Police in Arizona formed a line in the middle of the street to keep anti-Islam protesters and counter protesters separated on May 29 during a contentious "Muhammad Art Contest" rally outside a Phoenix mosque attended by the gunmen responsible for an attack at a similar competition in Texas earlier this month.
The controversial event was scheduled to concur with jummah, the Friday night communal prayer, at the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix. Organizers of the event said their plan is to "expose Islam" and to warn the acquaintances of the two gunmen who opened fire in Texas, according to NBC News.
Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi were members of the mosque for some time prior to their May 3 attack on a "Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest" in Garland, Texas, The Guardian reported.
The event, which was sponsored by the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), offered a $10,000 prize for best cartoon depictions of the prophet Muhammad. Both Simpson and Soofi were killed by SWAT officers after they opened fire during the event.
Muslims regard any depictions of prophet Muhammad to be sacrilegious - the practice is harshly frowned upon by Islamic law.
Former Marine Jon Ritzheimer was the organizer of the 'Freedom of Speech Rally Round II,' and unlike some of the participants of the rally, he has no tolerance for Islam. His T-shirt was emblazoned with the words "F--- Islam." Some members of both groups wore shirts designed with more tolerable signs, such as "God is Love."
Ritzheimer, who encouraged participants of the rally to come armed in case pro-Islamic groups decide to attack the event, also saidt he does not support any threats being made to the particular mosque.
"I don't condone any threats being made to the mosque," Ritzheimer said. "People are also encourage to utilize there [sic] second amendment right at this event just in case our first amendment comes under the much anticipated attack."
Imraan Siddiqi, head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Arizona, issued a warning urging Muslims to stay away from the area because it's not safe since the protesters were not coming for a dialogue.
"CAIR has advised local Muslims to try and steer clear of this because if people are spewing this level of rhetoric and this level of hatred, this is not a forum for dialogue," Siddiqi said on Friday afternoon.
Despite the fears of violence, the rally was relatively peaceful with heavy police security. Both groups reportedly held signs and yelled at each other with the police standing between them. Most waved the American flags.