Map Nationwide Anti Mosque Activity

7/31/2019 Map Nationwide Anti Mosque Activity

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Map - Nationwide Anti-Mosque Activity

The controversy over the planned Park 51 community center inNew York City is only one example of opposition to mosquesand Islamic centers in the United States. Existing and proposedmosque sites across the country have been targeted forvandalism and other criminal acts, and there have been effortsto block or deny necessary zoning permits for the constructionand expansion of other facilities.

While mosque opponents frequently claim their objections arebased on practical considerations such as traffic, parking, andnoise levels, those asserted concerns are often pretextsmasking anti-Muslim sentiment. Government officials in someareas of the country have yielded to this religious bigotry,

treating mosques and Islamic centers differently than otherproposed houses of worship and/or denying zoning permitswithout the compelling interest that is required by the ReligiousLand Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (a federalcivil rights law that affords heightened legal

protection to the use of property for religious purposes). Evenwhere local governments strongly support religious freedom,private citizens nevertheless often seek to intimidate Muslimsinto forgoing the exercise of this freedom.

The Constitution guarantees the right of private citizens toprotest, and the ACLU would vigorously defend that right ifinfringed by the government. But making Muslims or anyother religious group feel unwelcome in local communitiesconflicts with our Founders' vision of religious liberty andtolerance. Protests that cross the line into violence and othercriminal acts are, of course, not protected by law and areindefensible.

Below is a map highlighting anti-mosque incidents across thecountry over the past five years. If you are aware of an anti-mosque incident not on this list, please contact us .

ARIZONA

P h o e n ix , Augu s t 20 10 : Vandals threw paint on the floor, shot out windows, and wrote anti-Muslim slurs on the walls of a local mosque.Sources:

www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/09/08/20100908phoenix-mosque-vandalized-abrk.html#ixzz0zdBKQd7w www.kpho.com/news/24935884/detail.html

Tu c s o n , Ap r i l 2 0 0 7 : Vandals ransacked a local mosque, writing "Bush was here" on one of the computer screens.Sources:

Arizona California Connecticut Florida Georgia

Illinois Kentucky Maine Maryland Michigan

Mississippi New Jersey New York North carolina Ohio

South carolina Tennessee Texas Washington Wisconsin

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Complaint, Isla m ic Cen ter of N or th Fult on v. Cit y of A lph ar ett a , Case 1:10-cv-01922-JOF (N.D. Ga. June 22, 2010)

L il b u r n , D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9 : An Islamic center filed suit after the city council refused to grant permits to build a new mosque, and local opponents made anti-Muslim comments, such as "I just don't like Muslims" and "I don't want themtaking over our neighborhood."Sources:

www.cbsatlanta.com/news/21406971/detail.html www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archives/headlines/82923102.html Complaint, A.G. A. I sla m ic Org an iza tion v . City of L ilbu rn , Case 1:09-cv-03549-TWT (N.D. Ga. Dec. 17, 2009)

ILLINOIS

Na pe r v i ll e , Apr i l 20 10 : An Islamic group filed suit against the county after being denied a permit to build a mosque;county officials asked inappropriate questions, such as whether there would be any animal sacrifices on premise; andlocal opponents falsely claimed the group has ties to terrorist organizations.Sources:

www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=371825 http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-08-26/news/ct-met-dupage-zoning-meeting-0827-20100826_1_islamic-center-zoning-proposal-islamic-group Complaint, Ir sha d L ea rn ing Cent er v . Cou nt y of Du Pag e , No. 1:10-cv-02168 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 8, 2010)

KENTUCKY

F l o r e n c e , J u n e 2 0 10 : Opponents of a proposed mosque have distributed fliers urging neighbors to "to stop thetakeover of our country," and have set up a website alleging that the mosque is "the first phase of a Master Plan."

Sources: www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010308160051 www.fox19.com/global/story.asp?s=12920148 www.fox19.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146 http://the-vigilante.com/2010/08/05/northern-kentucky-rising-stop-the-mosque/

Mayfie ld , August 2010 : The Board of Zoning Adjustments denied a permit for local Muslims to worship in a rentedstorefront, reversing the board's unanimous decision weeks earlier to grant the same permit.Sources:

www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Mayfield-to-vote-on-Mosque-Tuesday-101339299.html www.publicbroadcasting.net/wkms/news.newsmain/article/0/1/1690713

MAINE

P o r t l a n d , Au g u s t 2 0 0 9 : The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed suit when the city refused to allow a group of Muslimsto use a former television repair shop they had purchased for prayer services and religious study.

