New Map Illustrates Widespread Anti-Mosque Activity
Ten years ago today, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), a federal civil rights statute that gives houses of worship heightened protection in zoning disputes. The ACLU actively supported passage of the statute in 2000 and has since used the law numerous times in defense of churches, synagogues, and mosques around the country.
Since RLUIPA’s enactment, much progress has been made in eradicating religious discrimination in the zoning context, and many communities have been even more welcoming of new houses of worship, including those built by followers of minority faiths. But there have also been discouraging signs. Unfortunately, the recent uproar over a proposed Muslim community center in Lower Manhattan is hardly an isolated incident. As a new interactive map launched today by the ACLU shows, we still have more work to do, especially with regard to protecting the religious freedom rights of Muslims.
The ACLU’s new interactive map details attacks on Islamic centers and mosques nationwide over the past five years. In some cases, existing and proposed mosque sites have been targeted for vandalism and other criminal acts. Many other anti-mosque campaigns focus on blocking or denying necessary zoning permits for the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing ones. Still others seek to intimidate Muslims into simply withdrawing their plans or leaving the area by making them feel unwelcome and vilified.
The Constitution guarantees the right of private citizens to protest, and the ACLU would vigorously defend that right if infringed by the government. But making Muslims — or any other religious group — feel unwelcome in local communities conflicts with our Founders' vision of religious liberty and tolerance. Unfortunately, we continue to hear about such incidents across the country and we will continue to add them to the map and address concerns as they arise.
Just today, we intervened in a dispute in a zoning permit controversy. In Mayfield, Ky., after initially approving a Muslim applicant’s request to hold prayers in a rented storefront, the local zoning board reversed course, voiding its prior vote and denying the permit even though the city’s staff and legal counsel recommended approval. The ACLU submitted a request today on behalf of the permit applicant that the board reconsider and reverse its decision.
In looking at the map, which currently reflects more than 40 different cases of anti-mosque activity over the past five years, it’s disheartening to know that a country so firmly rooted in religious liberty continues to treat some minority faiths with such contempt. Hopefully, the map’s little red dots, which pinpoint each incident by city and state, will serve as a reminder that anti-Muslim sentiment can spread all too easily. We must continue to remain vigilant and work to ensure religious liberty — even now, a decade after legislation was passed to help protect everyone’s right to worship.
Please let us know of any anti-mosque activities in your community by sending an email to religion[at]dcaclu.org.
Map - Nationwide Anti-Mosque Activity
E-mail ShareLinkedInDiggFacebookMixxYahoo! Buzz"Twitter"StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditPermalinkPrint The controversy over the planned Park 51 community center in New York City is only one example of opposition to mosques and Islamic centers in the United States. Existing and proposed mosque sites across the country have been targeted for vandalism and other criminal acts, and there have been efforts to block or deny necessary zoning permits for the construction and expansion of other facilities.
While mosque opponents frequently claim their objections are based on practical considerations such as traffic, parking, and noise levels, those asserted concerns are often pretexts masking anti-Muslim sentiment. Government officials in some areas of the country have yielded to this religious bigotry, treating mosques and Islamic centers differently than other proposed houses of worship and/or denying zoning permits without the compelling interest that is required by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (a
federal civil rights law that affords heightened legal protection to the use of property for religious purposes). Even where local governments strongly support religious freedom, private citizens nevertheless often seek to intimidate Muslims into forgoing the exercise of this freedom.
The Constitution guarantees the right of private citizens to protest, and the ACLU would vigorously defend that right if infringed by the government. But making Muslims – or any other religious group – feel unwelcome in local communities conflicts with our Founders' vision of religious liberty and tolerance. Protests that cross the line into violence and other criminal acts are, of course, not protected by law and are indefensible.
Below is a map highlighting anti-mosque incidents across the country over the past five years. If you are aware of an anti-mosque incident not on this list, please contact us.
Arizona
California
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Mississippi
New Jersey
New York
North carolina
Ohio
South carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Washington
Wisconsin
ARIZONA
Phoenix, August 2010: Vandals threw paint on the floor, shot out windows, and wrote anti-Muslim slurs on the walls of a local mosque.
Sources:
www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/09/08/20100908phoenix-mosque-vandalized-abrk.html#ixzz0zdBKQd7w
www.kpho.com/news/24935884/detail.html
Tucson, April 2007: Vandals ransacked a local mosque, writing "Bush was here" on one of the computer screens.
