By Written by Caitlin Salovich and Azmia Ricchuito
A group of middle-aged men from Texas are holding regular target practices in preparation of a so-called “Muslim uprising.”
“A lot of us here are using either pig’s blood or bacon grease on our bullets, packing it in the middle, so that when you shoot a Muslim, they go straight to hell. That’s what they believe in their religion,” said ‘Bureau of American Islamic Relations’ (BAIR) spokesperson David Wright.
[Editor’s note: Oh?! LOL, k.]
“Do you really expect me to stand here and wait until we get to that point? I am not going to wait until we get to that point. I’m going to start doing something about it now.”
Following the deadly attacks on civilians in Paris last November, members of BAIR organized an armed rally outside a Texas mosque to “stop the Islamization of America”. Wright, along with millions of Americans, are convinced a similar attack will be carried out if the U.S. does not block Syrian refugees from the borders.
“A protest could very easily turn into a battle in, like, one second,” Wright says.
Let’s not forget that Wright and his crew are the ones showing up to mosques–peaceful places of worship, where people typically aren’t packing heat, let alone shouldering military-style semi-automatic rifles–armed to the teeth. Imagine if groups of Muslims did the same thing. By the way–this analogy, folks–is a perfect example of “white privilege.”
BAIR is headquartered in Irving, Texas, the same town that was nationally recognized after 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school.
The ongoing message of hate and anti-Islam is painstakingly present at various levels throughout the Lone Star State. Just last year, Irving mayor Beth Van Duyne supported a bill aimed at blocking Muslim influence in United State courts. Religious leaders such as Pastor Robert Jeffress have also gained media attention by preaching Islamic hate to First Baptist Church’s congregation of nearly 11,000.
Anti-Muslim groups like BAIR share the same dangerous views as Donald Trump, a presidential candidate who proudly proposed a ban on Muslims entering the US as part of his 2016 campaign.
Notice that flag they’re posing in front of? The BAIR movement appears to be part of a larger group of anti-government, right-wing extremist wackos called the “Three Percenters.” Sometimes considered a Tea Party off-shoot, they’re also known as “threepers.” They’re ideologically similar to “Oath Keepers,” and consider themselves to be defenders of the Constitution.
However, it seems their willingness to defend the Constitution and American values seems to both begin and end with the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
They believe that they’re special little snowflakes who will save America, deriving their name from the (historically inaccurate) belief that during the Revolutionary War, an estimated 3% of Americans were fighting at any one time. They believe themselves to be the 3% who will rise up and fight again when the time comes…and apparently, they envision that battle as one to be fought against Muslims.
Perhaps someone should remind them that freedom of religion is a Constitutional right as well?
Their co-founder, Mike Vanderboegh, wrote a novel called Absolved, which was later alleged to have inspired a biological attack–can we say terrorism?–plot that was thwarted when four Georgia militia members were arrested. They also supported the recent Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
One of their more famous members is Jon Ritzheimer; he’s the nut job known for hosting armed hate protests outside of mosques. Originally, he was rolling with the Oath Keepers…until they pretty much booted him out after he announced his plans for extremist plots, and they probably rightfully decided he was unstable and potentially dangerous. Naturally, he subsequently took up with the Three Percenters, a group with whom his propensity for hate speech and unnecessary threats of violence targeting innocents was not only accepted, but encouraged.
“They see America as their country even though many Muslims have lived here for years. Their view of Muslims is based on ISIS stereotypes,” said Steph Atkinson, a BBC filmmaker. Atkinson’s new documentary, United States of Hate: Muslims Under Attack, reveals that 55% of Americans reported having negative feelings towards Islam.
The number of hate crimes against Muslims in the United States has soared since the beginning of the presidential race. A total of 180 violent anti-Muslim incidents have been reported across the country with a surge in December after the San Bernardino shootings.
But despite the heightened attitude of hatred towards Muslims, fueled mainly by politicians and the media, not everyone is ready to jump on the Islamophobia bandwagon. Members of the Irving community recently created an anti-BAIR Facebook page in an effort to counter the armed hate group.
Meanwhile, JUST LOOK AT ALL THIS ADORABLE COUNTER-TERRORISM.
SO. CUUUUUUUTE.
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