Map - Nationwide Anti-Mosque Activity | American Civil Liberties Union

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Map - Nationwide Anti-Mosque Activity

The controversy over the planned Park 51 community center in New York City is only one example of opposition to mosques and Islamic centers in the United States. Existing and proposed mosque sites across the country have been targeted for vandalism and other criminal acts, and there have been efforts to block or deny necessary zoning permits for the construction and expansion of other facilities. While mosque opponents frequently claim their objections are based on practical considerations such as traffic, parking, and noise levels, those asserted concerns are often pretexts masking anti-Muslim sentiment. Government officials in some areas of the country have yielded to this religious bigotry, treating mosques and Islamic centers differently than other proposed houses of worship and/or denying zoning permits without the compelling interest that is required by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (a federal civil rights law that affords heightened legal

protection to the use of property for religious purposes). Even where local governments strongly support religious freedom, private citizens nevertheless often seek to intimidate Muslims into forgoing the exercise of this freedom. The Constitution guarantees the right of private citizens to protest, and the ACLU would vigorously defend that right if infringed by the government. But making Muslims or any other religious group feel unwelcome in local communities conflicts with our Founders' vision of religious liberty and tolerance. Protests that cross the line into violence and other criminal acts are, of course, not protected by law and are indefensible. Below is a map highlighting anti-mosque incidents across the country over the past five years. If you are aware of an antimosque incident not on this list, please contact us.

Arizona California Connecticut Florida Georgia

Illinois Kentucky Maine Maryland Michigan

Mississippi New Jersey New York North carolina Ohio

South carolina Tennessee Texas Washington Wisconsin

ARIZONA Phoenix, August 2010: 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 Tucson, April 2007: Vandals ransacked a local mosque, writing "Bush was here" on one of the computer screens. Sources:

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'Anti-Muslim rhetoric' cited after vandalism at mosque in UA area, Arizona Daily Star, Apr. 5, 2007 CALIFORNIA Antioch, August 2007: A local mosque was torched, rendering the building unusable. Sources: http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-08-13/bay-area/17258314_1_mosque-one-alarm-blaze-arson-investigators Cypress, June 2009: Vandals painted threats on the front wall of a local mosque, warning, "We will kill you all" and "U.S. military is going to kill you all." Sources: www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Racial-Slurs-Painted-on-Cypress-Mosque.html www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-mosque-vandals,0,194500.story Madera, August 2010: Vandals threw a brick at a local mosque and left signs outside that read, "Wake up America, the enemy is here," and "No temple for the god of terrorism." Sources: www.dailypress.com/news/local/la-me-0908-madera-mosque-20100908,0,939315.story http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/08/local/la-me-0908-madera-mosque-20100908 http://cbs13.com/local/mosque.vandalism.madera.2.1879381.html Sacramento, August 2010: A plastic pig inscribed with "No Mosque in NYC," "Remember 9-11," and "Mo-Ham-ed" was left in a mosque's mailbox. Sources: www.dailypress.com/topic/ktxl-news-sacramentomosquetargetedwithtoxicpig,0,6532511.story Temecula, July 2010: Opponents of a proposed mosque brought dogs to protests in an effort to offend Muslims who may view the animals as ritually unclean. Sources: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/18/local/la-me-mosque-20100718 www.nytimes.com/2010/09/04/us/politics/04build.html http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/jkusa.01.html www.scpr.org/news/2010/08/24/temecula-mosque/ www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/us/08mosque.html http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/31/local/la-me-0731-mosque-protest-20100731 CONNECTICUT Bridgeport, August 2010: Picketers targeted a mosque during Ramadan and shouted "murderers" and "Jesus hates Muslims" at worshippers, including children. Sources: www.ctpost.com/news/article/Angry-protesters-descend-on-mosque-606515.php FLORIDA Gainesville, July 2010: Protestors outside of a local mosque carried signs declaring that "Islam is the devil." Sources: www.news4jax.com/news/24148793/detail.html Jacksonville, May 2010: Vandals firebombed the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida. Sources: www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/05/12/Mosque-in-Jacksonville-Fla-firebombed/UPI-85931273693653/ www.news4jax.com/news/23514333/detail.html http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2010-05-11/story/fbi-video-jacksonville-mosque-shows-man-gas-can Miami, June 2010: Vandals smashed windows and slashed tires at an Islamic center two years after it was targeted by gunfire. Sources: www.justnews.com/news/20990455/detail.html www.justnews.com/news/19940450/detail.html http://cbs4.com/local/Miami.Dade.Muslim.2.899207.html Pompano Beach, June 2006: Opponents of a proposed mosque claimed that Muslims "come in to rape the community and go away," and filed a lawsuit to stop construction on the ground that mosque leaders had ties to terrorist organizations. Sources: www.justnews.com/news/9367230/detail.html www.sptimes.com/2006/07/15/Worldandnation/Seeking_a_new_mosque_.shtml www.theledger.com/article/20070502/NEWS/705020464 GEORGIA Alpaharetta, June 2010: An Islamic center filed suit after the city council disregarded a favorable recommendation by the city's community development staff and denied permits to expand the center's facilities. Sources: www.ajc.com/news/north-fulton/alpharetta-votes-down-islamic-534477.html