Sources:
'Anti-Muslim rhetoric' cited after vandalism at mosque in UA area, Arizona Daily Star, Apr. 5, 2007
CALIFORNIA
Antioch, August 2007: A local mosque was torched, rendering the building unusable.
Sources:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-08-13/bay-area/17258314_1_mosque-one-alarm-blaze-arson-investigators
Cypress, June 2009: Vandals painted threats on the front wall of a local mosque, warning, "We will kill you all" and "U.S. military is going to kill you all."
Sources:
www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Racial-Slurs-Painted-on-Cypress-Mosque.html
www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-mosque-vandals,0,194500.story
Madera, August 2010: Vandals threw a brick at a local mosque and left signs outside that read, "Wake up America, the enemy is here," and "No temple for the god of terrorism."
Sources:
www.dailypress.com/news/local/la-me-0908-madera-mosque-20100908,0,939315.story
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/08/local/la-me-0908-madera-mosque-20100908
http://cbs13.com/local/mosque.vandalism.madera.2.1879381.html
Sacramento, August 2010: A plastic pig inscribed with "No Mosque in NYC," "Remember 9-11," and "Mo-Ham-ed" was left in a mosque's mailbox.
Sources:
www.dailypress.com/topic/ktxl-news-sacramentomosquetargetedwithtoxicpig,0,6532511.story
Temecula, July 2010: Opponents of a proposed mosque brought dogs to protests in an effort to offend Muslims who may view the animals as ritually unclean.
Sources:
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/18/local/la-me-mosque-20100718
www.nytimes.com/2010/09/04/us/politics/04build.html
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/jkusa.01.html
www.scpr.org/news/2010/08/24/temecula-mosque/
www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/us/08mosque.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/31/local/la-me-0731-mosque-protest-20100731
CONNECTICUT
Bridgeport, August 2010: Picketers targeted a mosque during Ramadan and shouted "murderers" and "Jesus hates Muslims" at worshippers, including children.
Sources:
www.ctpost.com/news/article/Angry-protesters-descend-on-mosque-606515.php
FLORIDA
Gainesville, July 2010: Protestors outside of a local mosque carried signs declaring that "Islam is the devil."
Sources:
www.news4jax.com/news/24148793/detail.html
Jacksonville, May 2010: Vandals firebombed the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida.
Sources:
www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/05/12/Mosque-in-Jacksonville-Fla-firebombed/UPI-85931273693653/
www.news4jax.com/news/23514333/detail.html
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2010-05-11/story/fbi-video-jacksonville-mosque-shows-man-gas-can
Miami, June 2010: Vandals smashed windows and slashed tires at an Islamic center two years after it was targeted by gunfire.
Sources:
www.justnews.com/news/20990455/detail.html
www.justnews.com/news/19940450/detail.html
http://cbs4.com/local/Miami.Dade.Muslim.2.899207.html
Pompano Beach, June 2006: Opponents of a proposed mosque claimed that Muslims "come in to rape the community and go away," and filed a lawsuit to stop construction on the ground that mosque leaders had ties to terrorist organizations.
Sources:
www.justnews.com/news/9367230/detail.html
www.sptimes.com/2006/07/15/Worldandnation/Seeking_a_new_mosque_.shtml
www.theledger.com/article/20070502/NEWS/705020464
GEORGIA
Alpaharetta, June 2010: An Islamic center filed suit after the city council disregarded a favorable recommendation by the city's community development staff and denied permits to expand the center's facilities.
Sources:
www.ajc.com/news/north-fulton/alpharetta-votes-down-islamic-534477.html
Complaint, Islamic Center of North Fulton v. City of Alpharetta, Case 1:10-cv-01922-JOF (N.D. Ga. June 22, 2010)
Lilburn, December 2009: An Islamic center filed suit after the city council refused to grant permits to build a new mosque, and local opponents made anti-Muslim comments, such as "I just don't like Muslims" and "I don't want them taking over our neighborhood."
Sources:
www.cbsatlanta.com/news/21406971/detail.html
www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archives/headlines/82923102.html
Complaint, A.G.A. Islamic Organization v. City of Lilburn, Case 1:09-cv-03549-TWT (N.D. Ga. Dec. 17, 2009)
ILLINOIS
Naperville, April 2010: An Islamic group filed suit against the county after being denied a permit to build a mosque; county officials asked inappropriate questions, such as whether there would be any animal sacrifices on premise; and local opponents falsely claimed the group has ties to terrorist organizations.
