to a religion including Islam. He says that he opposes “the efforts of Sunni Salafists and Twelver Shi’ites who seek to spread Islam by violence or deception.” He believes individuals have a right to believe what they want but have no right to impose it on others and this belief certainly applies to groups like ISIS and al-Quaeda. Mr. Renzulli is active in the conversation of Islamic terrorism and the abuse of other people is hosting his own event of the screening of the award winning ‘Honor Diaries’, a 2013 documentary film by producer Paula Kweskin that explores violence against women in honor-based societies.
Honor Diaries Screening event July 25th at 3377 E Shea Blvd Suite 2B, Phoenix, Arizona 85028
Facebook event page:
The the lager majority of posts on the “Stand Up Against Hate” rally primarily focused on organization of the event and much support send from all over the county for being outspoken against those who were grouping all Muslims as Islamic jihad terrorists. Much support, positivity and unity is seen in many of the posts on this event page while still speaking out against the “bigots” comments from the opposing event page. One of the posts from Sumayyah Dawud that was posted on June 18:
“Ramadan Mubarak. Now that we are in Ramadan, I recommend all Muslims on this page (as well as on the bigots’ event page) to avoid arguing with these islamophobes during the fasting hours. Even outside of the fasting hours, it should be limited if it is going to distract from our worship. I will try to delete any posts that are really offensive and insulting. May everyone have a most fulfilling Ramadan and thank you so much to all of the supporters here. There is so much diversity. Isn’t that what America is supposed to be all about? It is greatly appreciated. Thank you!”
On July 18th , a day before the announced cancellation of the event, “Veteran Patriot” Dean Remington did an interview on Global Freedom Radio to promote the “Freedom of Speech” protest. At the very end of the interview Dean was asked, “What are some of your takeaways that you want to make sure our audience has?” Mr. Remington’s replied, “Bottom line is you know as Americans and as patriots defending our Constitution we want to make sure the only law of the land is Constitutional law. We do welcome all religions and cultures of people and we are tolerant. I do just want to say if we are going to go head and ignore those dangers of political Islam and these mosques and different radicalizations that are happening, then we have a problem. Our immediate Government needs to do a better job at addressing this. Let’s not forget 9/11, the USS Cole, Boston Marathon, these are all things that have happened. You know the plots by radical Islamists to blow our bridges up, our infrastructure and to kill our people is very valid and it needs to be brought to the surface for everyone to understand.” The full interview is posted below.
“Veteran Patriot Dean Remington Protest Leader Defends Our Liberties” Published on July 15th, 2015
The very next day a “lone wolf” gunman, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four Marines during two attacks at military facilities in Chattanooga, TN. Fearing that in light of this national news and the possible danger to all protestors, Dean Remington posted on his event site and issued a proper press release of the cancellation of the protest rally. Remington said, “Folks today we lost AMERICAN heroes on AMERICAN soil at the hands of a ISLAMIC jihadist terrorist in Tennessee.” Being a person who questions the actions and intentions of our Government, Dean continues to say that this administration makes concessions and “pacify the threats of radical Islam”. He asks that, “we stand a troubled and unsafe nation living in fear of our safety and security.”
Remington explains the reasoning behind an immediate cancellation in saying, “In recent days I have met with some key leadership at Tucson Police and at Islamic Center Tucson. This meeting today is a turning point for many things. I was asked personally by the Imam and board of ICT to bring forward some of the documents that they are unaware of. The Project and Holy Land Foundation Trials as well as past members of the ICT tied to terrorism has always been the basis for the rally. I was welcomed positively and have delivered a message that as I said is a turning point for things to come I believe.”
Remington asks that radical Islam jihad is denounced at all levels in their mosques while providing them documents that will shared with the media and local city and state officials here in Tucson as well as with the Muslim community. He also hopes that his actions serve as a “precedence as template for many cities and states to follow.” to eliminate the potential for radicalization amongst Muslims. He follows up in saying, “I commend and thank all at the ICT who are working together and with me on this epic road ahead. I will continue to post all meetings and dialogue on a new Facebook page OPERATION OLIVE BRANCH TUCSON please look for in the upcoming days and I welcome all positive comments and suggestions.” He would like to thank everyone that has followed the event and wants to encourage everyone to get involved in his upcoming talks that he feels “are a stepping stone for Tucson and the Muslim community” in identifying all solutions to curb radicalization in our communities.
Sumayyah Dawud has been very supportive in the change in dialog stating “that Dean is true to his word and has cancelled his protest.” Assuming that people may not get the press release and or showing up anyway to “harass the ICT mosque”, she will continue to host an Anti-Hate and Anti-Violence protest near by at the southwest corner of Speedway Blvd. and Euclid Ave. at 4:00pm on Saturday July 18th. She feels this still is of great important in saying, “Hatred, bigotry, and hate-based violence in all of its many forms is a very serious issue affecting our communities. Therefore, we will meet as planned.”
Stand Up Against Hate Rally Facebook event page:
The values that our country has as the foundation in our Constitution and Bill of Rights needs to be protected by all of us. Sumayyah Dawud had the courage to organize and practice our unique right of our freedom of speech to speak the same language in protest against what she saw as an unfair assessment of all Muslims and hate. Dean Remington who was inspired to organize a protest to address fears of how radical Islam in effecting us inside our country today. Remington’s open mindedness and courage lead him to have a peaceful and productive dialog with the Islamic Center Tucson addressing his legitimate fears and concerns. In both cases it should be an inspiration to everyone to stand up to confront our most difficult problems that we are facing as a nation directly. The act of building a coalition through productive communication can only make us as Americans stronger as we protect the rights and freedoms of all.
So often religion is perverted into a belief of hate, through the promotion of a false enemy or falsehoods of the over all philosophy. It should please everybody when followers and leaders of faith get it right.
The Golden Rule shared by Christian and Muslims
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 NIV
“Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.” – Muhammad, “The Farewell Sermon”