Michigan prosecutor files to stop Koran-burning pastor

[The Northerner]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - A Detroit prosecutor has filed a petition in district court to stop a Florida fundamentalist Christian preacher, who recently caused riots in Afghanistan after he burned a Koran, from holding a rally outside a large Michigan mosque.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the threat of violence was too great to allow Terry Jones to hold the planned gathering on Friday near the Islamic Center of America -- the largest U.S. mosque -- in the heavily Muslim Detroit suburb of Dearborn.

A hearing on Worthy's bid to block Jones and his supporters from holding the rally at the mosque will be held on Thursday in a Dearborn court. The petition is dated April 15.

Prosecutors argue that the planned gathering by Jones could incite a riot, citing hundreds of email death threats against the preacher.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/19/us-pastor-koran-idUSTRE73I5WW20110419?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews&ca=rsstmb

[Freddie Stubbs]

1. Michigan Muslims are much more civilized than Pakistani Muslims

Just because some people half-way around the world act like animals doesn't mean that we suspend the 1st Amendment.

[Bandit]

14. Sure it does just ask Bush* and all those that supported him.

In fact the entire Constitution can be thrown out because of people that act like animals on the other side of the world..Habeas Corpus the backbone of our Constitution has been cast aside. The right of a person to a speedy trial and a jury of their peers and the right to an attorney...all gone...People are still being tried for protesting during the Bush* Administration.. Free Speech Zones.... anyone...

[alp227]

2. target those who actually want to commit violence, not those who exercise free speech n/t

[Skip Intro]

4. +100

[exboyfil]

6. Christian churches in the area should

gather in front of the mosque to show their solidarity with their Moslem neighbors. While I as a Christian do not agree with the Moslem faith, I think they should be free to practice their faith without harrassment from nimrods like this. It would send a good message, and, if this guy tried to pull this crap at our local Islamic Center, I would ask if my Moslem friends wanted us to show solditarity with them by showing up and praying for these nimrods (because they understand nothing about Jesus if they do this).

[PassingFair]

12. I understand that that is the plan. But I think these assholes should be IGNORED.

Really, they derive their power from the attention they receive.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

7. What about the right to worship freely. ? What about that right ?

[alp227]

8. the consequence of living with separation of church and state

is that your beliefs ain't immune to criticism, which is why PZ Myers can blog freely without going to jail for blasphemy and why people can freely speak out against religion provided they don't cause actual harm to other people.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

9. The state has the duty to protect the worshipers.

Peace officers have taken an sworn oath to uphold the peace and to protect the worshipers constitutional rights. The right to be left alone while they practice their religion.
Separation of church and state means that the state doesn't have, or support any official religion. But shall make no laws against the free practice of any religion or non-religion for that matter.

[Bragi]

19. While also protecting Jones' 1st amendment rights

No-one ever said things would be easy.

[Bragi]

16. Nice terse phrasing! I agree! /nt

[marias23]

3. Build a Moveable Wall

Take some canvas and some poles and build a wall that will block sight of Jones and his friends. Out of sight - out of mind.

[Rage for Order]

5. Another opponent of the First Amendment

By all means, let's base our actions on what the possible reaction to them may be by the worst elements of society. And yes, anyone who would resort to violence over a burned Koran or someone picketing in front of their building qualifies as the worst elements of society

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. No, just another vote-seeking District Attorney

"doing something" about this.

It's been a slow news season at the DA's office. Corruption of Detroit's elected leaders is way down, so gotta get some camera time somehow.

[KeepItReal]

10. Put those folks in a free speech zone like the one at the GOP convention

Right on the Detroit border.

Problem solved.

[Bragi]

17. This would violate 1st amendment rights /nt

[SoulSearcher]

11. Innovative Idea !

[robcon]

13. Can't do this, any more than we can stop a flag-burning or a bible-burning.

1st amendment

[Bragi]

18. Note the lack of national media coverage

For those here who frequently and incorrectly blame media for covering Jones, note that he has received very little national media coverage for his Michigan exploits. It's just local media covering him. The Detroit Free Press seems to be doing a particularly good job with their coverage.

(I raise this now only because, in a few days/weeks from now there may again be deadly mobs somewhere far away on a Jones-triggered killing spree, which usually results in people here incorrectly blaming US MSM for the resulting tragedies.)