RantCrush Top 5: March 21, 2017

The Bureau of American Islamic Relations, BAIR, planned a protest outside a mosque in Richardson, Texas. BAIR opposes “radical Islam,” and claims that the Islamic Association of North Texas is sponsoring terrorism. Members of the group have been known to show up to protests with guns. So, when supporters of the mosque heard about the planned protest, they organized a counter protest.

But, it gets weirder. When the groups gathered for their respective protests on Sunday, a third group showed up. The “Dallas Workers Front” arrived with 20 people armed with guns and pipes. They blocked BAIR, while chanting: “No safe space for fascists.” Then the members of the pro-mosque protest turned on the agitators, and defended BAIR. “I believe they have the full right to protest,” said Omair Siddiqi, a member of the mosque, about the BAIR protesters. When the third group grew increasingly rowdy, BAIR protesters and mosque supporters decided to leave and get some food together, at a nearby halal restaurant.

They went to protest a Richardson mosque, but wound up sharing Halal Guys and discussing shared opposition to ISIS. https://t.co/1PkF2Xn20D

— Bud Kennedy (@BudKennedy) March 19, 2017

One member of the mosque said, “I want what’s best for this society. I don’t want terrorists coming in here.” They explained to the members of BAIR that ISIS is not synonymous with Islam. “I’ve wanted to speak with them for two years now,” David Wright of BAIR said. “Now we’re talking and there’s a dialog.” Siddiqi said that he hoped that love will win over hate. The groups are now planning an anti-ISIS march together.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.