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Complaint, Islamic Center of North Fulton v. City of Alpharetta, Case 1:10-cv-01922-JOF (N.D. Ga. June 22, 2010) Lilburn, December 2009: 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 them taking over our neighborhood." Sources: www.cbsatlanta.com/news/21406971/detail.html www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archives/headlines/82923102.html Complaint, A.G.A. Islamic Organization v. City of Lilburn, Case 1:09-cv-03549-TWT (N.D. Ga. Dec. 17, 2009) ILLINOIS Naperville, April 2010: 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; and local 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_islamiccenter-zoning-proposal-islamic-group Complaint, Irshad Learning Center v. County of DuPage, No. 1:10-cv-02168 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 8, 2010) KENTUCKY Florence, June 2010: Opponents of a proposed mosque have distributed fliers urging neighbors to "to stop the takeover 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/ Mayfield, August 2010: The Board of Zoning Adjustments denied a permit for local Muslims to worship in a rented storefront, 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 Portland, August 2009: The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed suit when the city refused to allow a group of Muslims to 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 Walkersville, June 2007: The town amended its zoning ordinance in an effort to block a mosque from being built on local farmland. Sources: www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307692,00.html www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_comments.htm?StoryID=100248 Moxley v. Town of Walkersville, 601 F.Supp.2d 648 (D. Md. 2009) MICHIGAN Detroit, May 2010: Vandals damaged a local mosque twice in one week. Sources: www.ww4report.com/node/8625 MISSISSIPPI Madison, August 2009: 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/ Muslims Win Approval for Water, Sewer for Madison Co. Mosque, March 23, 2010, The Clarion-Ledger, at A5. NEW JERSEY Wayne, July 2006: After stonewalling approval of a plan to build an Islamic center and mosque for three years, the township of Wayne attempted to exercise eminent domain over the proposed site property, prompting mosque officials to sue. Sources: www.strausnews.com/articles/2006/07/27/west_milford_messenger/news/8.txt Complaint, Albanian Associated Fund v. Township of Wayne, Case No. 06-cv-3217 (D. N.J. Oct. 1, 2007)

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NEW YORK Brooklyn, July 2010: Local residents have vowed to stop construction of a mosque in the Sheepshead Bay area, with one 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/ Carlton, August 2010: A group of teenagers hurled obscenities at Muslim worshippers, shot a gun outside of a mosque, and sideswiped a congregant. Sources: www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100914/NEWS01/100914001/1002/NEWS/Holley-teens-face-morecharges-in-mosque-case www.buffalonews.com/city/article179322.ece Hudson, September 2010: 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-vandalizingmosque/p17W3gNh6kWfaQSFbe25TQ.cspx Manhattan, May 2010: A proposed Islamic community center in Lower Manhattan drew strong opposition both locally and nationally; though two local governmental bodies have denied efforts to block construction of the proposed center, 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 Staten Island, July 2010: A Catholic church in the Midland Beach area cancelled the sale of a vacant convent to a Muslim 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 Durham, November 2009: A local mosque was vandalized three times in one year and worshippers were told to "go to hell." Sources: www.newsobserver.com/2009/11/04/174919/durham-mosque-is-vandalized.html OHIO Cincinnati, December 2005: Two pipe bombs were detonated outside of a local mosque. Sources: www.wlwt.com/news/22020552/detail.html SOUTH CAROLINA Taylors, August 2009: Vandals scratched "death to Muslims" into a sidewalk leading into the mosque. Sources: www.foxcarolina.com/news/20562663/detail.html TENNESSEE Antioch, June 2010: Opponents of a proposed mosque organized a petition in an effort to dissuade a property owner from 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-Tennesseeto-face-opposition www.wsmv.com/news/24840082/detail.html

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Brentwood, May 2010: A local Islamic group withdrew a plan to build a mosque after public outcry. Sources: Brentwood mosque not alone in defeat, The Tennessean, May 23, 2010 Columbia, February 2008: Neo-Nazis burned down a mosque. Sources: www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330504,00.html Murfreesboro, May 2010: Opponents of a planned mosque have vandalized the mosque site, including setting fire to 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-draws150-people http://blogs.tennessean.com/opinion/2010/09/05/stand-up-for-religious-freedom Nashville, February 2010: Vandals spray-painted "Muslims go home" on a mosque and left a vitriolic, hate-filled letter railing against the Muslim faith. Sources: http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/community-reaches-out-local-islamic-center-after-hate-crime TEXAS Arlington, July 2010: 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 Houston, October 2009: 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 Katy, December 2006: Opponents of a plan to construct a mosque held pig races every Friday evening on bordering property 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 Lubbock, October 2006: Vandals attacked a local mosque three times in one month. Sources: http://lubbockonline.com/stories/102606/loc_102606030.shtml WASHINGTON Bellevue, June 2010: Vandals smeared excrement on an Islamic center's van, which featured advertisements promoting Islam. Sources: www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/news/97187474.html WISCONSIN Wilson, May 2010: 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 Green Bay, August 2010: 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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