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Event to be held Wednesday on the Square
A group formed in support of the rights of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro will rally on the Public Square as a way to counter a protest march against the center on Wednesday.
Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom is organizing the event in response to local resident Kevin Fisher's plans to lead a march on Main Street to the County Courthouse.
"The counter demonstration will begin on the Murfreesboro Public Square at 2:45 p.m. and end shortly after protest marchers present a petition to halt construction (of the center) pending further review to the county commission," a news release from MTRF spokesperson Claire Rogers states.
Hundreds of residents packed a County Commission meeting last month to object to site plans for the Islamic Center's new facility on Veals Road at Bradyville Pike, south of Murfreesboro.
Many of those protesting the proposed 52,960-square-foot center, including 6th District congressional candidates Lou Ann Zelenik and George Erdel, have expressed fears about the goals of Islam. Zelenik went so far as to say that the Muslim community intends to use the facility as a training ground, implying it could be used by terrorists.
Others, like Fisher, contend the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission failed to provide adequate notice to the public about the site plan agenda item on its May 24 meeting. They say the county also failed to conduct traffic and environmental impact studies as they would on any large development.
County planning department members say zoning for the site was already in place and argue that sufficient notice was given to the public. Some county commissioners, though, like Mike Sparks, disagree; he has spearheaded a resolution to alter the way the county does business in such instances in the future, calling for more thorough reviews and public input in the process.
Islamic Center officials, meanwhile, contend they have simply outgrown their Middle Tennessee Boulevard facility they have worshipped in for more than a decade. They point out that the local Muslim community consists of doctors, lawyers and other professionals who are a vital part of this community.
The dispute has garnered national attention and a backlash from those who believe protesters are acting out of bigotry and fear, rather than embracing First Amendment freedoms.
"Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom encourages all citizens to attend and show their support for the First Amendment rights of our neighbors," the group's news release states. "Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom hopes to raise awareness regarding the constitutional issues involved in preventing or hindering the construction of the Islamic Center."
A post demonstration event is also being organized with a location to be determined. Details will be announced soon.
An open organizational meeting is set for 4 p.m. Sunday in the lobby of the James Union Building on the MTSU campus for those interested in participating in the counter demonstration.
For more information, visit the group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/midTNRF.
July 10, 2010, Rutherford
