Mosque Opponents Zero In On Bloomberg

Hizzoner Plays Constitution Card; Lawsuit To Be Filed

August 3, 2010 11:55 PM

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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NEW YORK (CBS 2/1010 WINS) ― With support from Mayor Michael Bloomberg the path was paved Tuesday for a mosque and community center near ground zero.

But opponents said the fight isn’t over.

CBS 2’s Marcia Kramer has the latest on this festering mosque controversy.

It was like a tale of two cities. On the one hand there were images of furious, placard waving opponents of a plan to build the mosque.

“Three thousand murdered. You betrayed them all. You betrayed our firemen and policemen who gave their lives willing to save innocents,” demonstrator Linda Rivera said.

“Be sure to look in those cameras and apologize for this disgrace that has just transpired here. I hope Mayor Bloomberg is satisfied,” Andy Sullivan added.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission met and quickly refused to grant landmark status, in effect agreeing that the building on Park Place near ground zero can be torn down so developers can erect 13-story, $100 million mosque and community center.

And a unanimous round of “ayes” came from the commission.

Several members of a crowd of 50 or 60 applauded, while others shouted “Shame!”

“I have come to the conclusion that 45-47 Park Place does not rise to the level of an individual landmark,” Landmarks Preservation Commission chairman Robert Tierney said.

On the other hand, there was the stark contrast of a press conference held by Bloomberg on Governors Island. The mayor was flanked by religious leaders with the majesty of the Statue of Liberty in the background as he argued that the developers’ right to build a mosque near ground zero was protected by the constitution and the right to religious freedom.

“The World Trade Center site will forever hold a special place in our city, in our hearts, but we would be untrue to the best parts of ourselves and who we are as New Yorkers and Americans if we say “no” to a mosque in lower Manhattan,” Bloomberg said.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said that if you try to exclude one religion from a neighborhood you are trying to exclude all religions.

This may not be the last chapter of this controversial project. Opponents said they’re filing suit Wednesday. The lawsuit will be filed by the American Center for Law and Justice. It is representing a New York City firefighter who survived the 9/11 attacks.

After winning the right to tear down the 152-year-old, developer Sharif El-Gamal was hard to pin down. CBS 2 kept following him to ask about his plans for the mosque, but when we called it a mosque he got defensive.

“It’s a community center. If you call it a community center we will talk,” El-Gamal said.

Others in the Muslim community had plenty to say about the importance of building the mosque.

“We’re trying to send a message that Muslim Americans are not represented by the people who attacked us on 9/11. They don’t represent our religion and they don’t represent us and they violated everything that is Islam,” said Zead Ramadan, president of the Council of Islamic-American Relations of New York.

The imam promoting the project was represented by his wife, Daisy Khan.

“In the words of John Lennon, let’s give peace a chance,” Khan said.

Some opponents said its fine to build a mosque — just not near ground zero.

“I find it unalterably offensive that they would want to establish a huge and very tall mosque where none needs to be,” Marion Dreyfus said.

“More important to the seemliness argument is the fact that they wanted to open this mosque on 9/11, 2011. This is an issue of Islamic dominance,” Sam Numberg added.

JasonS

I love the way Muslims are touting this as an example of the “wonderful freedom” of America. They pay lip service to American liberty when it suits them, not so enthusiastic about American liberty when they’re objecting to the freedom of Americans to speak out against Islamism.

The similar case of a mosque built in Boston is a good example. They tried to counter the controversy with much the same phony rhetoric about freedom and understanding, then when the mosque turned out to be a haven for hate speech and dubious terrorist connections (as everyone predicted but were told that their fears were racist), they unleashed the full wrath of their lawyers in an attempt to silence anyone who pointed it out.

The same will happen here and we’ll have yet another example of the bone headed folly of liberal political correctness to look back upon with contempt.

NYC Nice Guy

Which mosque is this in Boston? Please give more information. I, too, am suspicious of Islam – but I am suspicious of anyone who still believes in a literal Sky God in the 21st Century, some seven million years after the human race has left Africa!

ken

This is wrong. Just plain wrong. Gotta love those supporting the Muslim brothers. They’ll put the knife in your back
buddy love

Lets build a “Pork Rendering” buiness next door. People need to eat.

