US National Islamic Convention Begins in Houston with Protests, Anti-Protests
The four-day convention is the largest gathering of Muslims focusing on faith and positive change to inspire communities around the world.
Meanwhile, protesters greeted attendees outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center on Saturday afternoon, claiming Islamic views aren't good for America. Counter protesters were on site to defend the Muslims and their right to hold a convention.
A Texas Patriot Network member ran across barriers erected by police around noon and began punching a counterprotester outside the 55th annual Islamic Society of North America convention. Three people were handcuffed, briefly detained and released under the condition they leave the protests for the day, said L.J. Satterwhite, assistant chief of homeland security for the Houston Police Department.
“We want to make sure that whatever happens, it happens peacefully and no one gets harmed,” Satterwhite said. “We have been very blessed to avoid a lot of the problems that other cities have seen. We want to keep that track record going.”
The convention, which runs through Monday, will include talks, prayers, workshops, arts, entertainment and festivities.
Doc Greene, a local radio talk-show personality, helped organize the protest that drew roughly two dozen members from the Texas Patriot Network and white supremacist groups. “We’re clearly outnumbered,” he said. “But we’re never outpowered.”
Across the police barriers, a group of roughly 80 counterprotesters held signs and chanted phrases, including “Nazis, go home.”
Counterprotesters included members of the Houston Socialist Movement, International Socialist Organization, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Refuse Fascism, Socialist Alternative, Young Communist League, Huey P. Newton Gun Club and New Black Panther Party.
“We wanted to let them know that Houston is a majority black and brown city and they are not welcome here. They are not wanted here. We will be here as long as they are here,” said Brother Maitreya, chairman of the Houston chapter of the Huey P. Newton Gun Club. “We are going to be here until we run them out of our city.”
Krystal Mohammad, member of the New Black Panther Party, criticized Greene and his group.
“They were ridiculous. They looked weak,” Mohammad said. “They are anti-American. They are going against the First Amendment that guarantees people freedom of religion. They are going against basic human rights and are trying to deny someone’s religion, and that’s why we were here.”
Javier Olguin said he attended the counterprotest to speak out against the anti-Islamic sentiments.
“If you read the history books, you see the Jim Crow era, you see Japanese detainment camps, you see all these atrocities that happen,” he said. “A lot of people say to themselves, ‘If I were there, I would have done the right thing.’ It’s happening right now, and that’s why everybody is out here. We’re seeing the oppression of a lot of people. When people are not doing anything and they stay silent, they are complicit in that.”
Syed Ridhwaan, who came from San Antonio to attend the conference, said he didn’t feel intimidated by the anti-Islamic protestors, chron.com reported.
“They are vastly outnumbered, so that feels pretty good,” Ridhwaan said. “There are always going to be people who don’t like Muslims, and I’m OK with that.”
Greene defended the views of the Texas Patriot Network, which he said was wrongly being identified as Nazis and racists.
“We don’t hate anybody. We want every Muslim to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ,” he said. “We want every Muslim that comes to America to become an American, and we want them to understand Sharia law is a really bad idea. It hasn’t worked any place it’s been tried, and it won’t work here. We welcome anyone that comes here and wants to be an American. And today, we also want people to know we are grateful for our president, Donald Trump, for making America great again.”
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