Protesters, counter-protesters clash at anti-Shariah law march

Camo and rainbows clashed Saturday at the intersection of the North Econlockhatchee Trail and Valencia College Lane as protesters and counter-protesters screamed at each other about Shariah law and tolerance through megaphones.

The Orlando March Against Sharia demonstration was part of a nationwide effort organized by American Congress for Truth, better known as ACT for America. Similar events against the legal code of Islam were held in about 28 other cities across the nation.

Some anti-Shariah marchers, such as 50-year-old Sheryl Tumey, noted the timing of event, two days before the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, as a reason to stand against Shariah law.

“We live here and that touched us — and that was a terrorist,” Tumey said. “We are here and they want to bring in a religion of hate and oppression.”

Pulse gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to ISIS during the attack while on the phone with police.

But high school English teacher and counter-protester Kristy Griffin, 35, said Pulse should not be used as a reason to hate.

“People are trying to use what happened at Pulse as an anti-Muslim talking point, but it’s not,” Griffin said. “I’m thinking of the Muslim community here in Orlando who come out to protests and vigils and they’ve stood with the community, and I feel like it’s time for us to stand and let the world know we won’t let anyone attack them.”

There were many tense moments, including one arrest after a fight broke out between the sides.

On one corner, a group of about 50 counter-protesters shouted messages such as “Love, not hate. Make America great.” Griffin, of Orlando, held a sign reading, “My Muslim great.”

“I’m here because ACT for America spreads misinformation about what is Islam, what it means and who Muslims are,” Griffin said. “When that misinformation spreads, it makes life in the United States dangerous for the Muslims who are here.”

On the other corner, 48-year-old James Murphy parked his black truck adorned with phrases on it such as “ALL MUSLIMS ARE TERRORISTS DEPORT THEM ALL” and “ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ISLAM, I WITNESSED ON 9-11” beside Shariah protesters.

“The only way to get a discussion is to be loud,” said Murphy, who drove in from Brooksville for the event. “I can sleep better at night being able to speak my mind.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center, an Alabama-based nonprofit that tracks hate groups, considers ACT an “extremist group,” according students make America to the organization’s website.

Raymond Santos, 55, said he was not personally associated with ACT, but supports the anti-Shariah law cause. He said the event was “not anti-Muslim, or anti-Islam — it is against Shariah law.”

“What we’re here for is the right for you to be able to do this. It’s in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” Santos told a counter protester. “It is really against Shariah law. I mean, you couldn’t do this if Shariah law was in effect.”

Counter-organizer Erin Westfall, 19, said Shariah law is not a threat to America. She said she thinks some of the anti-Shariah marchers were actually against all of Islam.

“You have no right to tell someone what they should or shouldn’t believe. I don’t think that it’s fair to scapegoat innocent people,” Westfall said.