Ryan

As a Muslim American I can tell you that would be fine. Eat as much pork, chicken, beef that you like — it’s a free country!

MilitaryPilot79

Apparently the country is only free when your a Muslim… The United States might as well send out a statement to execute all of the true Americans and keep Islamic Muslims instead of its own.

Manny

This is a Slap in our face as Americans – thes Islamic are responsible for the Murder & Hatred on Sept 11, 2001 of more than 3200 American lives and Destroy Millions of us forever & to allow them to continue to Do their Dirty Murder @ our doorsteps its Unheard of they are Not faitfuls they are Extremist & Murders/Terrorist – They want to be closer again to Bring Down the Freedom towers & more sooner than later – Shameful Mayor & others who allow this we take it to the Courts to have this stopped. Abolish all there Muslims & send them back where they cam from – Murderers – Killers of USA people & our Life Daily
Ron

Finally a victory for tolerance over the right wing bigotry. Muslims are not the enemy and all leaders have already condemned violence many times. As the article said, the vote to approve the mosque was quick and unanimous – just like it should have been. Only a few right wing nuts came out to protest and then post comments on internet sites. Our mayor supports the new mosque and so do the vast majority of NY’ers.

NYC Nice Guy

There are many who are “tolerant” of Muslims while not mistaking our own tolerance to be anything more than just good manners. Which is why we take Muslims to task for their own lack of the same! How about I gun you down, and then my family decides to build a shrine next to the murder scene depicting what an otherwise upstanding family it is?? Would such an act even make any sense at all, despite all the rhetoric about “peace” and “tolerance?”

Muslims continue to generate ill will by doing sneaky things like this. No one is fooled as to the subtext of this action. Beware those who would use your own values against you!
MilitaryPilot79

RON- the only NYers that support the decision to build the Mosque are hajjis themselves… I as an American can only hope and pray to my higher power that someone scorches it once it is built… Too bad the guy that wrecked his plane into the IRS building in Austin still isn’t here that could have been his final mission.

Alex

I’m a New Yorker…and not that it MATTERS, but I’m not Muslim. I’m of Swedish, Polish, and English decent. I, along with many other New Yorkers, support this building…so you are already wrong. Hoping for another disaster in this city makes you wrong and ignorant.

NYC Nice Guy

Muslims keep asking people to be “sensitive” but I do not see them being sensitive to others. Look at all the countries where Muslims are, they are always agitating and complaining: China, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Russia, Italy…these are people who don’t care about freedom of religion but using the concept when it is to their advantage!
Marc Rand

All muslims are terrorists just as all white people are card carrying klu klux klan members.

MilitaryPilot79

Marc Rand- I grew up ten miles from where the KKK originated… The funny thing is that is where Kentucky Fried Chicken Originated too… Maybe that was the WHITE people coming up with ULTERIOR MOTIVE TOO..
SMART WHITE PEOPLE THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX!!!!!
D

I agree with you on the Muslim part but I’m white and I think the klan was evil and a disgrace.

D.

This is a disgrace to the people in this city and the U.S. soldiers. The real agenda is not caring for the people’s well-being, getting along with others, it’s really about one thing -”MONEY”. they say to respect these Muslims how can we ? When they cannot build somewhere else besides the this sensitive area. They are disrespecting us !!! Give peace a chance – they are suppose to set the example . This “SUCKS”
Kellian

Oh, yes, this mosque is a great idea! Maybe this sort of “Tolerance” can open the door for me to go to Nagasaki as an American and open up a nuclear plant to manufacture weapons. I may even get some concessions and tax breaks from the good people on the city council. The citizens of Japan wouldn’t be offended. Why should they be? I am just there to run a business, not hurt anyone. It would actually benefit the city, right? If you buy this mosque non-sense, then you should buy my proposal. As an American expected to “tolerate” everything and everyone, I am wondering when the rest of the world is going to start tolerating us? If we keep laying down for everyone and every belief, we will be no longer. When are we as Americans going to take America back?

shauntu

Can you atleast tolerate your fellow Americans? Cause the people building this community center are your fellow Americans. Or are believe from a belief system not yours, not acceptable as Americans to you, that you have to take America back from them?

