Dozens turn out to support Houston Muslims Only 10 show up to demonstrate against Islamic center in library

A rally outside the downtown Houston Islamic Da'wah Center Saturday attracted about a dozen protesters, more than 50 counterprotesters and a local resident armed with a fully charged bubble machine.

A group calling themselves Heart of Texas called for the rally to protest what they consider "Islamization" of Texas - sparked in part by the recent opening of a privately funded library inside the downtown center. The group had also encouraged followers to bring legal firearms.

Although the Heart of Texas group never showed, about 10 people bearing flags of the United States, Texas and the Confederacy were there. "This is America. We have the right to speak out and protest," said Ken Reed, who wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "White Lives Matter." "We feel Texas, our great state and the United States is being threatened by the influx of Islam."

A lawyer representing the Islamic center said they would not organize any kind of counterprotest. "It would have given the hate group exactly what they wanted, which was a bigger audience and a bigger platform, and endangered people," said Faisal Shah, attorney for the center at 201 Travis St.

Protesters were dwarfed by about 60 people there to support Muslims in the Houston area.

Rachel Schneider-Vlachos, a doctoral student in religion at Rice University, said it's important to show the Muslim community that people in Houston are willing to stand with them.

About a dozen people protested against what they called the threat of radical Islam, at the Islamic Da'Wah Center, Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Houston. They were met by several dozen counter-protesters. About a dozen people protested against what they called the threat of radical Islam, at the Islamic Da'Wah Center, Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Houston. They were met by several dozen counter-protesters. Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close Dozens turn out to support Houston Muslims 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

"There are people here who are willing to say Muslim lives matter, and we love our Muslim neighbors," she said.

Houston police kept the opposing groups on opposite sides of the street. A person thought to be sympathetic to the counterprotesters turned on a bubble machine that sent hundreds of shimmering, soapy bubbles cascading on the anti-Islamic Center group.

The protest and counterprotest grew raucous at times but was for the most part peaceful. Houston police did arrest one woman for interfering with a police officer. She is accused of not moving out of the way when officers were trying to maneuver one of their vehicles through the area.

Ome Mikiztli, who covered his face with a bandana, said he heard about the counterprotest and wanted to take part.

"I try to show solidarity with any kind of movement that opposes fascism and racism," he said.

Although protesters were encouraged to bring their firearms to the rally, Andrew Gomez was one of the few who did. He kept an AR-15 rifle hanging from a shoulder strap.

"I'm just exercising my right to carry. I'm not threatening. I'm just taking my own precautions," Gomez said.

The Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner, a Methodist minister, said she wasn't surprised that many more people showed up to support the Islamic Center than oppose it.

"We are a diverse city, ethnically and religiously. The voices of hate and exclusion are being drowned out," she said.