A Muslim political advocacy group, American Muslim Political Action Committee (AMPAC), is causing controversy because of its plans to hold a “Million Muslim March” in Washington D.C. on September 11. The purpose of the march is to condemn Muslim discrimination following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to encourage the United States government to reveal the “truth” about the event.
TheBlaze explains the history of the group responsible for the event:
The group behind the event, the American Muslim Political Action Committee (AMPAC), is led by M.D. Rabbi Alam, a self-proclaimed 9/11 truther who believes that Jews are somehow behind the plot. AMPAC is radical enough that the Huffington Post even labeled it a “fringe group.”
The press release for the event, describes the objective:
We are demanding that laws be enacted protecting our 1st amendment . We are asking President Obama to fulfill his promise from his first campaign for Presidency of a transparent government. Lastly we are asking for the release of the 9/11 commission report to the American people.
There is some irony to be found in the situation. The press release explains that they will be demanding First Amendment protects, but the very fact that this organization is permitted to march on Washington D.C. on September 11 is about as big an exercise of the First Amendment you will find.
“Aren't you a million strong without being arrested on the mall on 9/11 slapping America across the face, saying now that you demand that you have First Amendment,” Glenn asked. “You have the First Amendment. That's why you're there.”
The press release continues by providing a ‘9/11 Truther’ style argument:
On 9.11.01 our country was forever changed by the horrific events in New York. The entire country was victimized by the acts done on that day. Muslim and Non Muslim alike were traumatized but we as Muslims continue 12 years later to be victimized by being made the villains. To this day every media outlet and anti Islamic organization has committed slanderous and libel statements against us as Muslims and our religion of Islam.
“I just want you to know they're using slanderous and libelous [language] for a very clear reason. That's litigation,” Glenn explained. “They are setting you up and telling you, with just a little bit more power, and we are going to sue you for saying that that Muslims were at all involved in 9/11.”
The press release goes on to make several more head scratching claims, including the accusation that Congress has passed laws that forbids Muslims from adequately practicing Dawa.
“This should prove to be very interesting on 9/11,” Glenn said. “I doubt that anyone is going to cover that extensively. You can bet TheBlaze will be.”
“I'm going to go out on a limb and say they don't get a million people,” Stu predicted. “I'm just going to go out on a limb and say that doesn't happen.”
Glenn, on the other hand, was fairly confident that the organizing arm of this organization could bring out a pretty hearty crowd.
“Don't be surprised. Remember, you have people like Al Sharpton that will help them organize. You will have Louis Farrakhan help them organize,” Glenn explained. “I mean they could have a very large gathering there… He can get, you know, 300,000.”
“Right,” Stu responded. “Well, that's not a million.”
“I know,” Glenn said. “But that's a huge number.”