Alex

Agreed Shauntu!! These people are Americans and New Yorkers and this city is their home and their community just like every other New Yorker. No matter what religious doctrine they follow, they have a place in their own city, their own country.
D

They’re not Americans, they just live here and its now about us against muslims. Its good versus evil. The USA is way to kind to ones that hate us. We capture terrorists and we treat them like celebrities. Thats why they’re taking over our country. They’re not scared of us. Obviously not, they have one of their own in the White House. P.S. and I’m not a republican.
militaryfemalepilot

This is a disgrace to my country and my uniform !!!!!
But when people of this country elect a man for president that’s name rhymes with OSAMA what did we expect was going to happen?

Jordan

DAMN!! ya hatin on Muslims. shame on yall.. this is against what USA stands for. its a shame.

D

What we stand for, freedom of religion has become our greatest weakness and they are using it against us.

sacf

These persons are hateful…know nothing of decency or fair play.
They have NO allegiance to USA.
NO MOSQUE….No nothing for muslims!!!!!!!

Alex

These people are New Yorkers…it is their city too. They are Americans..as much so as any of us are. Not every Muslim in the world…millions of them…are terrorists. Just like not all Americans are ignorant.

D

They’re not terorists yet but it doesn’t mean that they don’t believe the same way. I mean, they’re living here enjoying our money and way of living, of course they’re not going to say they support the attacks, they’d get locked up. They’re just thinking it instead of acting on it. But they’re beliefs run thicker than blood and one day they will manifest.

Concerned Citizen

Why can’t the Imam’s come out against Jihad? The reason is because they know it is the right thing, the Koran way, of doing things. After 9/11 I never saw an Ad on TV from the Islamic community condeming such a horrific act.

Ryan

Imam’s denounce terrorism all the time. You just don’t know how to use Google.

Jordan

So, using your logic, the families of people murdered by the 9/11 terrorist attacks and who oppose the Mosque are ant-American.
Samira A

hate who? Im American and Muslim. This is my country and it hurts that there is so much hatred towards Muslims. Whoever is responsible for the 9/11 attacks isnt Muslim, they have no religion.

“This land is my land, this land is your land, from California, to the NY Islands, this land was made for you and me…”

Kermit

This country is not for you, this is not a land for muslims and will never be.
It is open to anyone except your murderous religion of fanatics.
The land for muslims is in burning hell, there you can get raped by mohammed until the end of times.

simplicity

I smell a BIGOT…
mark

what a sad man. I am sorry U get raped as a child. It shows from your comments.

MilitaryPilot79

Hey Mark it’s GOT raped as a child not GET… dee da dee… But if you were a true American you would have had the proper education to have known that….

Alex

I have to agree with those who can think logically and rationally. Ignorance abounds in these comments. What “THEY” did? All Muslim Americans…which are at minimum 1 million and could be as high as five million (depending on what surveys you use)…were involved in the attacks on 9/11? “They” did nothing. They are a part of this city, as are their families, and they have a right to this building. If it is the location that bothers you, maybe consider how 9/11 affected them as well, they are Americans, New Yorkers, and were just as affected if not more when you include the hatred and judgmental stereotyping that followed the terrible events on 9/11. Also, to anyone hoping this building is attacked and innocent men, women and children are harmed…YOU are a terrorist. I prefer these people get their building and YOU leave this country. Anyone hoping for the deaths of innocent people is sick and hateful just like those responsible for 9/11. I’m an American and a New Yorker…and this building doesn’t bother me at all….the ignorance of very uneducated, hateful, violent Americans bothers me.

Capt.79

The last time I checked it is my brothers, sisters and I that keep this country safe at night So if we leave who would keep the freedom in this country so you can still freely keep typing your BS on this site????

