Ritzheimer selected the site of the contest, the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, because Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi attended the mosque

'Of course I'm a believer in free speech and the First Amendment. I'm also a believer in good judgment and common sense,' said Ducey

Law enforcement and Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona expressed how worried they were about the event

Ritzheimer urged attendees to bring guns to the event and had shirts made that read 'F*** Islam'

One member of ISIS sent out a tweet about the event threatening an IED attack

The Draw Muhammad contest organized by Jon Ritzheimer in Phoenix, Arizona led to angry clashes between protestors and counter-protestors

An ugly scene unfolded Friday night as armed anti-Islam protestors defiled the Koran and waved around depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in Phoenix.

In an event that led to angry clashes between protestors and counter-protestors holding a Love Rally across the street, these individuals stood their ground despite threats from Islamic extremists.

ISIS called for lone wolf attacks on the man who had planned the Draw Muhammad contest.

Members of the terrorist group even took to social media and posted the home address of Jon Ritzheimer, the anti-Islam creator of the event that had close to 500 in attendance.

ISIS member, Abu Hussain Al Brittani also mocked and threatened Ritzheimer in one tweet after the man urged attendees to bring their guns to the event, saying; 'Whats your little handguns going to do against an IED that sprays 3000+ ball bearings faster than the speed of sound? #Phoenix #AZ'

As for the drawing contest, only one man was seen with illustrations of the hundreds that were there for the protest.

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Heated: Protestors and counter-protestors argue outside the Islamic Community Center

Tension: The Draw Muhammad contest organized by Jon Ritzheimer (above) in Phoenix, Arizona saw mainly peaceful protests from both sides on Friday

Not good: One member of ISIS sent out a very threatening tweet about the event calling for an IED attack on the event

Standing strong: Two demonstrators stand in front of the Islamic Community Center to oppose the "Freedom of Speech Rally Round II" across the street

Armed: A protestor carrying a large weapon at the rally on Friday night

Keeping the peace: Police in riot gear stood between both sides of protestors

Protest: A protestor holds up a political cartoon depicting Muhammad as he rallies outside the Islamic Community Cente

Headache: The event was a huge undertaking for law enforcement in the area, who had to respect the First Amendment rights of the attendees (above) while also making sure things do not get out of hand

The event was a huge undertaking for law enforcement in the area, who had to respect the First Amendment rights of the attendees while also making sure things do not get out of hand.

Ritzheimer planned the event to happen during Friday prayer, a time that the Community Center of Phoenix, where the contest is taking place, would have been most crowded.

The event went far later than that though and well into the night.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey meanwhile seemed less than thrilled about the event.

'Of course I'm a believer in free speech and the First Amendment. I'm also a believer in good judgment and common sense,' he said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security had also been in touch with local authorities and the White House said there was no justification for violence at the rally.

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'Even expressions that are offensive, that are distasteful, and intended to sow divisions in an otherwise tight-knit, diverse community in Phoenix cannot be used as a justification to carry out an act of violence,' said Josh Earnest, White House spokesman.

Roads around the area were closed and multiple cameras were used by law enforcement to record the entire event and keep an eye on what is going on at all times.

Ritzheimer's plea that attendees bring guns made the situation even more tense, with many individuals openly walking around with large and small firearms, which is legal in Arizona.

The first few hours of the event passed without incident, other than some members from both sides yelling back and forth at one another, with police doing an impressive job of keeping the peace.

Rights: Men carrying rifles attend a Freedom of Speech Rally Round II across from the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix

Ritzheimer gave an extended interview at the event, claiming that the counter-protesters at the Love Rally threatened to slit his throat.

He also said they were trying to start fights with his protestors, and when one reporter said that was not the case, and that she had video of three instances in which members of his rally were instigating fights with others, he told that woman he would no longer speak to her and all he would say was 'peace'.

Many of the counter-protestors wore shirts that read 'Love Thy Neighbor,' while those who could not be there took to Twitter using the hashtag NotMyAmerica.

Trying to get noticed: Protester Brother Dean holds a torn copy of the Koran as he rallies outside the Islamic Community Cente

Support: Counter-protesters for religious freedom held up signs, and some had toe be restrained as they argued with the opposing side

Claims: Ritzheimer said the event would stay peaceful as long as none of those worshiping tried to incite violence

Rally: A protestor holds a copy of the Koran as he rallies outside the Islamic Community Center

Speaking out: 'I want this to be about pushing out the truth about Islam,' said Ritzheimer in a recent interview

Dragging on: The event went on well into the evening as protestors on both sides refused to leave

Clashes: Protestors gather outside the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix

Keeping the peace: Police tweeted their thanks as the event came to a close

'This is further proof our First Amendment is under attack,' said Ritzheimer of the protest.

This is tyranny right here.'

He then spoke about what he was risking, saying; 'I'm having to sell my house. My family's been threatened so they're in hiding right now. I'm gonna have to go into hiding after this because they're calling for lone wolves to come and behead me.'

Ritzheimer then said the event would stay peaceful as long as none of those worshiping tried to incite violence.

No one from the mosque was seen at the protest.

'Come here, come to your house of worship and worship peacefully,' Ritzheimer said when asked about their right to freedom of religion.

'The second it rolls over into the streets and you start trying to oppress American citizens that's when patriots like myself take a stand and say "Nuh-uh."

'Enough is enough. I have two beautiful daughters and I'm not gonna let them be raised in a society like that.'

