A group of Donald Trump supporters, led by “street preacher” Ruben Israel, traveled several hundred miles to Phoenix, Arizona in order to protest the local Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, much to the annoyance of the neighbors.
At the time of protest, the mosque was actually empty.
There was no gathering of the faithful at the time of the gathering. When questioned about rallying outside of an empty building, Israel said that they were simply exercising their first amendment right:
“We’re trying to say keep it on the sidewalk, exercise free speech. It’s our free speech to take their holy book and rip it like this.”
The street preacher then proceeded to tear a page out of the Quran, saying that “We can do this.”
Though the mosque was empty of any worshipers, Israel did not abandon his chance to argue with the neighbors. Reprimanding them for allowing the mosque to exist at all and at their lack of aggression against it or any of its attendees:
“You got a mosque right here and you’re not doing anything about it. I hope when Trump gets into office he turns this wicked building into a 7-Eleven.”
The president of the Islamic Community Center said that Israel and his protester’s message was clearly meant to intimidate, but he understands that the majority of Americans do not share their belief.
You can view local coverage of the event here.
Featured image obtained by Screengrab via KPNX.
