I’m going to Islamberg

I was at my favorite diner minding my own business when two guys began talking loudly about the “problem with muslims”. I won’t go into details of what they said. Why bother? They’re just repeating what mainstream media is saying – and clearly these guys are emboldened by he who shall not be named.

I was furious, but I’m not writing to complain about those guys. Instead I want to emphasize we have an opportunity to stand up to anti-Muslim hate this Sunday.

An anti-Muslim biker rally is planning to target Islamberg and we’ve been invited to join The Muslims of America, Inc. (TMOA) for a peace rally.

Let’s go! I’m inviting you to join me.

(it’s about an hour and a half from Ithaca)

This anti-muslim rally comes a year after a former Congressional candidate Robert Doggart was arrested for a plot to attack the community with explosives and automatic weapons (articles linked at the end of this email).

This plot of violence followed a Fox “News” story which described Islamberg as “mysterious compound” and used the words “secluded”, “radical”, and “terrorist” in the opening paragraph.

Not only are these lies absurd, but they translate into real threats. These lies held little merit in the local community where Islamberg is located. But Doggart and his accomplices from Tennessee don’t know the local community.

Residents of Islamberg are like any of us – they have jobs, friends, and attend events outside of their immediate neighborhood. From what I gather, the community could be compared to our own Eco-Village, organized around shared values and living close to the land.

Besides having accusations debunked and challenged in court, they did exactly what they were meant to do: provide a target for anti-muslim sentiment.

This is why we must stand with Islamberg this weekend.

Register here.

Neighbors and supporters from the surrounding communities in New York State are joining The Muslims of America, Inc. (TMOA) in hosting a PEACE RALLY to be held Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 1pm.

Hundreds of supporters are expected from around the country to stand in solidarity on Islamberg the very day the bikers planned to protest.

They ask that you register before attending. Click Here to Register.

After getting to know some of the community members last week at our library event (which was great btw, Thanks for coming everyone!) I can’t miss this opportunity to show support for Islamberg.

I’ll just get up a little earlier that day to work in the garden before heading off to the event. I really do hope you’ll join me.

If anyone in the DAL community would like to go, and wants to organize carpool from Ithaca area, I can help coordinate. Just hit reply and let me know.

Oh, and if you’ve got questions, give me a call. My cell phone number is (607)-592-5208. Here’s the registration link again.

in Solidarity,

Ryan Clover-Owens
Durland Alternatives Library
www.alternativeslibrary.org

Related Links:

– American Muslims: Facts vs. Fiction- Video from TMOA

– American Taliban (Private Militia) Besiege Islamberg