Qur’an-Burning Pastor, Bikers Plan Rally at Mich - Mosque

DEARBORN, Mich — In what the city's mayor called an "un-American" event, motorcyclists and Qur’an-burning pastor Terry Jones of Florida say they will rally on Flag Day against what they claim is the threat of Islamic law being implemented in the U.S.

Called the Dearborn Freedom Rally, the June 14 event is to be held in front of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, one of the biggest mosques in Michigan. A Facebook page, with images of a bald eagle and the U.S. Constitution, says that about 450 are planning to attend the event.

On Thursday, Jones said he was contacted by a group of bikers for their rally. They plan to ride through Dearborn and then protest outside the mosque, with Jones delivering a talk to them.

"The main topics will be freedom of speech ... Shari'a, the comparison between Islam and Western society," Jones said. "Shari'a is not compatible with Western society and Western thinking."

Jones said he doesn't know the specific name of the bikers, but said they might be related to a group that traveled to Washington, D.C., on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Online, some are calling themselves the American Patriotic Bikers.

This would be Jones' fifth rally in Dearborn over the past three years. He was jailed briefly in 2011 by the city of Dearborn after he was found guilty of attempting to disturb the peace by rallying outside the mosque. Jones said his jailing was evidence that Dearborn doesn't respect free speech because of its growing Muslim population.

Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly Jr. said Jones has the right to speak, adding that he and the bikers "have to follow the law," including traffic regulations.

O'Reilly pointed out that Flag Day has been celebrated in Dearborn for decades and represents what the city is about, not Jones' hateful message. O'Reilly said neither Jones nor any biker has contacted the city about the rally. He said he will attend Flag Day ceremonies June 14.

"We take very seriously our respect to the American flag," O'Reilly said.

The mayor said if Jones "wants to see something that represents what Dearborn is about," he should go to the Flag Day event, not preach against Muslims. About 40% of Dearborn is of Arab descent, many of them Muslim.

"His cause is un-American," O'Reilly said.

Two administrators for the Facebook page for the Dearborn rally could not be reached through Facebook. Online this year, there has been discussion about the June 14 event by some commenters using anti-Islam language.

On the Facebook page for the Dearborn event, a message said, "This rally is to show support to those people who resist the current push for Shari'a law and the persecution of non-Muslims. Dearborn is the largest settlement of mid-eastern people, outside of the mid-east. It is also the nerve center for the Islam Movement in this country. The current Administration in Washington has catered to this agenda and we will show a non-violent rejection to this direction for our Country."

Jones, who has attracted worldwide controversy for his Qur’an burnings, last spoke in Dearborn in October 2012 outside Edsel Ford High School. He spoke that same year in April at the Islamic center. He was arrested last year in Florida on his way to burn Qur’ans on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Dearborn resident Majed Moughni said "the planned protest by hundreds of ... bikers is very concerning."

O'Reilly said Jones and his supporters are using Dearborn to promote themselves and their bigoted views.

"He only sees America for certain people, not for everyone," O'Reilly said.