Event poster

Muslim-Americans in Michigan called for “deterrent legal measures” to fight Islamophobia in the wake of videos such as the movie trailer that contributed to protests in the Middle East.

“There is a need for deterrent legal measures against those individuals or groups that want to damage relations between people, spread hate and incite violence,” Osama Siblani, Publisher of The Arab American News said in a statement. “It is a need that Americans should seriously consider.”

Sibliani is one of the organizers of a rally in Dearborn, Mich., that will denounce both the video and the deadly terrorist attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Libya. “While we condemn violence against innocent Americans abroad, we equally condemn the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims,” he said in the statement.

From the event announcement:

The gathering is expected to draw a large crowd of community members and leaders, clergy, and public officials of all persuasions who continue to reject the messages of hate and Islamophobia that have gained momentum, most recently with the production of the provocative and derogatory film “Innocence of Muslims.” The gathering will stress that the rise of Islamophobia is hurting America’s national interests, its image abroad and inciting worldwide violence.

Sibliani’s co-organizer, attorney Tarek Baydoun, also said, “We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to sow the seeds of hate and discord against the religious beliefs of other.”