Michigan Students Fight Florida Pastor’s Anti-Muslim Attacks

They're fighting hate with love. And winning.

By Jamilah King Oct 10, 2012

Florida pastor Terry Jones got the world’s attention back in 2010 when he set fire to the Quran, the Islamic holy book. His screeds gained national prominence during the whole debate over the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" that year. Now, he’s back. Jones and his cronies will be protesting what they’re calling "Muslim gangs" at of Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, Michigan this morning. 

The Detroit News has more:

Jones, 60, said he plans to meet with the school’s principal about what he says is a problem with Muslim teens beating up other students.

Dearborn schools spokesman David Mustonen has said Jones’ claims of bullying by Muslim students are unfounded.

Jones has been a frequent visitor to Dearborn, where he has criticized what he calls "radical elements of Islam." Jones’ critics say his protests have been nothing but "hate speech."

Administrators at the school say that classes will go on as normal today. But students at the school are fighting back against Jones’s attacks. Several of them have started the Intergroup Dialogue Student Leadership Team, which will begin student-led workshops and host guest speakers to help "facilitate dialogue to celebrate different cultures." They outlined some of their goals in this video:

The group is asking for donations to help support their work by October 31, 2012.