Sources: www.pressherald.com/archive/city-sued-for-barring-use-of-building-as-mosque_2009-08-13.html www.aclu.org/blog/content/mosque-maine

MARYLAND

Wa l k e r s v il le , J u n e 2 0 0 7 : The town amended its zoning ordinance in an effort to block a mosque from being built onlocal farmland.Sources:

www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307692,00.html www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_comments.htm?StoryID=100248 Mo xley v. Tow n o f W alk ers vi lle , 601 F.Supp.2d 648 (D. Md. 2009)

MICHIGAN

De t ro i t , May 20 10 : Vandals damaged a local mosque twice in one week.

Sources: www.ww4report.com/node/8625

MISSIS SIPPI

M a d i s o n , Au g u s t 2 0 0 9 : More than 300 residents signed a petition opposing the construction of a proposed mosque, with many citing fears about radical Islam.Sources:

www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/mosque_still_debated_in_madison_080309/ Mu slim s W in A pp ro va l for W at er , Se w er f or M ad ison Co. M osq ue , March 23, 2010, The Clarion-Ledger, at A5.

N E W J E R S E Y

Wa y n e , J u l y 2 0 0 6 : After stonewalling approval of a plan to build an Islamic center and mosque for three years, thetownship of Wayne attempted to exercise eminent domain over the proposed site property, prompting mosque officialsto sue.

Sources: www.strausnews.com/articles/2006/07/27/west_milford_messenger/news/8.txt Complaint, Alb an ian Ass ocia ted Fun d v . To w ns hip of W ay ne , Case No. 06-cv-3217 (D. N.J. Oct. 1, 2007)




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NEW YORK

B r ook lyn , J u l y 2 0 10 : Local residents have vowed to stop construction of a mosque in the Sheepshead Bay area, withone neighbor even threatening to bomb it.Sources:

www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/37/all_mosquegiveaway_2010_9_10_bk.html www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_some_in_nabe_fear_planned_mosque.html www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_some_in_nabe_fear_planned_mosque.html www.sheepsheadbites.com/2010/01/sheepshead-bay-mosque-controversy/

www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/27/bn_tt_baypeoplemosquerally_2010_07_02_bk.html www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_some_in_nabe_fear_planned_mosque.html www.sheepsheadbites.com/2010/07/tea-party-tries-again-another-open-letter/

C a r l t on , Augus t 2 0 10 : A group of teenagers hurled obscenities at Muslim worshippers, shot a gun outside of amosque, and sideswiped a congregant.Sources:

www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100914/NEWS01/100914001/1002/NEWS/Holley-teens-face-more-charges-in-mosque-case

www.buffalonews.com/city/article179322.ece

H u d s o n , S ep t e m b e r 2 0 1 0 : Three men spray-painted an anti-Muslim epithet on the back wall of a mosque.Sources: http://online.wsj.com/article/APebf11f7773e04470bfe7007e7b474aa1.html

www.fox23news.com/news/local/story/UPDATE-3-arrested-accused-of-vandalizing-mosque/p17W3gNh6kWfaQSFbe25TQ.cspx

M a n h a t t a n , M a y 2 0 10 : A proposed Islamic community center in Lower Manhattan drew strong opposition bothlocally and nationally; though two local governmental bodies have denied efforts to block construction of the proposedcenter, the controversy continues, and one group has filed a lawsuit to stop the center's construction.Sources:

www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/nyregion/12sept11.html www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/11/AR2010091105704.html www.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/nyregion/04mosque.html www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/nyregion/26muslim.html

S t a t en I s l a nd , Ju ly 20 10 : A Catholic church in the Midland Beach area cancelled the sale of a vacant convent to aMuslim group after local residents objected to its use as a mosque, citing terrorism concerns.Sources:

www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/proposed_midland_beach_mosque.html www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/07/no_mosque_--_convent_sale_canc.html

www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/07/a_move_on_staten_island_to_bro.html www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/another_sunday_another_protest.html www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/foes_of_midland_beach_mosque_s.html www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/staten_islanders_rail_against.html www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/nyregion/11mosque.html

NORTH CAROLINA

D u r h a m , N o ve m b e r 2 0 0 9 : A local mosque was vandalized three times in one year and worshippers were told to "goto hell."Sources:

www.newsobserver.com/2009/11/04/174919/durham-mosque-is-vandalized.html

O H I O

C in c i n n a t i , D e ce m b e r 2 0 0 5 : Two pipe bombs were detonated outside of a local mosque.