Sources:
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=371825
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-08-26/news/ct-met-dupage-zoning-meeting-0827-20100826_1_islamic-center-zoning-proposal-islamic-group
Complaint, Irshad Learning Center v. County of DuPage, No. 1:10-cv-02168 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 8, 2010)
KENTUCKY
Florence, June 2010: Opponents of a proposed mosque have distributed fliers urging neighbors to "to stop the takeover of our country," and have set up a website alleging that the mosque is "the first phase of a Master Plan."
Sources:
www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010308160051
www.fox19.com/global/story.asp?s=12920148
www.fox19.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146
http://the-vigilante.com/2010/08/05/northern-kentucky-rising-stop-the-mosque/
Mayfield, August 2010: The Board of Zoning Adjustments denied a permit for local Muslims to worship in a rented storefront, reversing the board's unanimous decision weeks earlier to grant the same permit.
Sources:
www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Mayfield-to-vote-on-Mosque-Tuesday-101339299.html
www.publicbroadcasting.net/wkms/news.newsmain/article/0/1/1690713
MAINE
Portland, August 2009: The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed suit when the city refused to allow a group of Muslims to use a former television repair shop they had purchased for prayer services and religious study.
Sources:
www.pressherald.com/archive/city-sued-for-barring-use-of-building-as-mosque_2009-08-13.html
www.aclu.org/blog/content/mosque-maine
MARYLAND
Walkersville, June 2007: The town amended its zoning ordinance in an effort to block a mosque from being built on local farmland.
Sources:
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307692,00.html
www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_comments.htm?StoryID=100248
Moxley v. Town of Walkersville, 601 F.Supp.2d 648 (D. Md. 2009)
MICHIGAN
Detroit, May 2010: Vandals damaged a local mosque twice in one week.
Sources:
www.ww4report.com/node/8625
MISSISSIPPI
Madison, August 2009: More than 300 residents signed a petition opposing the construction of a proposed mosque, with many citing fears about radical Islam.
Sources:
www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/mosque_still_debated_in_madison_080309/
Muslims Win Approval for Water, Sewer for Madison Co. Mosque, March 23, 2010, The Clarion-Ledger, at A5.
NEW JERSEY
Wayne, July 2006: After stonewalling approval of a plan to build an Islamic center and mosque for three years, the township of Wayne attempted to exercise eminent domain over the proposed site property, prompting mosque officials to sue.
Sources:
www.strausnews.com/articles/2006/07/27/west_milford_messenger/news/8.txt
Complaint, Albanian Associated Fund v. Township of Wayne, Case No. 06-cv-3217 (D. N.J. Oct. 1, 2007)
NEW YORK
Brooklyn, July 2010: Local residents have vowed to stop construction of a mosque in the Sheepshead Bay area, with one neighbor even threatening to bomb it.
Sources:
www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/37/all_mosquegiveaway_2010_9_10_bk.html
www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_some_in_nabe_fear_planned_mosque.html
www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_some_in_nabe_fear_planned_mosque.html
www.sheepsheadbites.com/2010/01/sheepshead-bay-mosque-controversy/
www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/27/bn_tt_baypeoplemosquerally_2010_07_02_bk.html
www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/08/2010-01-08_some_in_nabe_fear_planned_mosque.html
www.sheepsheadbites.com/2010/07/tea-party-tries-again-another-open-letter/
Carlton, August 2010: A group of teenagers hurled obscenities at Muslim worshippers, shot a gun outside of a mosque, and sideswiped a congregant.
Sources:
www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100914/NEWS01/100914001/1002/NEWS/Holley-teens-face-more-charges-in-mosque-case
www.buffalonews.com/city/article179322.ece
Hudson, September 2010: Three men spray-painted an anti-Muslim epithet on the back wall of a mosque.
Sources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/APebf11f7773e04470bfe7007e7b474aa1.html
www.fox23news.com/news/local/story/UPDATE-3-arrested-accused-of-vandalizing-mosque/p17W3gNh6kWfaQSFbe25TQ.cspx
Manhattan, May 2010: A proposed Islamic community center in Lower Manhattan drew strong opposition both locally and nationally; though two local governmental bodies have denied efforts to block construction of the proposed center, the controversy continues, and one group has filed a lawsuit to stop the center's construction.
Sources:
www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/nyregion/12sept11.html
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/11/AR2010091105704.html
www.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/nyregion/04mosque.html
www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/nyregion/26muslim.html
Staten Island, July 2010: A Catholic church in the Midland Beach area cancelled the sale of a vacant convent to a Muslim group after local residents objected to its use as a mosque, citing terrorism concerns.
