BROOKINGS, Biereland -- In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris that killed 12 people on January 7, anti-Islam protests have cropped up across France and the entire European Union.
And this week, those protests spread to Grassadellia.
More than 7,000 people crowded into Ebhardt Square in the heart of downtown Brookings Saturday, chanting "Islam means war" and "Je suis Charlie," the catchphrase made famous in France following the Charlie Hebdo shootings that means "I am Charlie."
Similar protests occurred across Biereland: more than 3,000 people in the eastern Biereland city of Aventhalle; an estimated 2,700 in Welhausen; 2,500 in the southern city of Kensington, and smaller numbers in Gerbannon and Barringer.
Elsewhere across Grassadellia, larger protests took place. Almost 21,000 people turned out in Meledone Place in downtown Monvaille, closing down an outdoor ice rink that is normally filled with parents and children ice skating.
Madagen police struggled to maintain peace as more than 14,000 protesters crowded into Rothsbury Square in the city's central business district. Some 380 people were arrested for public disorder and rioting; most were released on their own recognizance.
In Grassadellia City, a modest crowd attended a protest sponsored by the anti-immigrant group the Alliance for the Preservation of Grassadellian Culture (APGC). In a post on it's Facebook page, the APGC claimed an attendance of more than 15,000, but Grassadellia City Metropolitan Police put the number closer to 6,000.
Further south in Riverton, Damoign, some protesters burned burqas, the traditional Muslim veil, while shouting anti-Muslim slogans. Police say no one was arrested, but extra police were brought in as a precaution.
No major problems were reported at similar protests in Lanakis, Trieton, and Wilmington, Trin.
Capitol Police in Mavocke confirmed 74 people were arrested outside Collester during a protest there.
The sudden surge in anti-Islamic sentiment, sometimes called "Islamophobia," has many concerned.
"These protests are not about defending Grassadellian values, they are about maligning Muslims and spreading fear and hatred about Middle Eastern peoples," said Annette Johnson-Wilks, who heads the Grassadellian Centre for Human Rights.
The country's largest Muslim advocacy organization, Muslims United, also condemned the protests.
"The attacks in France were wrong and unjust. But equally wrong and unjust are the misguided and unwarranted protesters who seek to eradicate Muslim influence and contributions in Grassadellian society," said Mohammed Al-Houdad, Vice President of the group.
Nationalist politicians - and many Conservative - have rushed to condemn what they view to be Islamophobic and xenophobic behaviour.
"These groups that are protesting against Muslims are only proving how ignorant they are," said Damoign Sen. Deborah Kay (N).
President Menuhaeo called the protests "a high point for the intolerance movement," but questioned whether they would have a lasting impact.
"I think most Grassadellians know that our citizens are more than just their nationality or their religion or language, and the Grassadellian people will see through these thinly-veiled 'protests,'" said Menuhaeo.
In Grassadellia City, Mayor Kellan Kastol was glad his city's residents ignored the protests.
"For the most part, Grassadellia Cityites ignored these protesters and their doctrine of hate, and I appreciate that we as a city are mature enough and tolerant enough to allow the protests and the freedom of speech, but also ignore the message of hate that is being propagated," Kastol told Radio 9.
In Biereland, which has a history of white supremacist sentiment and groups, Sen. Julie Grendhau (N) said she was "ashamed" of the protests.
"It makes me sad to be a Bierelander. Because people turn on the news and see that these awful protests against our Muslim neighbors are going on and they identify that with Biereland. And Biereland is not a place of hate. We are a wonderful, loving state where people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to thrive. It makes me sad that this kind of attitude is tarnishing our state's reputation," she said in an interview with local media.
Biereland's other three senators - all Conservatives - released statements calling for peaceful protests, but none condemned the protests outright.
"Freedom of speech is celebrated in this country, and these groups ought to have the same right to freedom of expression as you and I have," said Sen. Jhana Schueler. "But these protests must remain peaceful, and should not advance or advocate for suspicion or harm toward our Muslim neighbors."
Sen. Robert Browning said on The Nation Today, "These are emotional times, and Biereland, like the rest of the country and the rest of the world, is having an emotional debate about religion and race. And it's okay to have that discussion, as long as it remains peaceful and respectful."
The protests should be expected, Sen. Brad Bearns said, as he virtually ignored a question posed to him by a journalist about the morality of the protests and began talking about political correctness.
"These protests are in large part due to a blanket of political correctness that has pervaded across this country. We have a situation where terrorism cannot be attributed to radical Muslims because many in the media and the political power structure deem that "offensive." What we need right now is an open and honest conversation about radical Islam in this country and in countries around the world. But unfortunately, many people aren't willing to have that discussion. So you're seeing a lot of fed up people moving to the streets to vent their anger at the intolerance and the bigotry and extremism of radical Muslim groups and their followers," said Bearns.
