Hate Comes to Orange County

Read below this note to learn about the background of this disturbing video.

Note: Comments are not monitored. All comments are posted except comments flagged/reported as promoting racism or violence (please avoid foul language too). We urge viewers to remember that the hateful protesters only represent themselves and their hate groups. They do not represent Christians, Jews, Americans, or Republicans. They do not represent Yorba Linda or Orange County. No one community and religion should ever be blamed for the act of a few wrong ones. This is what the hateful protesters are doing and we should not stoop to their level. We can all be better than that.

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Updates:

CAIR-LA Calls on Royce, Pauly, Lugo and Rabbi Eliezrie to Stop Excusing anti-Muslim Hate
http://ca.cair.com/losangeles/news/ca...

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Hate comes to Orange County

(ANAHEIM, CA, 3/2/11) -- The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today released a video of a rally organized by anti-Muslim bigots to protest a February fundraising event held by an American Muslim relief group for relief work and charity in the U.S.

A few hundred protesters showed up to the rally, which was sponsored by groups such as: "We Surround Them OC 912" (a local Tea Party group), Rabbi David Eliezrie of Chabad - Yorba Linda, North Orange County Conservative Coalition, ACT! for America, and Pamela Geller (whose group "Stop the Islamization of America" has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center).

Elected officials Congressmen Ed Royce and Gary Miller, and Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly also attended and spoke at the protest rally.

The event -- held at Yorba Linda Community Center, a facility that has been frequented by Muslim families and businesses over the years -- first became a target of anti-Muslim bigots over two of the fundraiser's speakers, who were to speak on the importance of charity in Islam. Initial attempts of some groups to have the Yorba Linda Community Center and the Yorba Linda City Council cancel the fundraising event failed, followed by the protest.




In a statement, CAIR-LA said:

"We support the First Amendment right of protest\eors anywhere in America to voice their concerns, dissent, and even hatred. However, when our nation's foundational values of inclusiveness, pluralism and equality are attacked by some in favor of calls for advocating hate and violence, then all Americans have a responsibility to challenge and expose such bigotry and those who enable it.

"As the video shows, the rhetoric of the protesters became increasingly venomous toward the families and children who came to attend the ICNA Relief fundraising dinner. Protesters shouted invective statements such as "Go home terrorist," "Muhammad is a pervert, Muhammad is a child molester," "Go home and beat your wife, she needs a good beating" at the event-goers.

"Even more disturbing was the participation and encouragement of elected officials in promoting the hateful protest rally. Villa Park Councilwoman, Deborah Pauly, while addressing the crowd at the rally, appeared to threaten Muslim event-goers. Congressman Ed Royce (R-40), in a troubling trend of disparaging Islam and its followers, added fuel to the fire by encouraging protesters to continue on with their hate-mongering. The attendance of Congressman Gary Miller (R-42) was a clear surprise, since he previously has engaged with all constituents, including Muslims, toward a better America.

"We strongly urge all elected officials in attendance to distance themselves from such an exhibition of hate and bigotry. We further ask residents and elected officials of Yorba Linda, Orange County and other parts of our nation to speak out against such hateful rhetoric and the continued Islamophobia that plagues our nation."

Council on American Islamic Relations-Los Angeles (CAIR-LA), Phone: 714-776-1847, Email: info@losangeles.cair.com
ca.cair.com/losangeles

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[MisterDavidoffEF]

American right-wing intolerance at his finest

[sgtortiz641]

I grew up in Orange County so the protestors actions are no surprise to me. It is very disturbing that even the women were yelling horrible things as little kids were walking peacefully with their parents into the building. As a ten year military veteran this is disturbing.

[John Dunkz]

What a disgusting display of bigotry, of only these people knew muslims are not the problem

[Edward Davis]

go home and take care of you're family instead

[andrewfyip]

Ed Royce, the politician in that video is running for reelection of a redistricted area which includes 30% Latino, 30% Asian...

[Tigerpaws9097826]

I too am an American, non-Muslim, and am grateful for the sentiment you expressed here. The behavior shown in this video is shocking enough - but I find myself even more deeply saddened by the viewer reviews ("dislikes" outnumbering "likes" about 3 to 1 at this writing). I hope our country ultimately becomes what is has the potential of being - a haven of peace for both you and me.

[Muslim Bangali]

I am a Muslim and I am an American by choice. I am very proud to call myself an American Muslim. To all people who reside outside the USA, Please don't judge America b/c of those idiots. They do not represent USA just like the Al Qaida don't rep Muslims. Our country is filled with many cultures and religions. Please pray for those people b/c they're human too.. If God wills, oneday they will learn what the truth is and get on the right path inshAllah :)

[Rouillie Wilkerson]

Americans are nuts. They don't learn, they don't want to learn, they don't care to learn. They take things out of context, they make up vicious lies to explain away their ignorance. Shame on you. Oh, and buy the way. I'm born and raised American, my son serves in the US Army, was critically injured while serving in Afghanistan.

[wallacesc07]

I am a Christian white female, and I see much beauty in Islam. I will never be proud of the bigotry portrayed in this video.

[Niamh Kehoe]

That right there is why the world hates America. Disgusting and shameful.