MPAC Hosts National Call with FBI, DOJ & Muslim Leaders on Upcoming Anti-Muslim Protests

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Posted Oct 6, 2015      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version
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MPAC Hosts National Call with FBI, DOJ & Muslim Leaders on Upcoming Anti-Muslim Protests

by MPAC


Yesterday, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) coordinated a nationwide conference call between the FBI, Department of Justice and American Muslim leaders to discuss the threat level of anti-Muslim protests scheduled later this week at Islamic centers across the country.

The demonstrations, referred to online as the “Global Rally for Humanity,” are organized by a loose network of anti-Muslim extremists who are calling on fellow “patriots” to “take back the Republic” from “Muslim colonization.” The protests – some of which may be armed—will take place on Oct. 9 and 10 in front of at least 20 mosques, community centers and government offices, according to media reports.

During the conference call, officials from the FBI and Department of Justice:

- Advised community members to reach out to their local law enforcement offices beforehand to keep lines of communication open and to coordinate any additional support needed with security on the days of the planned protests.
- Suggested for congregants to be “good witnesses” and document the events by putting into place proper security and monitoring systems.
- Assured community leaders that if law enforcement received any information about specific threats, that they would be informed as quickly as the information came in.
- Advised the Muslim community to use its best judgment when determining whether to engage protestors.
- While we respect the right for even anti-Muslim extremists to protest, the safety and security of our nation is paramount. Given the history of violent and extremist rhetoric from those organizing the rallies, it is critical that Muslim communities across the country connect with law enforcement officials to discuss the best way to protect themselves against possible incidents of violence.

In situations like these, information is power and we need our communities to be aware and prepared. Please take precaution and read our community safety tip sheet.

SEE ALSO: - compiled by Sheila Musaji

5 Ways Mosques Can Respond to Anti-Muslim Demonstrations, Paul Galloway http://muslimmatters.org/2015/10/05/5-ways-mosques-can-respond-to-anti-muslim-demonstrations/
5 Ways American Muslims Can Respond to Anti-Muslim Protests, Qasim Rashid http://www.huffingtonpost.com/qasim-rashid/the-5-ways-american-musli_b_8244966.html
Anti-Muslim Protests Scheduled Nationwide: ‘Global Rally For Humanity’ Calls On Demonstrations In Front Of Mosques Across US Cities, Michael Kaplan http://www.ibtimes.com/anti-muslim-protests-scheduled-nationwide-global-rally-humanity-calls-demonstrations-2120625
Anti-Muslim “Global Rally for Humanity” Stands in Contrast to Events Promoting Coexistence http://bridge.georgetown.edu/anti-muslim-global-rally-for-humanity-stands-in-contrast-to-events-promoting-coexistence/
Anti-Muslim protests ‘Global Rally for Humanity’ planned in front of mosques, cities include Huntsville, Atlanta, Murfreesboro http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/10/anti-muslim_protests_global_ra.html
Anti-Muslim protests—some armed—planned for at least 20 sites across the country, Kalia Abiade http://imagine2050.newcomm.org/2015/09/29/anti-muslim-protests-some-armed-planned-for-at-least-20-sites-across-the-country/
‘Global Rally For Humanity’: Planned Anti-Islam Protests Spark Calls For Extra Mosque Security By Muslim Civil Rights Group, Ismat Sarah Mangla http://www.ibtimes.com/global-rally-humanity-planned-anti-islam-protests-spark-calls-extra-mosque-security-2127381
Hateful anti-Islam rally returning to Phoenix, EJ Montini http://www.azcentral.com/story/ej-montini/2015/10/06/montini-protest-mosque-anti-islam-phoenix/73431424/
How Interfaith Activists Will Counter This Week’s Anti-Muslim Rallies, Carol Kuruvilla http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-interfaith-activists-will-counter-this-weeks-anti-muslim-rallies_5612dfcce4b0baa355ace8c8
HOW THE CANDIDATES, THE HATERS, AND THE MEDIA HAVE COOKED UP A PERFECT STORM OF ISLAMOPHOBIA, David Neiwert https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2015/10/02/how-candidates-haters-and-media-have-cooked-perfect-storm-islamophobia#.VhM3hrg9wjN.twitter
Rally Invites ‘Fellow Patriots, Veterans, Bikers, Rednecks And Good Ol’ Boys’ To Anti-Islam Protest, Jack Jenkins http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/10/06/3709728/american-muslims-brace-for-protests/

And, following a number of previous anti-Muslim demonstrations at mosques across the country, and the foiling of a number of plots, concerns are being raised about the increased right-wing threats to American Muslims: — The FBI Believes Militia Extremists Are Beginning to Target Muslim InstitutionsFBI Intelligence Bulletin: Militia Extremists Expand Target Sets To Include Muslims‘Enlightened’ USA: FBI warns of right wing militia attacks against Muslims‘Likelihood for blood will be high’: Anti-Muslim militia man threatens bloodshed at October Farrakhan rallyPhoenix’s Jon Ritzheimer plans global anti-Islam protest on 10/10/2015Australian police to monitor 10/10 protests at mosques

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