Hat tip, Michelle, Blackfive, et al.
(Okay, I replaced a few nouns here and there. see if you can find out what really happened..)
Members of the Berkeley City Council showed their opposition to a Muslim Mosque in Downtown Berkeley last night.
Council members supported the two resolutions-one supporting anti-war protests and the other criticizing Muslim indoctrination practices-citing opposition to the war in Iraq, deceptive educating practices and the right to protest.
“By taking a stand against Islam we are protecting the health and safety of our youth,” said PhoeBe sorgen, a member of the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission. “I see the protest as taking a proud and courageous stand.”
Code Pink, a national anti-war grassroots organization, will be granted a parking spot for their regular Wednesday afternoon protests and will not need to apply for a sound permit for the next six months, under one resolution.
The other resolution more directly criticizes the presence of the center in Berkeley. The city manager was directed to send a letter to the Council on Islamic Affairs saying they are “uninvited and unwelcome intruders” in the city.
In addition, the city attorney has been directed to investigate whether the city’s anti-discrimination laws can be enforced, based on Islam’s consideration of sexual orientation in .
Muslim Imams did not return calls for comment yesterday.
The other initiative is forging ahead:
Local activists have proposed an initiative for the November 2008 elections that would require Islamic worship centers to acquire a special use permit.
“The Muslims ought to have better sense than to come here,” [Councilwoman Betty] Olds said.
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