Falwell's anti-Muslim bigotry spurs protest
By G. Dunkel
New York
Shouting, "CBS, shame, shame, shame!" some 2,000 people
marched from the CBS offices on West 57th Street to the Fox
Studios in Times Square here Oct. 13. They were protesting the
segment of the CBS program "60 Minutes" that gave right-wing
evangelist Jerry Falwell the opportunity to attack Islam and
its founder Muhammad.
Referring to massive protests in India sparked by Falwell's
diatribe, a speaker from the Islamic Council of North America
said: "Hate speech is not free speech. His speech has brought
hatred out against Muslims throughout the world. We demand an
apology from CBS as well as Falwell and equal time on '60
Minutes.' "
In India, anti-Muslim attacks by police and bigots killed
five people and severely injured 90 during a general strike and
demonstrations generated by Falwell's interview.
Sara Flounders, representing the International ANSWER
coalition--Act Now to Stop War and End Racism--linked Falwell's
interview and the coming Pentagon war against Iraq. She
explained: "Falwell's interview has to be seen as part of
President Bush preparing for a new war by spreading bigotry,
racism and hatred to divide the people. It is important to
demand respect and dignity and an end to racism."
She called for a big turnout for the Oct. 26 anti-war march
and rally in Washington.
Falwell's bigotry was not the only issue raised. The
Bangladesh American Islamic Society marched behind a banner
that said: "Stop the Killing in Palestine."
On Oct. 14, CNN announced that Falwell had been forced to
issue an apology.
Reprinted from the Oct. 24, 2002, issue of
Workers World newspaper
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