The anti-Islam rallies planned nationwide is being seen as further evidence of the growing cooperation between white supremacist, neo-Nazi, anti-government, and Islamophobic hate groups, says the Council on American Islamic Relations.
The leading sponsor of the rallies, Brigitte Gabriel’s ACT for America, has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The SPLC has named "Brigitte Gabriel" as a member of the nation's "Anti-Muslim Inner Circle."
Gabriel has argued that, “America is at stage two Islamic Cancer.” She believes “every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim,” a Muslim “cannot be a loyal citizen of the United States,” and that Arabs “have no soul.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes ACT for America as the “largest grass roots anti-Muslim group in America,” claiming more than 525,000 members and 1,000 chapters.
“Act for America is a hate group. Period. Its rallies are hate marches. Full stop,” said Corey Saylor, director of CAIR’s Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia. “We encourage all Americans who value religious freedom and reject bigotry to take part in peaceful and lawful local activities challenging these hate rallies.”
While the ACT events are set to attract a number of white nationalists and others, their acceptance of neo-Nazi Billy Roper — an outspoken racist for years— is telling. ACT has come under fire already this year for the extremism of its members. Allowing Roper to organize one of the March Against Sharia events is yet another example of the figures ACT embraces.
Roper indicated that he was on a recent call for rally leaders, which was organized by ACT. He also divulged that a number of anti-government figures were also on the call. He called the conference call “productive.” Roper said he has been organizing his event for weeks, calling it a “stand against Muslim immigration.”
CAIR said it is assisting local communities in responding to the hate rallies with peaceful educational events and activities focused on promoting mutual understanding and challenging bigotry.
“Act for America is a hate group. Period. Its rallies are hate marches. Full stop,” said Corey Saylor, director of CAIR’s Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia. “We encourage all Americans who value religious freedom and reject bigotry to take part in peaceful and lawful local activities challenging these hate rallies.”
What is alarming is the convergence of hate groups -- white nationalists, Nazis, the KKK and anti-government groups -- that seem to be working in coordination with each other.
While the ACT events are set to attract a number of white nationalists and others, their acceptance of neo-Nazi Billy Roper — an outspoken racist for years— is telling. ACT has come under fire already this year for the extremism of its members. Allowing Roper to organize one of the March Against Sharia events is yet another example of the figures ACT embraces.
Roper indicated that he was on a recent call for rally leaders, which was organized by ACT. He also divulged that a number of anti-government figures were also on the call. He called the conference call “productive.” Roper said he has been organizing his event for weeks, calling it a “stand against Muslim immigration.”
In previous marches organized by the hate groups, counter protestors have shown up and sometimes resulting in violence between the two groups. Police departments in several of the cities are bracing for the violence that might occur.
CAIR said it is assisting local communities in responding to the hate rallies with peaceful educational events and activities focused on promoting mutual understanding and challenging bigotry.
[NOTE: To learn more about local responses to the hate rallies, contact the nearest CAIR chapter by going to: http://www.cair.com/cair-chapters.html]
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