Alex

Samira is right. As an American she was just as affected by 9/11 as all Americans were. As a Muslim…she was affected more, because she had HER country ATTACKED and then as a response to that attack…she, and other Muslims, were attacked, hated, and feared even though they have done nothing. 9/11 was the act of extremists who twisted a loving, peaceful and non hateful religion to suit their own agenda. Nothing in the Muslim faith condones what occured on 9/11 (and, by the way, I’m not Muslim…but I have read their doctrine, gone to Mosques, and have actually educated myself long before 9/11). This is OUR country and as a New Yorker I will add this is OUR city. I live in Manhattan, work in the Bronx, and love this country and this city and am happy to see fellow Americans and fellow New Yorkers getting the same right anyone else would. This is their home as MUCH as yours…so don’t talk about how it is a slap in the face to Americans…they ARE Americans.

Capt.79

Alex how many Muslims do you know that have personally stood up to their own to fight this war that Americans like myself have been fighting for 9 yrs now?
I have gone to Iraq 4 times now with each deployment being anywhere from 12 to 15 mths each. I have a great idea why don’t you get out of your cushy little job in the Bronx and go join the military get sent to IRAQ and you do my job for a change.
Oh wait I don’t think you could handle one week there let alone a year.
Let me know how it works out for you when an IED comes flying over the gate and hits an innocent soldier walking by minding his own business. The impact kills him almost instantly but you cant move him or touch him until the IED is disarmed and secured for the safety of everyone else on the base.
Tell me how you would look at these people after that !!! If my memory serves me correctly it was Muslims that declared war against us on 9/11 !!!!

JP01

Ayman Taha or Army Captain Humayun Khan, who lured a suicide car bomb away from the men in his charge, Army Spc. Rasheed Sahib, an American Muslim from Guyana who was killed in Iraq Army Spc. Omead Razani, a son of Iranian immigrants who also died in Iraq. Also, Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Waters-Bey was killed in a helicopter crash on his way to duty in Iraq or Kareem R. Khanor the 10,000 Active Muslims in the Militray including one of my own FAMILY MEMBERS who has been in the military for like 20 years now

Capt.79

U.S. Army Maj. and doctor Nidal Malik Hasan leaves 12 dead at Ft. Hood while injuring several others.

An American soldier was detained after grenades exploded at a US base in Kuwait today, killing one serviceman and wounding 13 others.

An American soldier was detained after grenades exploded at a US base in Kuwait today, killing one serviceman and wounding 13 others.

The attacker threw three grenades into three tents, including the command tent, military officials said. The motive in the attack a 101st Airborne command centre “most likely was resentment,” said Max Blumenfeld, a US Army spokesman. He did not elaborate.

“Death is a tragic incident regardless of how it comes, but when it comes from a fellow comrade, it does even more to hurt morale,” said George Heath, civilian spokesman for Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the 101st Airborne Division’s home base.
Ten of those wounded had superficial wounds, Heath said. Three others who sustained serious injuries were undergoing surgery.
OH DID I FORGET TO MENTION THE FELLOW COMRADE WAS MUSLIM !!!!!!
You can find the info if you google the soldier that threw the grenade in officers tent 2002 – 2003 in Iraq

kim

Two words people LOOSE CHANGE go Google it down load it watch it. then perhaps you guys can stop fighting with hurtful words.
I am guessing why the U.S. is supporting this Community Center is becasue perhaps there is more to what happened on 911 than what the government is letting on.

Capt.79

GEEZ wow what a big shocker….. FBI Sources: New Al Qaeda Global Commander Lived In Brooklyn… I wonder which Mosque he did his worshiping at???
I wander if he has ties to the Muslim community here since after all he lived in Brooklyn.. Just one more reason not to build the Mosque !!!!!!
He had to do his rug praying at one of them…. Which one was it???

