Thousands of people protest near Ground Zero in opposition to racist Tea Party rally

Thousands of people rallied today in lower Manhattan in defense of
the Muslim, Arab American and South Asian communities that have been
increasingly demonized in recent months.

The demonstration dwarfed the smaller right-wing, racist mobilization
that was organized in opposition to the planned construction of an
Islamic Community Center several blocks from the site of the former
World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.

Today’s demonstration was organized by a broad coalition of
progressive, anti-war, Muslim, Arab American, South Asian and social
justice organizations from the Black, Latino and Asian communities. The
ANSWER Coalition organized its members and supporters to join this
important mobilization against racism and Islamophobia. Speakers at the
demonstration included Ramsey Clark, Cynthia McKinney, representatives
of the International Action Center, December 12th Movement and others.

It is critical for the anti-war movement and all people of conscience
to stand together in defense of the Muslim community, and in opposition
to racism and war.

The ANSWER Coalition is organizing people from all over the East Coast and Midwest to participate in the Stand Up-Fight Back contingent at the Oct. 2 mobilization in Washington, D.C. Click here to sign-up to join the contingent. The Oct. 2 mobilization will draw together hundreds of thousands of working people who will demand jobs, peace and justice.