July 23, 2010 – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Temecula: Tea Party Anti-Islam Mosque Protest Planned for July 30

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights of freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship for ALL people — without exception. We reject protests against houses of worship, and the coast-to-coast protests and attacks on mosques around America.

The Valley News reports on plans by local individuals in Temecula to hold a protest on Friday July 30 at the existing business warehouse facility where the Islamic Center of Temecula is currently seeking to hold worship services.

The Islamic Center of Temecula is currently holding religious services in a warehouse (Photo: Irfan Khan, Los Angeles Times)

The Tea Party Patriots web site showed that this event was planned to be held on Friday July 30 by a group that calls itself the Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party Citizens in Action group and that also plans to “pack the house” in a hearing to protest the planned Temecula mosque. See screen shot of Tea Party Patriots web site list of events (from web cache earlier this week). See also previous posting “California: Anti-Islam Tea Party Group Protests Temecula Mosque Plans.” R.E.A.L. has previously reported on numerous other Tea Party leaders and organizations involved in mosque protests around the country, with no response from the national Tea Party leadership to our inquires for comment.

According to the Valley News in its report “Temecula mosque proposal targeted in pending protest”
— “a loose-knit coalition of area residents is planning a demonstration at the Islamic Center’s existing facility along Rio Nedo west of Murrieta Creek.”
— “An e-mail alert sent to area newspapers last week announced that a one-hour ‘singing – praying – patriotic rally” will begin at 12:30 p.m. July 30 at the Islamic Center’s existing facility. The advisory — sent by a leader of a conservative coalition that has been active with Republican and Tea Party functions – recommended participants ‘bring your Bibles, flags, signs, dogs and singing voices.'”
— “‘We will not be submissive,’ the notice proclaimed. ‘Our voices are going to be heard!’ The alert went on to question what its authors described as Islamic beliefs. It suggested that participants sing during the rally because Muslim ‘women are forbidden to sing.’ It suggested that rally participants bring dogs because Muslims ‘hate dogs.'”

Screen Shot of Tea Party Patriot Website - with SWRC Tea Party Group Plans for Mosque Protest

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The Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party Citizens in Action group planned July 30 “rally” at the existing house of worship of the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley continues to be posted on the national Tea Party Patriots website, calling for attendees to bring “dogs” to protest the current Islamic center worship center on Friday, July 30, during afternoon prayers. See the Tea Party Patriots website at: http://www.teapartypatriots.org/EventDetail/6243/July%2030,%202010

http://bit.ly/tp-mosque-protest

The event is reportedly led by Diana Serafin, who has led other Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party Citizens in Action group events promoted by the Tea Party Patriots group. The Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party Citizens in Action group has been repeatedly promoted on the national Tea Party Patriots website. A Diana Serafin has been promoting the “Southwest Riverside County Tea Party (CA)” on ResistNet.com

National Tea Party Patriots Web Site Promotes Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party Citizens in Action Group Mosque "Rally"

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California: Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party against Islam and Temecula Mosque (Photo: SWRC Tea Party Web Site)

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The SWRC Tea Party Citizens in Action web site states its mission as “Southwest Riverside County Citizens in Action was created to return the local Tea Party Movement to the people.”

Group Defines Itself as the SWRC Tea Party on Web Site (Photo: SWRC Tea Party Web Site)

SWRC Tea Party Citizens in Action web site states its mission as "Southwest Riverside County Citizens in Action was created to return the local Tea Party Movement to the people." (Screen Shot: SWRC Tea Party Web Site)

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Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.) will contact the National Tea Party leadership for comments on this report, and if we receive a statement from them, we will update this posting.

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Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights to freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience for all people of all faiths. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

We urge those who promote hate and intolerance to unburden the hate from their hearts.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.