VICTORIA

WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO CLOSE TO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER? WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE 13 STORIES? I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT EXTREME MUSLIMS ATTACKED AMERICA. THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF THIS VENTURE ARE HEARTLESS. YES I BELIEVE IN PEACE AND TOLERANCE BUT 9/11 HAPPENED AND IT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF EXTREME MUSLIMS. LET ME SAY THAT IF EXTREME CHRISTIANS WE RESPONSIBLE FOR 9/11 I WOULD BE HAVING THE SAME ARGUMENT IF THEY TRIED TO BUILD A CHURCH THERE. I HAVE NO RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE AND I’M NOT RACIST. I FEEL A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE UPSET FEEL THE SAME. A HUGE MOSQUE NEXT DOOR TO GROUND ZERO IS DISTASTEFUL.

D

They want to build it there so they can say that they’ve won or are winning. Its they’re way of saying that they are taking over our country and sadly they are. If they we’re peaceful as they try to convince us that they are, they wouldn’t build anywhere near ground zero. They’re doing it to mock us, and they know that our greatest weakness is that we treat our enemies and those that we capture way to kindly. Matter of fact if they succeed in building a 13 story mosque at ground zero, that will be a monumental victory for them. It well serve as a testimony to the rest of the world of how far we’ve fallen. It’ll have the same effect as building a monument of Osama Bin Laden at ground zero. They try to say they’re not the same but deep down they are and they’re making us look like complete fools.

TheTruth

I hope the new mosque is at full capacity when it is targeted and destroyed

Alex

You are disgusting. Anyone that hopes for the death of innocent men, women, and children is a terrorist…so you are exactly what you claim to hate. Yes, another attack on a building in New York killing a huge number of innocent people would be good….now THAT comment (not the building of this mosque) is what would make the victims of 9/11 turn over in their graves.

wise man

The right decision in the right place and time. Thanks are due to the wise people who supported this step.

MilitaryPilot79

Yeah thank you Bloomberg I know you wont be getting re-elected another term !!!!!!

daveC

What a big mistake this is. I think the people who died will turn over in their graves.
Mitchell Cutler

MADDNESS! The U.S.A. as we have known it is over. Welcome to the holy Islamic City of New York!
JOHN

IT’S THE RIGHT DECISION EVER. MUSLIMS SHOULDN’T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OF THE IRRESPONSIBLE ACTIONS OF SOME MUSLIM EXTREMISTS/TERRORISTS.

simplicity

Right on.

Marvin

The Funding issue is still an issue of paramount importance. Why is the new owner of the building a “Foreign Limited Risk Corporation” ? Why is Imam Rauf reluctant to disclose the source of his funding? $4.8 million is not pocket change and $100 million even more so. Let’s clear the air…FULL DISCLOSURE.
What does he have to hide?
kenneth

i say let build it so when they blow it up they will feel what we feel on 9/11
Janet

I think it’s a bad idea because it will become a target. Some people equate all Moslems with terrorism, and there are people of a certain mentality who will see fit to attack it
Dave

This will be a slap in the face to all New Yorkers. This is a mistake and will cause more tensions. The government is corrupt to allow this project to proceed

simplicity

, this is not a slap to all New Yorkers. Like shiraz said, this is a victory for religious tolerance over hatred… and in Mayor Bloomberg’s words:

“On September 11, 2001, thousands of first responders heroically rushed to the scene and saved tens of thousands of lives. More than 400 of those first responders did not make it out alive. In rushing into those burning buildings, not one of them asked ‘What God do you pray to?’ ‘What beliefs do you hold?’”

D

Well if we allow this to happen then we’re saying that its alright for our enemies to build mosques or monuments where they’ve killed our people. I mean why do you think they want to build a mosque at that particular location anyway? Clearly its to stir things up.

karen

I’m sure people of all faiths were killed or hurt on 9/11.
I’m sure people of all faiths helped clean up after.
I’m sure people of all faiths are still crying with pain everytime they think on 9/11.
It’s good, we all have a place to go & try to understand that’s close to WTC sight.

Josh

Try going to a Temple

Try Going to Church

Trying going to all of the 3000 people who died

Maybe then, you can try to figure it out
MilitaryPilot79

Hey Karen do you think that the Muslims would even consider Not speaking their Hajji language to allow English speaking Americans to attend their church and be able to understand what it is that they are being taught?
I THINK NOT!!!!

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