Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida, first stepped into the spotlight in March 2010 after declaring he would burn 200 Korans on the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Jones said, as an American Christian, he had the right to burn the Koran because “it is full of lies.” Sparking international controversy and outrage, world leaders plead to him to cancel his plans. Jones’ threat initiated protests in the Middle East which resulted in several dozen deaths.
When Pastor Jones discovered the diverse population of Dearborn, Michigan, he set his sights for a new place to protest.
At first, Terry Jones was not allowed to protest in Dearborn because religious and community leaders agreed that it would possibly create major conflict and riots considering the culture and diversity of the city. He then accused Dearborn of violating his first amendment right to free speech by asking him to sign a legal agreement before his protest in front of the Mosque and proceeded to file a lawsuit against the city.
Seeing as Dearborn is one of the highest concentrated areas of Middle Eastern decent, Jones arrived with intention. While he was walking to the Arab Festival, he was confronted by an angry mob of protestors at the end of Schaefer road led by an activist group called BAMN—By Any Means Necessary. Despite the fact Jones was accompanied by a dozen Dearborn Police Officers, several angry protestors were arrested when they breached the peace in anger toward Pastor Jones’ presence.
Jones is planning to return for another protest on October 10, 2012. Instead of the steps of Dearborn City Hall or the Islamic Center of America, he has decided to protest on the sidewalks of Dearborn’s Edsel Ford High school. He announced he will be protesting about ‘Muslim Gang Bullying.’
In correspondence to Jones’ spokesperson Stephanie Sapp, a parent in Dearborn made contact with Jones saying there are Muslim youths causing bullying acts at the school. Jones plans to come to Dearborn and protest an hour before the school day ends.
According to a statement by Jones’ office, Jones has been reached by a number of people living in Dearborn concerned with the violence and tensions among the students in public schools over the past two years. Jones’ office also said considering schools have installed cameras in the hallways, yet the bullying continues.
“It has been made quite clear by the faith communities in Michigan Mr. Jones is not welcome here. He should look to solve Christian or Muslim youth gang problems in Miami or elsewhere in Florida where he lives,” said Victor Begg, senior advisor for the Michigan Muslim Community Council.
Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly has a history with Pastor Jones. “Terry Jones promotes fear and hatred for one segment of our community and communities around the country.” O’Reilly stated after Jones’ fourth visit, “but the harm he causes only materializes if people can’t see through his financial motives and understand that he offers nothing of value to building a better future for everyone.”
Regardless of the way Dearborn feels about Jones, he is apt on returning to preach more of his anti-Muslim ideas and is expected to return this fall.