Bierelan's outgoing governor, Nationalist San Bartholomew, said he was disgusted by the protests.
"These people that are protesting are ignorant, stupid, uninformed, and prejudiced. I hope the rest of Biereland rejects their behaviour and their beliefs as much as I do."
The nation's most prominent Arab political figure, Wellington Sen. Nadan Saralo (N) told the GBC he found the protests "disheartening."
"Grassadellia is so much better than that. We are a loving people, a great country where people from all walks of life are welcomed and can live freely. And to see this kind of hatred and intolerance being masked as 'freedom of speech' is saddening," said Saralo.
Meanwhile, the National Centre for Responsible Immigration Policies (NCRIP) defended the protests.
"We don't necessarily agree with all of their message, but we agree that political correctness is choking civil liberties in this country, and we agree that our nation's immigration laws need to be drastically changed very quickly if we are to avoid becoming a haven for radical Islamic terrorists," said Katie Van Ophen, a spokeswoman for the centre-right advocacy group.
Though the group traditionally defends liberal ideals, the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) also defended the protesters.
"The far-right supporters have every right to speak their mind the same way we all do, and we support that right. At the same time, we support and defend Muslim Grassadellians who feel alienated and shut out from the political and social conversation because of the extreme acts of a few radical terrorists in other countries," Rick Salvado, president of the NCCL told Air1 Radio.
Some Conservatives, such as Ansleigha Gov. Dale Lindstrom and newly-elected Gov. David Brown (Marchenay), expressed dissatisfaction with the anti-Islam rallies.
"I don't think these protests do anything to advance a healthy discussion about race in this country," Lindstrom told STAR-TV.
Brown, who is set to take office this week, asked for calm in the coming weeks on the streets of Madagen.
"People are entitled to their opinions, but lets express those opinions in a civil, respectful and tolerant manner," said Brown.
The sweeping protests come amid similar protests in France, Germany, Belgium, and across Europe.
Last week, Crown Police increased protection at several locations across the country, including the offices of several newspapers and magazines.
President Menuhaeo also announced that security would be tightened at houses of worship across the nation.
"There is nothing we take more seriously in this country than the guarantee of peace and the freedom to worship. We will not let the terrorists steal those things from us," said Menuhaeo.
And this week, those protests spread to Grassadellia.
More than 7,000 people crowded into Ebhardt Square in the heart of downtown Brookings Saturday, chanting "Islam means war" and "Je suis Charlie," the catchphrase made famous in France following the Charlie Hebdo shootings that means "I am Charlie."
Similar protests occurred across Biereland: more than 3,000 people in the eastern Biereland city of Aventhalle; an estimated 2,700 in Welhausen; 2,500 in the southern city of Kensington, and smaller numbers in Gerbannon and Barringer.
Elsewhere across Grassadellia, larger protests took place. Almost 21,000 people turned out in Meledone Place in downtown Monvaille, closing down an outdoor ice rink that is normally filled with parents and children ice skating.
Madagen police struggled to maintain peace as more than 14,000 protesters crowded into Rothsbury Square in the city's central business district. Some 380 people were arrested for public disorder and rioting; most were released on their own recognizance.
In Grassadellia City, a modest crowd attended a protest sponsored by the anti-immigrant group the Alliance for the Preservation of Grassadellian Culture (APGC). In a post on it's Facebook page, the APGC claimed an attendance of more than 15,000, but Grassadellia City Metropolitan Police put the number closer to 6,000.
Further south in Riverton, Damoign, some protesters burned burqas, the traditional Muslim veil, while shouting anti-Muslim slogans. Police say no one was arrested, but extra police were brought in as a precaution.
No major problems were reported at similar protests in Lanakis, Trieton, and Wilmington, Trin.
Capitol Police in Mavocke confirmed 74 people were arrested outside Collester during a protest there.
The sudden surge in anti-Islamic sentiment, sometimes called "Islamophobia," has many concerned.
"These protests are not about defending Grassadellian values, they are about maligning Muslims and spreading fear and hatred about Middle Eastern peoples," said Annette Johnson-Wilks, who heads the Grassadellian Centre for Human Rights.
The country's largest Muslim advocacy organization, Muslims United, also condemned the protests.
"The attacks in France were wrong and unjust. But equally wrong and unjust are the misguided and unwarranted protesters who seek to eradicate Muslim influence and contributions in Grassadellian society," said Mohammed Al-Houdad, Vice President of the group.
Nationalist politicians - and many Conservative - have rushed to condemn what they view to be Islamophobic and xenophobic behaviour.