Sources: www.wlwt.com/news/22020552/detail.html

SOUTH CAROLINA

Tay lo r s , Au g us t 200 9 : Vandals scratched "death to Muslims" into a sidewalk leading into the mosque.Sources:

www.foxcarolina.com/news/20562663/detail.html

TENNESSEE

An t i o c h , J u n e 2 0 10 : Opponents of a proposed mosque organized a petition in an effort to dissuade a property ownerfrom selling to an Islamic group.Sources:

www.wsmv.com/news/24072307/detail.html www.wkrn.com/global/story.asp?s=12730008

www.tennessean.com/article/20100629/NEWS01/6290337/Proposed-Antioch-mosque-is-third-in-Middle-Tennessee-to-face-opposition www.wsmv.com/news/24840082/detail.html




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B r e n t w o o d , M a y 2 0 10 : A local Islamic group withdrew a plan to build a mosque after public outcry.Sources:

Br en tw ood m osq ue n ot a lon e in de fea t , The Tennessean, May 23, 2010

C o lu m b i a , F e b r u a r y 20 0 8 : Neo-Nazis burned down a mosque.Sources:

www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330504,00.html

M u r f r e e s b o r o , M a y 2 0 10 : Opponents of a planned mosque have vandalized the mosque site, including setting fireto construction vehicles.Sources:: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/murfreesboro-tennessee-mosque-plan-draws-criticism-residents/story?id=10956381

www.tennessean.com/article/20100621/NEWS06/6210329 www.tennessean.com/article/20100831/NEWS01/8310344/Vigil-in-support-of-mosque-near-Murfreesboro-draws-150-people http://blogs.tennessean.com/opinion/2010/09/05/stand-up-for-religious-freedom

Na shv i l le , Feb ru a r y 2010 : Vandals spray-painted "Muslims go home" on a mosque and left a vitriolic, hate-filledletter railing against the Muslim faith.Sources: http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/community-reaches-out-local-islamic-center-after-hate-crime

TEXAS

Ar l in g ton , Ju ly 2 010 : Vandals burned playground equipment at a mosque and spray-painted a picture of Uncle Sam

assaulting Allah in the parking lot.Sources:

www.publicbroadcasting.net/kera/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1685053 www.star-telegram.com/2010/07/28/2368772/arlington-mosque-reports-vandalism.html

H o u s t o n , O c to b e r 2 0 0 9 : A vandal scrawled religious slurs on the outside walls of a local mosque.Sources:

www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6658660.html www.click2houston.com/news/21242744/detail.html

K a t y, D e ce m b e r 2 0 0 6 : Opponents of a plan to construct a mosque held pig races every Friday evening on borderingproperty in hopes of offending Muslims on their holy day.Sources:

www.katytimes.com/articles/2006/12/04/news/01news.txt www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/new/7190476.html www.katytimes.com/articles/2006/12/04/news/01news.txt

www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-27-2007/loathe-thy-neighbor

L u b b o c k , Oc t o b e r 2 0 0 6 : Vandals attacked a local mosque three times in one month.Sources: http://lubbockonline.com/stories/102606/loc_102606030.shtml

WASHINGTON

B e l le vue , Ju n e 20 10 : Vandals smeared excrement on an Islamic center's van, which featured advertisementspromoting Islam.Sources:

www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/news/97187474.html

WISCONSIN

Wilson , May 20 10 : A new mosque was vandalized shortly after it opened following a long anti-Mosque campaign

conducted by local residents.Sources

www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100505-sheboygan-muslims,0,4795698.story www.wtaq.com/blogs/post/jbader/2010/jun/11/sheboygan-mosque-already-vandalized www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100308-mosque-controversy,0,3267768.story www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2011842,00.html?xid=rss-mostpopularemail www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/94019264.html www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100517-mosque-decision,0,2329452.story www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100518-mosque-folo,0,4253936.story

Gr een Bay, Augu s t 20 10 : Opponents of a proposed mosque, including city council members, made a number of anti-Muslim remarks.Sources:

www.sheboyganpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20108180478 www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/green-bay-council-to-review-mosque-plans

www.wfrv.com/news/local/Mosque-gets-approval-in-Green-Bay-100959029.html www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100818/GPG0101/8180478/Green-Bay-OKs-Velp-Avenue-site-for-mosque




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Map Nationwide Anti Mosque Activity