He continued by saying; 'We have to draw the line. If we don't, what's next? What, are they gonna start telling us what not to do next?

Are they gonna start attacking the women for showing their hair? Showing their ankles? Or their other ridiculous stuff?'

When asked to clarify, he added; 'How many Christian hospitals do we have around here? They're out doing good. I haven't seen any Muslim hospitals.'

Bad news: Members of ISIS also released the home address of Ritzheimer (above)

Ritzheimer selected the site of the contest, the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, because Elton Simpson (left) and Nadir Soofi (right) attended the mosque

Love thy neighbor: Counter-protesters hold signs promoting tolerance

Usama Shami, the president of the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, said Thursday that he had been aware of the event and been contacted by both local police and the FBI.

'Everybody has a right to be a bigot. Everybody has a right to be a racist. Everybody has a right to be an idiot,' said Shami.

He also said that prayer services were still planned and that members have been encouraged to attend despite the contest.

Ritzheimer printed commemorative T-shirts with the phrase 'F*** Islam!' embossed on the front.

'There's going to be plenty of them,' he told WFSB.

'I have a whole fresh order coming to the rally.'

'I want this to be about pushing out the truth about Islam,' Ritzheimer told NBC 12.

'I've read the Koran three times... the ones flying the planes into the tower, those are Muslims following the book as it is written.'

Making good: Protestors holding a banner promoting love instead of hate in defense of Muslim neighbors in the face of an anti-Islamic protest

Ritzheimer's other motivation for the event was laid out on Facebook, as he posted earlier this week; 'This is in response to the recent attack in Texas where 2 armed terrorist, with ties to ISIS, attempted Jihad. 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.

'People are also encouraged to utilize there second amendment right at this event just in case our first amendment comes under the much anticipated attack.'

'This is not about race or any other side agenda that the Liberals are making it out to be,' Ritzheimer posted on the event's Facebook page.

'This is purely 100% a Freedom of Speech Rally. Stand Tall and show that we can PEACEFULLY protest our rights that are under attack. That is the sole cause for this Rally and Islam wants to silence us.'

Anti-Islam: A protester holds an American flag and a sign as he stands outside the Islamic Community Center

Harsh words: Protestors and counter-protestors argue outside the Islamic Community Center

Speaking their mind: Women attend the Freedom of Speech Rally Round II across the street from the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix

This was the third event Ritzheimer held in the city since Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi drove to an event in Dallas, Texas on May 3 and attempted to ambush participants at a Draw Muhammad contest there.

The shooting unfolded as the American Freedom Defense Initiative held an event inside the building where caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad were being displayed. Followers of Islam deem that any physical depiction of the prophet - even a positive one - is blasphemous.

Simpson, identified in court papers as an American Muslim, had been convicted of lying to federal agents about his plans to travel to Somalia five years ago, but a judge ultimately ruled it could not be proved that he was heading there to join a terror group. He was placed on probation.

Soofi shared an apartment with Simpson at the Autumn Ridge complex in Phoenix.

Pamela Geller, the organizer of the event and the leader of Stop Islamisation of America, wrote on her personal website after the attack: 'This is a war. This is war on free speech. What are we going to do? Are we going to surrender to these monsters?'

In a post in late March, she insisted that the event was necessary to fight back against what she described as 'the jihad against freedom'.

It was set up by the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) and had been described by opponents as an attack on Islam. They booked the center a little more than a week after Islamic militants in France killed 12 people at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The Garland Independent School district, who own the cultural center, allowed the event to go ahead despite criticism from residents and local Muslims that it was a risk to public safety.

The group spent $10,000 on 40 additional security officers, aware of potential threats they may attract, while Garland Police officers were fully prepared to deal with any issues that arose.

Before the event, the New York-based organization made the headlines for its sponsorship of anti-Islamic adverts which it paid to run on transit systems in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and San Francisco.

A picture taken from inside the event just before the attack showed Geller giving a check for $12,500 to Bosch Fawtin who won the event.

Armed: Many at the event were openly carrying weapons

Love rally: A demonstrator holds a sign at a "Freedom of Speech Rally Round II" across the street from the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix

Very vocal: 'This is further proof our First Amendment is under attack,' said Ritzheimer of the protest

Banned: A man holds up a placard showing cartoons during a Freedom of Speech Rally Round II outside the Islamic Community Center

Hard work: Police separate protestors outside the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix

Ritzheimer selected the site of the contest, the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, because Simpson and Soofi formerly attended the mosque.

They had not been to the Community Center since 2010.

Ritzheimer appeared on CNN Thursday night promoting the event in an interview with Anderson Cooper in which he compared himself to one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence.

'Well, I'm really trying to achieve exposing Islam and the truth about what's written in the Koran. … Some would even probably argue that the signers that signed the Declaration of Independence was a bad idea, back in their day,' he told Cooper.

'I just don't want to live in fear. I shouldn't have to live in fear,' he added.

Local businesses did all they could to stay out of Friday night's events after Ritzheimer said people should meet at a local Denny's before and that there would be a party after the event at Wild Bill's Saloon.

Denny's told the group they could not meet in their parking lot, and Wild Bill's Saloon went so far as to close down entirely to avoid hosting anyone at the rally.

The drawing of Muhammad is considered sacrilegious by most members of the Muslim faith as it is believed to promote idolatry, which could lead to revering him in lieu of Allah.