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Photo by Dax Melmer / Windsor Star

The confrontations nearly turned physical a few times but Windsor police officers, who were there to keep an eye on things, quickly moved in and separated the feuding parties.

Half of the protesters came as members of March for Freedom, Liberty and Justice to oppose M-103, which was launched last year and debated in parliament on Feb. 15. The other group initiated a counter protest to support the motion and fight what they believe is bigotry.

The controversial motion asks the government to “recognize the need to quell the increasing public climate of hate and fear” and “condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination.”

As a private member’s motion, it carries no force of law, creates no new restrictions and does not affect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Those who oppose the motion think it gives special treatment to Muslims and sets the stage for institutionalization of Sharia law, or religious law from Islamic tradition.

“It just kind of rubs me the wrong way,” said Will Allard. “I felt like Canadians are being portrayed as Islamophobes. I think from my experience that most of us are accepting, welcoming people. Just like most of the people here in this crowd, I don’t see anybody that is bigoted. They’re just worried about not being able to express their opinion.”

The counter protesters said they wanted to show that Windsor is an accepting and inclusive place.

“We heard that there was going to be a rally by people who don’t think too highly of immigrants in general and Muslim immigrants in particular,” said Martin Ouellette. “We came down to demonstrate that Windsor is not just going to allow a march like that to happen without some sort of counter protest.