Pamela Geller and Garland Shooting, a breach of public safety with gratuitous defense of freedom of speech

Dallas, Texas – “Here we go again at the game of provoking and getting provoked, causing undesirable public safety nightmares.”  Mike Ghouse, president of America Together foundation said in a statement released today.

“We condemn the shooting at Garland, Texas at ‘'Muhammad Art Exhibit’ intended as an expression of free speech by drawing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad to provoke Muslims for no reason.  We do realize that we have no control over those who tease people, and those who get irritated and resort to violence. Both are nut cases causing public safety concerns tearing the cohesive fabric of our nation.”

There is no doubt, we have to defend the freedom of speech, that is the God given right of every human, indeed, I have defended Pamela Geller’s right to speak when United Kingdom banned her speech in London. We have defended the rights of Pastor Terry Jones to burn copies of the Quran in Florida, and have defended Sheikh Rachid al-Ghannouchi's right to free speech at Yale which Pamela Geller opposed.  

We need to care about our nation and do those things that build a cohesive America, where fellow Americans can come together with respect and dignity for each other rather than irritate and provoke each other.”

The organizers of 'Muhammad Art Exhibit' at Garland ISD facility “said they were exercising their freedom of expression. The district's decision drew criticism from critics and Islamic groups who said the event was an attack on Islam.” Dallas Morning News.

The Muslim community was very well prepared, and had decided to stay out of it and not even pay attention to it. However two stray men fell to the provocation and took it upon themselves to shoot out.  The Muslim community condemns that action. Indeed, Imam Zia Sheikh is concerned about the after effects, “Media and right wing will have a field day with this. Just what we didn't want.” We regret the whole incident.

We do support the decision of Garland ISD to rent the facility, and urge the FBI and Police to do a thorough investigation and the find out who else was involved with the shooters, so we can take corrective action. 

I urge Pamela Geller to continue to defend freedom of speech and I will stand with her as I have, however, there is no need to provoke fellow Americans and cause safety issues for the public, we have enough problems to deal with and don’t need any more of these incidents.