July 24 Worldwide Demonstrations in Support of Freedom for Sakineh Ashtiani

Mission Free Iran reports the following global demonstrations in support of the freedom of Sakineh Ashtiani:

Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani was Sentenced to be Stoned for Adultery

SPRINGWOOD New South Wales, Australia: July 24, 10:30am, Town Square

SYDNEY Australia: July 24, 2pm, QVB (Town Hall end near statue) – please join me in holding an informal protest handing out flyers. (contact: Kathryn, 0439 309 080)

VIENNA Austria: July 24, 5pm, St. Stephan’s Platz – 1010 Wien
Stephansplatz (contact: Maria Rohaly)

OTTAWA Canada: July 24, 12-3pm, in front of Parliament Hill.

TORONTO Canada: July 24, 2-4pm, In front of CBC News (250 Front St. West of Spadina Ave).

VANCOUVER Canada: July 24, 5pm, in front of the Art Gallery on Robson Street. (contact: 604 727 8986)

BIRMINGHAM England: July 24, 2-4pm, in front of the central library.

CHICHESTER England: July 24, 2pm, Town Centre, East street, in front of the old boots shop

EGHAM England: July 23, 6pm, Royal Holloway College, University of London, South Quad, Founders Building, Egham, Surrey

LONDON England: July 24, 2-4pm, Trafalgar Square.

RICHMOND England: July 24, 11.30am, outside Richmond Railway station, Kew Road, Richmond Surrey

PARIS France: July 24, 2pm, in front of the Iranian Embassy in Paris, Ligue du Droit International des Femmes will submit a letter of protest.

TBILISI Georgia: July 24, 1-3pm, in front of the Embassy of Iran (address: 80. Tchavchavadze Ave)

BERLIN Germany: July 24, 2pm, Breitsheidtplatz, opposite of Gedächtniskirche (contact: 017624866317)

BREMEN Germany: July 24, 3-5pm, Marktplatz in city centre (contact: 0172-4037035)

FRANKFORT Germany: July 24, 7:30pm, Hauptwache in City Centre (contact: 015781688732)

VENICE Italy: July 24, 2pm, place to be announced

AMSTERDAM Netherlands: July 24, 2pm, Beurs Plein (contact: 0651273261)

OSLO Norway: July 24, 2pm, in front of the Parliament

BORåS Sweden: July 24, 2-4pm, Stortorget. (contact: 0737-598566)

GOTENBURG Sweden: July 24, 2-4pm, Bronzparken. (contact: Abe Assadi, 0737-17 88 19)

MALMO Sweden: July 24, 2-4pm, at Davidshalls Bron between Triangeln and Gustav Adolfs Torg. (contact: Farideh Arman, 070-363 80 88)

STOCKHOLM Sweden: July 24, 2-4pm, Mintorget. (contact: Mamad Amiri, 0737- 80 15 10)

DALLAS Texas, USA: July 24, 6-8pm, corner of Houston & Alem, downtown

NEW YORK CITY, USA: July 24, 2pm, Union Square (we will be distributing flyers about Sakineh rather)

WASHINGTON DC, USA: July 24, 12-3pm, in front of the Islamic Republic Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy (2209 Wisconsin Ave NW)

Staten Island: Planned Mosque Stopped by Archdiocese of NY

Regarding the planned Staten Island/Midland Island mosque, the Archdiocese of New York has withdrawn support for the sale of a former convent building for a new mosque. The mosque was vehemently protested by local individuals and leaders of the Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) group, involved with other mosque protests, and some of whose supporters have recently called for the criminalization of Islam, and have promoted a “Burn a Koran Day.”

Protesters of the Staten Island planned mosque packed a public hearing on June 9, 2010 where they shouted at the planners of the mosque. Some of the protesters had to be led away by police.

Staten Island Mosque Stopped - Images of Protests (Photo 1: NYT, Photo 2 WCBS)

Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) Executive Director Pamela Geller stated in response to the Archdiocese of New York’s decision: “SIOA Executive Director Pamela Geller said in a statement: ‘Congratulations to all the free citizens of Staten Island who stood against this extremist mosque project despite official indifference and harsh criticism from the mainstream media. This is now a textbook case on how to fight extremists.'” “SIOA has published a practical guide for activists who wish to fight against terror-linked and extremist mosques in their localities, and is in the process of expanding this guide. The church’s decision today demonstrates that such activism can be successful.”