"These groups that are protesting against Muslims are only proving how ignorant they are," said Damoign Sen. Deborah Kay (N).
President Menuhaeo called the protests "a high point for the intolerance movement," but questioned whether they would have a lasting impact.
"I think most Grassadellians know that our citizens are more than just their nationality or their religion or language, and the Grassadellian people will see through these thinly-veiled 'protests,'" said Menuhaeo.
In Grassadellia City, Mayor Kellan Kastol was glad his city's residents ignored the protests.
"For the most part, Grassadellia Cityites ignored these protesters and their doctrine of hate, and I appreciate that we as a city are mature enough and tolerant enough to allow the protests and the freedom of speech, but also ignore the message of hate that is being propagated," Kastol told Radio 9.
In Biereland, which has a history of white supremacist sentiment and groups, Sen. Julie Grendhau (N) said she was "ashamed" of the protests.
"It makes me sad to be a Bierelander. Because people turn on the news and see that these awful protests against our Muslim neighbors are going on and they identify that with Biereland. And Biereland is not a place of hate. We are a wonderful, loving state where people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to thrive. It makes me sad that this kind of attitude is tarnishing our state's reputation," she said in an interview with local media.
Biereland's other three senators - all Conservatives - released statements calling for peaceful protests, but none condemned the protests outright.
"Freedom of speech is celebrated in this country, and these groups ought to have the same right to freedom of expression as you and I have," said Sen. Jhana Schueler. "But these protests must remain peaceful, and should not advance or advocate for suspicion or harm toward our Muslim neighbors."
Sen. Robert Browning said on The Nation Today, "These are emotional times, and Biereland, like the rest of the country and the rest of the world, is having an emotional debate about religion and race. And it's okay to have that discussion, as long as it remains peaceful and respectful."
The protests should be expected, Sen. Brad Bearns said, as he virtually ignored a question posed to him by a journalist about the morality of the protests and began talking about political correctness.
"These protests are in large part due to a blanket of political correctness that has pervaded across this country. We have a situation where terrorism cannot be attributed to radical Muslims because many in the media and the political power structure deem that "offensive." What we need right now is an open and honest conversation about radical Islam in this country and in countries around the world. But unfortunately, many people aren't willing to have that discussion. So you're seeing a lot of fed up people moving to the streets to vent their anger at the intolerance and the bigotry and extremism of radical Muslim groups and their followers," said Bearns.
Bierelan's outgoing governor, Nationalist San Bartholomew, said he was disgusted by the protests.
"These people that are protesting are ignorant, stupid, uninformed, and prejudiced. I hope the rest of Biereland rejects their behaviour and their beliefs as much as I do."
The nation's most prominent Arab political figure, Wellington Sen. Nadan Saralo (N) told the GBC he found the protests "disheartening."
"Grassadellia is so much better than that. We are a loving people, a great country where people from all walks of life are welcomed and can live freely. And to see this kind of hatred and intolerance being masked as 'freedom of speech' is saddening," said Saralo.
Meanwhile, the National Centre for Responsible Immigration Policies (NCRIP) defended the protests.
"We don't necessarily agree with all of their message, but we agree that political correctness is choking civil liberties in this country, and we agree that our nation's immigration laws need to be drastically changed very quickly if we are to avoid becoming a haven for radical Islamic terrorists," said Katie Van Ophen, a spokeswoman for the centre-right advocacy group.
Though the group traditionally defends liberal ideals, the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) also defended the protesters.
"The far-right supporters have every right to speak their mind the same way we all do, and we support that right. At the same time, we support and defend Muslim Grassadellians who feel alienated and shut out from the political and social conversation because of the extreme acts of a few radical terrorists in other countries," Rick Salvado, president of the NCCL told Air1 Radio.
Some Conservatives, such as Ansleigha Gov. Dale Lindstrom and newly-elected Gov. David Brown (Marchenay), expressed dissatisfaction with the anti-Islam rallies.
"I don't think these protests do anything to advance a healthy discussion about race in this country," Lindstrom told STAR-TV.
Brown, who is set to take office this week, asked for calm in the coming weeks on the streets of Madagen.
"People are entitled to their opinions, but lets express those opinions in a civil, respectful and tolerant manner," said Brown.
The sweeping protests come amid similar protests in France, Germany, Belgium, and across Europe.
Last week, Crown Police increased protection at several locations across the country, including the offices of several newspapers and magazines.
President Menuhaeo also announced that security would be tightened at houses of worship across the nation.
"There is nothing we take more seriously in this country than the guarantee of peace and the freedom to worship. We will not let the terrorists steal those things from us," said Menuhaeo.
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