Free Speech vs Islam in America

The muslims of Dearborn don't like it, but that's too bad. Unless the local court finds a way to twist the Bill of Rights and withhold the right of Pastor Jones to demonstrate against the anti-freedom ideology that muslims support.

Detroit Suburb Fights Pastor's Mosque Rally

Authorities in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn are trying to head off a confrontation at a rally planned Friday to protest Islamic law by Quran-burning Christian pastor Terry Jones outside the biggest U.S. mosque.

But the bid to stop the Florida pastor has stirred concerns about violating his First Amendment rights.

Pastor Terry Jones plans a rally in Dearborn against Islamic law.

The Wayne County prosecutor is asking a state court to order Mr. Jones to pay a peace bond to guarantee the event won't be violent. "The greatest danger is the likelihood of a riot ensuing, complete with the discharge of firearms, unless this bond is granted," the prosecutor said in her complaint.

The city of Dearborn, meanwhile, has asked Mr. Jones to move his rally two to three miles away to one of its two designated "free speech zones," from the planned site near the Islamic Center of America. The city—home to Ford Motor Co. and one of the largest Arab-American communities in the U.S.—cited concerns about traffic and parking near the mosque, which is near two churches hosting Good Friday services.

The city of Dearborn was in the process of denying Mr. Jones's permit, said a spokeswoman, adding if he went ahead as planned, he could face arrest.

Mr. Jones, head of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., drew world attention last month when his congregation staged a "trial" of Islam's holy book that culminated in setting a copy of the Quran ablaze. News of the event incited riots in Afghanistan and an attack on a United Nations facility there that killed seven people.

Michigan's 19th District Court is expected to hear Wayne County's case Thursday afternoon. Mr. Jones said he plans to appear in court and said he would refuse to post a peace bond if so ordered, which could land him in county jail. Concerns about the public's security were unfounded, he said, repeating he had no plans to burn Qurans.

"We are going there totally in peace. We have no intentions of doing anything provocative," he said in an interview. "We will be speaking our minds, expressing our First Amendment rights."

Free-speech advocates criticized the prosecutor. "As reprehensible as his beliefs may be, this is an unconstitutional attempt to limit his unpopular speech," said Rana Elmir, a spokeswoman at the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.

Majed Moughni, an organizer of a counter-demonstration to take place in one of the free-speech zones, agreed. "We think he has the right for free speech," said Mr. Moughni, a local attorney who burned Mr. Jones in effigy last fall when he threatened to burn the Quran on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Mr. Jones said his event at the Islamic Center is aimed at protesting sharia, or Islamic law. He said he expects a handful of supporters to join him.

In response, Kassem Allie, executive administrator at the Islamic Center, said the mosque will hold an interfaith gathering involving the Archdiocese of Detroit and other Christian churches Thursday afternoon. Mr. Allie is encouraging congregants to avoid the mosque Friday and join a "Stop the Hate" rally being held elsewhere.

Although Mr. Jones said the public had nothing to fear, he is concerned about his own safety. He said he has received 400 death threats, including some from Dearborn residents. He said he and an assistant accompanying him plan to be armed.

"I have a .40-caliber semiautomatic that I carry with me at all times," said Mr. Jones. "If someone would try to attack us, shoot us, we would have no problem defending ourselves."