In response to SIOA Executive Director Pamela Geller’s SIOA Facebook posting applauding the decision by the Archdiocese to stop the property sale for the Staten Island mosque, one SIOA supporter replied on the SIOA Facebook:
— “SIOA is mighty and growing stronger every minute. The evil comes out of the mosques, now and in Mohammed’s time. Close and dismantle ALL mosques, mosques have no place in America the Free.”
— Another replies: “One down and so many more to go”
— See SIOA posting screen shot

On Sunday, July 18, 2010, SIOA Executive Director Pamela Geller made yet another appeal for support for the violent extremist group “English Defence League” (EDL) which has been involved in multiple riots, and whose members were recently arrested after throwing bricks at riot police officers during their protest of a potential mosque in Dudley (that had already been canceled.) One of the SIOA supporters has darkly claimed that a group like the violent “English Defence League” is being created in America today.

The recent mosque protests are part of a coast-to-coast campaign against Mosques and Islam throughout America. See Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s recent post: Coast-to-Coast Anti-Islam Movement Results in Protests, Attacks Against Mosques

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights of freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship for ALL people — without exception.

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Archdiocese of New York Press Release: Statement on Saint Margaret Mary Parish

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2010

STATEMENT ON SAINT MARGARET MARY PARISH

Father Keith Fennessy, pastor of Saint Margaret Mary parish on Staten Island, announced in June that after careful consideration he was withdrawing his support for the planned sale of the parish convent to the Muslim American Society.

The trustees of the parish have met, as legally required under New York State law, and voted to ratify the pastor’s decision.

The Muslim American Society has been informed that the sale of the convent will not take place.

The Archdiocese of New York has enjoyed a good relationship with the Islamic community in the past, and looks forward to continued dialogue, friendship, and understanding in the future.

It is also our prayer that unity will now return to the parish and to the Midland Beach community.

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Screenshot of SIOA Facebook Leader and Supporters Comments on Decision to Stop Building Sale for Staten Island Mosque

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Falun Gong Hold DC Event on Oppression, Killings

On July 22, 2010, the Falun Dafa / Falun Gong practitioners from around the world joined together in Washington DC, to hold a night time candlelight vigil remembrance of the oppression of the Falun Gong in China that started 11 years ago in the Communist People’s Republic of China.

The Epoch Times reported on this candlelight vigil of thousands of Falun Gong members from around the world in their report “Captivating Candlelight Vigil at the Washington Monument (Photo Gallery) – Glowing candles commemorate 11 years of the Falun Gong persecution in China” and in their report “Falun Gong Vigil Touches the Heart.” Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline consisting of moral principles and slow-motion physical exercises, has been persecuted in China since 1999.

Washington DC: July 22, 2010 - Falun Dafa / Falun Gong Gather for Candlelight Vigil in Washington DC to Remember Persecution and Lives Lost (Photo: Dai Bing/Epoch Times Staff)

Two Falun Dafa practitioners hold a candle at the candle light vigil in Washington, DC on July 22nd -- marking 11 years of persecution in China. (Jeff Nenarella / The Epoch Times)

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)‘s Jeffrey Imm joined the Falun Dafa / Falun Gong Candlelight Vigil.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty's Jeffrey Imm Joins Candlelight Vigil (Jeff Nenarella / The Epoch Times)

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports the right of all people to have their freedom of conscience and freedom to believe.

On March 26, 2010, the United States Congress passed House Resolution 605, which acknowledges the oppression and suffering of the Falun Gong in Communist China and advises the U.S. President to meet with Falun Gong leaders.

On April 11, 2010, supporters of human freedom stood by the Falun Gong and Falun Dafa in a protest that called for the Chinese government to respect their freedom of conscience, including Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s Jeffrey Imm.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has continued to support the Falun Gong and Falun Dafa in their struggles for freedom in China for the past year. See our reports on this subject. To find out more on the importance of Chinese culture and traditions and those struggling to preserve such culture, see the Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.