Speakers from a diverse set of groups on Wednesday said they feared violence against Muslim Oklahomans unless people speak out against remarks made by state Rep. John Bennett comparing the religion to a cancer.

The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations began criticizing Bennett on Sept. 3 after he wrote a Facebook post saying people should be wary of those who say they are Muslim American. Bennett, R-Sallisaw, stood by his remarks and Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Dave Weston defended him.

At a town meeting Monday night in Sallisaw, Bennett said the Islamic faith “is a cancer in our nation that needs to be cut out.” He said Islam is a sociopolitical movement intent on world domination and destruction of Western civilization.

On Wednesday, members of religious and diversity groups lined up on the grass in the center median of N Lincoln Boulevard across from Oklahoma Republican Party headquarters to say Bennett’s remarks amount to an incitement of violence against Oklahoma Muslims.