By Rebecca Trounson, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 25, 2007
Full story here, excerpts below:
As Muslim students and their supporters protested outside, commentator Ann Coulter told a USC audience Wednesday night that Americans should get tough on terrorists and "stop genuflecting before Islam."
The protesters who gathered outside the auditorium, chanted, shouted and carried signs, such as "Fight the Real Fascist, Down with Coulter" and "Hate Cannot Drive Out Hate."
Another sign noted the diversity of the protesters: "Thank you, Ann, for uniting Jews, Christians and Muslims."
Along with Ayloush's organization [CAIR], others represented included the Progressive Jewish Alliance of California, MEChA, the Anti-War Coalition and the Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace.
The Rev. Louis Chase, president of the interfaith group and pastor of Hamilton United Methodist Church in South Los Angeles, was among the protesters. "I have problems with Ann Coulter's characterization of the perfect society as a Christian nation, both as a pastor and a theologian," he said.
Steve Puzarne, a cantor who frequently sings at a Pacific Palisades synagogue and who heads the newly formed Pilgrimage of Peace, said he took issue both with Coulter and with what he called the demonization of Muslims.
"As I see it, these are very much cut from the same cloth," Puzarne said. "And I'm quite distressed that the Jewish community, which has responded vociferously to her comments about Jews, has remained relatively silent during her much longer history of hate speech about Muslims."
The term Islamo-Fascism, Puzarne said, is "beyond demagoguery."
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6 comments:
I was there and I have some pictures of the protesters outside. I think by far this statement is the BEST lesson to learn from this whole situation:
"As I see it, these are very much cut from the same cloth," Puzarne said. "And I'm quite distressed that the Jewish community, which has responded vociferously to her comments about Jews, has remained relatively silent during her much longer history of hate speech about Muslims."
I am sorry, but I think the fact that all these groups are out during "Islamo-faschism awareness week " I think it should count for something that all of these groups are out there in solidarity with with the muslims. Rather than worrying about their "silence about the hate speech about muslims". Sometimes Actions speak louder then words!
agreed. this is an important first step towards combating hate speech. it's not the ideal - which is what affad is saying, i think - but it's a step.
i'm not sure we'll ever reach the ideal. :)
also huda - sorry this is my english major-ness but can we please change the title to "uniting"? thanks! :)
Welcome back Affad! I was looking for some pics but noone was online when I posted this. If you don't mind posting a few, can you send them my way and I'll add them to the post?
Anonymous, like Marya said, agreed. The whole purpose of the post was to draw attention to the wonderful solidarity this hateful event brought about unintentionally. Still, I think Puzarne's comment is something to keep in mind and work towards.
Marya, changed...thanks for catching that.
I will send you the pics and post more of my thoughts on my blog.
as for what i am pointing out. I was saying this more to highlight things within the Muslim community. Often times Muslims find themselves on the sideline. They/We need to speak out and to do so actively. When hate affects people we can not stand on the sidelines.
It is critical that the faith community came out and stood up to Ann an her hatred. But again, we can not and should not wait for hate to affect us or our community but rather to take a firm stand no matter what community is affected.
I can tell you that internally I know that many leaders in the Jewish community would not have come out to support this sort of protest or to speak out against Ann, but silently accepted her hatred because it was not directed toward the Jewish community. So there you have it, whether hatred is directed at one specific community we do not have the novelty of standing on the sidelines.
My main point in highlighting the quote. Sorry I did not elaborate. I hope this clears things up.
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