opinion

Drawing Mohammed & celebrating the right to be an idiot

A self-professed patriot (read: Muslim hater) is planning a rally tomorrow in front of a northwest Phoenix mosque.

All wrapped up in the American flag and the First Amendment, Jon Ritzheimer says he certainly doesn't want to incite violence.

So naturally, he's planning a Mohammed Cartoon Contest at his rally, which takes place tomorrow evening, right around the time of the mosque's weekly prayer service.

"This will be a PEACEFUL protest in front of the Islamic Community Center …," Ritzheimer wrote on a Facebook page set up for the event, Freedom of Speech Rally Round II. "People are also encouraged to utilize there (sic) second amendment right at this event just in case our first amendment comes under the much anticipated attack."

Don't you mean much hoped for attack, Jon?

The cartoon contest was inspired by a similar event several weeks ago in Garland, Texas, when Phoenix roommates Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi drove cross country to shoot a security guard working the event. Simpson and Soofi, who were killed by police, attended the Islamic Community Center until 2010.

Thus, the rally outside the mosque.

" Everyone is encouraged to bring American Flags and any message that you would like to send to the known acquaintances of the 2 gunmen. This Islamic Community Center is a known place that the 2 terrorist frequented ," Ritzheimer wrote.

It's also a known place where people of faith worship as they choose. We can do that in America, Jon.

Ritzheimer told 12News' Joe Dana that he simply wants to draw attention to a religion that he believes promotes violence. In addition to encouraging people to come armed, he'll be selling T-shirts that say ""F#@% Islam."

The best Mohammed cartoon will be announced after the rally at a bar down the street. (Note: the "afterparty" has been cancelled. The winner will now be announced in front of the mosque.)

So I'm guessing a serious discussion about religion and freedom thereof is probably off the table during this rally.

While it's considered an insult to draw images of the Islamic prophet, I would certainly defend Ritzheimer's right to do so if he was really making a stand for free speech. But this isn't about free speech. It's about provoking an attack and, of course, promoting Ritzheimer.

There's a lot that could be said about this guy's methods. But Usama Shami, speaking to Dana, already said it best, noting that he respects the protesters' right to free speech.

"Everybody has a right to be a bigot. Everybody has a right to be a racist. Everybody has a right to be an idiot."