Sources:
www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/proposed_midland_beach_mosque.html
www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/07/no_mosque_--_convent_sale_canc.html
www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/07/a_move_on_staten_island_to_bro.html
www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/another_sunday_another_protest.html
www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/foes_of_midland_beach_mosque_s.html
www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/staten_islanders_rail_against.html
www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/nyregion/11mosque.html
NORTH CAROLINA
Durham, November 2009: A local mosque was vandalized three times in one year and worshippers were told to "go to hell."
Sources:
www.newsobserver.com/2009/11/04/174919/durham-mosque-is-vandalized.html
OHIO
Cincinnati, December 2005: Two pipe bombs were detonated outside of a local mosque.
Sources:
www.wlwt.com/news/22020552/detail.html
SOUTH CAROLINA
Taylors, August 2009: Vandals scratched "death to Muslims" into a sidewalk leading into the mosque.
Sources:
www.foxcarolina.com/news/20562663/detail.html
TENNESSEE
Antioch, June 2010: Opponents of a proposed mosque organized a petition in an effort to dissuade a property owner from selling to an Islamic group.
Sources:
www.wsmv.com/news/24072307/detail.html
www.wkrn.com/global/story.asp?s=12730008
www.tennessean.com/article/20100629/NEWS01/6290337/Proposed-Antioch-mosque-is-third-in-Middle-Tennessee-to-face-opposition
www.wsmv.com/news/24840082/detail.html
Brentwood, May 2010: A local Islamic group withdrew a plan to build a mosque after public outcry.
Sources:
Brentwood mosque not alone in defeat, The Tennessean, May 23, 2010
Columbia, February 2008: Neo-Nazis burned down a mosque.
Sources:
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330504,00.html
Murfreesboro, May 2010: Opponents of a planned mosque have vandalized the mosque site, including setting fire to construction vehicles.
Sources::
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/murfreesboro-tennessee-mosque-plan-draws-criticism-residents/story?id=10956381
www.tennessean.com/article/20100621/NEWS06/6210329
www.tennessean.com/article/20100831/NEWS01/8310344/Vigil-in-support-of-mosque-near-Murfreesboro-draws-150-people
http://blogs.tennessean.com/opinion/2010/09/05/stand-up-for-religious-freedom
Nashville, February 2010: Vandals spray-painted "Muslims go home" on a mosque and left a vitriolic, hate-filled letter railing against the Muslim faith.
Sources:
http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/community-reaches-out-local-islamic-center-after-hate-crime
TEXAS
Arlington, July 2010: Vandals burned playground equipment at a mosque and spray-painted a picture of Uncle Sam assaulting Allah in the parking lot.
Sources:
www.publicbroadcasting.net/kera/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1685053
www.star-telegram.com/2010/07/28/2368772/arlington-mosque-reports-vandalism.html
Houston, October 2009: A vandal scrawled religious slurs on the outside walls of a local mosque.
Sources:
www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6658660.html
www.click2houston.com/news/21242744/detail.html
Katy, December 2006: Opponents of a plan to construct a mosque held pig races every Friday evening on bordering property in hopes of offending Muslims on their holy day.
Sources:
www.katytimes.com/articles/2006/12/04/news/01news.txt
www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/new/7190476.html
www.katytimes.com/articles/2006/12/04/news/01news.txt
www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-27-2007/loathe-thy-neighbor
Lubbock, October 2006: Vandals attacked a local mosque three times in one month.
Sources:
http://lubbockonline.com/stories/102606/loc_102606030.shtml
WASHINGTON
Bellevue, June 2010: Vandals smeared excrement on an Islamic center's van, which featured advertisements promoting Islam.
Sources:
www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/news/97187474.html
WISCONSIN
Wilson, May 2010: A new mosque was vandalized shortly after it opened following a long anti-Mosque campaign conducted by local residents.
Sources
www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100505-sheboygan-muslims,0,4795698.story
www.wtaq.com/blogs/post/jbader/2010/jun/11/sheboygan-mosque-already-vandalized
www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100308-mosque-controversy,0,3267768.story
www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2011842,00.html?xid=rss-mostpopularemail
www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/94019264.html
www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100517-mosque-decision,0,2329452.story
www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100518-mosque-folo,0,4253936.story
Green Bay, August 2010: Opponents of a proposed mosque, including city council members, made a number of anti-Muslim remarks.
Sources:
www.sheboyganpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20108180478
www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/green-bay-council-to-review-mosque-plans
www.wfrv.com/news/local/Mosque-gets-approval-in-Green-Bay-100959029.html
www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100818/GPG0101/8180478/Green-Bay-OKs-Velp-Avenue-site-for-mosque
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