A demonstrator holds the U.S. flag during the "Freedom of Speech Rally Round II" across from the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix, Arizona May 29, 2015. REUTERS/Nancy Wiechec Just weeks after a contest that encouraged participants to draw caricatures of the prophet Muhammad ended in deadly gunfire in Texas, another such event was happening in Phoenix.

Marine veteran Jon Ritzheimer has organized what's being called a "freedom of speech" rally, which was being held in front of a mosque Friday night.

Ritzheimer stated his purpose loud and clear before saying a word during an interview with AZCentral.com.

As he sat in front of a camera, Ritzheimer wore a t-shirt that read "F*** Islam." Still, Ritzheimer — who says he's a patriot and an atheist — claimed, "I don't condone any threats against the mosque.

A Facebook post for the event, encouraged participants to "utilize their Second Amendment rights" while at the gathering.

Jon Ritzheimer organized the "Freedom of Speech Round II" rally held outside a mosque in Phoenix. AZCentral.com

It was billed as both a protest of the shootings that happened at a Muhammad drawing contest in Texas earlier this month and also a means to, as Ritzheimer put it, "push out the truth about Islam."

Naturally, there were some strong opinions for, and against the issue being voiced on social media. Among them, the hashtag, #NotMyAmerica generated many thousands of takes:

The event prompted extra police patrols in Phoenix, and members of the targeted mosque had reportedly been asked to skip prayer services Friday night. For its part, the city's Human Relations Commission issued this statement:

"When freedom of speech is used to vilify entire groups of people because of who they are or what they believe, the Human Relations Commission must speak. It may be legally permissible to protest the Islamic community in Phoenix, but it is hateful and ill-conceived conduct that hurts our entire community and creates the misimpression that Phoenix is intolerant and unwelcoming."