On Feb. 13, the Islamic Circle of North America sponsored a fundraiser in order to establish a shelter for battered and homeless women in the city of Yorba Linda, Orange County.
A few hundred right-wing fascists rallied outside the fundraiser harassing the Muslim attendees, who were predominantly families. Tea Party activists were among the group. They chanted, “Go back home,” and called them “terrorist lovers,” as well as an array of other obscene things.
Villa Park city councilwoman Deborah Pauly spoke at this rally, where she threatened those inside saying, “As a matter of fact, I know quite a few Marines who would be very happy to help these terrorists to an early meeting in Paradise.” She continued to spew the anti-Arab and Islamophobic rhetoric that has been used to justify the imperialist wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
One month later, on March 22, over 500 people gathered outside of a Villa Park City Council meeting to stand up against the racist Pauly in response to her hate speech and threats. The rally was sponsored by ICNA, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, the ANSWER Coalition and others.
The crowd was young, multinational and militant. Pauly’s handful of supporters were quickly overwhelmed by the large group of anti-racist protesters. The racists were pushed to the edges of the demonstration, having no platform for their hate speech. They were drowned out by chants of “Say it loud, say it clear, Muslims are welcome here!”
March Forward! veterans also participated in the rally, standing up against the same views strongly pushed on soldiers who occupy Middle Eastern countries. The presence of veterans flew in the face of Pauly’s reactionary statements that amounted to a blanket generalization of soldiers as being racist.
Racist demagogues like Deborah Pauly have to be confronted wherever they appear.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation has always, and will continue to fight racism, Islamophobia, and bigotry with the masses. This kind of hate speech is unacceptable. The PSL is dedicated to exposing all forms of racism and defeating it in the streets to build a united working-class movement. When the people are under attack, the PSL stands up, and fights back!
