Stop Islamization of America

{{islamophobia}}

SIOA describes itself as a human rights organization, promoting freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and equal rights.{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/04/us/what-is-american-freedom-defense-initiative/ | title=Garland shooting: What is the American Freedom Defense Initiative? | work=CNN | date=May 4, 2015 | access-date=June 28, 2016 | author=Yan, Holly | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525074656/http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/04/us/what-is-american-freedom-defense-initiative | archive-date=May 25, 2016 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }} The SIOA's ideology has been called Islamophobic by political and historical scholars, news sources, religious leaders, and hate group watchdogs.{{cite book |last=Ernst |first=Carl W. |title=Islamophobia in America: The Anatomy of Intolerance |author-link=Carl W. Ernst |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |chapter=Introduction: The Problem of Islamophobia |year=2013 |isbn=978-1137290083}}{{cite book |last=Kumar |first=Deepa |author-link=Deepa Kumar |title=Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire |publisher=Haymarket Books |year=2012 |page=179 |isbn=978-1608462117 |quote=...the other leading sources of anti-Muslim racism are... Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer's Stop Islamization of America...}}{{cite journal |last=Davidson |first=Lawrence |title=Islamophobia, the Israel Lobby and American Paranoia: Letter from America |journal=Holy Land Studies |date=May 2011 |pages=87–95 |volume=10 |number=1 |doi=10.3366/hls.2011.0005}}{{cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Rice |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0728/Anti-Islamic-bus-ads-appear-in-major-cities |title='Anti-Islamic' bus ads appear in major cities |quote="In the Bay Area, more than 125 religious leaders of various faiths signed a statement in July denouncing the ads as "Islamophobic"" |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=July 28, 2010 |access-date=January 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208073625/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0728/Anti-Islamic-bus-ads-appear-in-major-cities |archive-date=February 8, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |website=Southern Poverty Law Center |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map |title=Hate Map (Southern Poverty Law Center) |access-date=June 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619175310/https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map |archive-date=June 19, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |website=Anti-Defamation League |url=http://www.adl.org/civil-rights/discrimination/c/stop-islamization-of-america.html |title=Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) |access-date=June 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619070248/http://www.adl.org/civil-rights/discrimination/c/stop-islamization-of-america.html |archive-date=June 19, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

SIOA opposed the construction of Park51, originally named Cordoba House, a 13-story Muslim community center proposed for a location two blocks from the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. On May 6, 2010, Geller posted a blog piece calling the building a "monster mosque" and a "stab in the eye of America" and comparing it to the reconsecration of the Hagia Sophia as a mosque by the Ottoman Turks after they conquered Constantinople in 1453. In another blog post, Geller encouraged readers to protest its construction.{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins/|title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began|first=Justin|last=Elliott|date=August 16, 2010|work=Salon|access-date=January 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102124541/http://www.salon.com/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins/|archive-date=January 2, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite book|title=Lessons and Legacies of the War on Terror: From Moral Panic to Permanent War|publisher=Routledge|year=2012|isbn=978-0415638418|series=Critical Terrorism Studies|editor=Gershon Shafir |editor2=Everard Meade |editor3=William J. Aceves|last=Gottschalk|first=Peter|chapter=Religion Out of Place: Islam and cults as perceived threats in the United States|pages=111–112}}

In July 2010, the organization purchased bus advertising in New York and other American cities promoting a website purporting to advocate for Muslims who wanted to disclaim their religion but who feared they might be killed by other Muslims if they did so.{{cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Rice |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0728/Anti-Islamic-bus-ads-appear-in-major-cities |title='Anti-Islamic' bus ads appear in major cities |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=July 28, 2010 |access-date=January 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208073625/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0728/Anti-Islamic-bus-ads-appear-in-major-cities |archive-date=February 8, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} The Council on American-Islamic Relations criticized the premise of the ads, that there were any such Muslims, calling it "a smoke screen to advance [Geller's] long-standing history of anti-Muslim bigotry".{{Cite news|work=Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7772258/Leaving-Islam-bus-adverts-draw-anger-in-NYC.html|title='Leaving Islam?' bus adverts draw anger in NYC|date=May 27, 2010|location=London|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412154036/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7772258/Leaving-Islam-bus-adverts-draw-anger-in-NYC.html|archive-date=April 12, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

The Anti-Defamation League, beginning in 2010, included SIOA in their online resource on extremist groups, saying that it "promotes a conspiratorial anti-Muslim agenda under the guise of fighting radical Islam" and "seeks to rouse public fears by consistently vilifying the Islamic faith and asserting the existence of an Islamic conspiracy to destroy 'American' values."{{cite web |url=http://archive.adl.org/main_extremism/sioa-a.html#.UtI2J6zGWeg |publisher=Anti-Defamation League |access-date=January 12, 2013 |work=Extremism |title=Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA) |date=September 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112080137/http://archive.adl.org/main_extremism/sioa-a.html#.UtI2J6zGWeg |archive-date=January 12, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

In 2011, the Southern Poverty Law Center named SIOA an anti-Muslim hate group,{{cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/southern-poverty-law-center-lists-anti-islamic-nyc-blogger-pamela-geller-followers-hate-group-article-1.135009|work=New York Daily News|date=February 25, 2011|first=Corky|title=Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|last=Siemaszko|access-date=February 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216160827/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/southern-poverty-law-center-lists-anti-islamic-nyc-blogger-pamela-geller-followers-hate-group-article-1.135009|archive-date=February 16, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} calling it a "propaganda powerhouse" that paints moderate Muslims as radical terrorists.{{cite news|work=The Intelligence Report|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center|url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2011/summer/jihad-against-islam|date=Summer 2011|issue=142|first=Robert|last=Steinback|title=Jihad Against Islam|access-date=February 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119075935/http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2011/summer/jihad-against-islam|archive-date=January 19, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Geller described the SPLC listing as a "badge of honor"{{cite web|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/pam-geller-on-hate-group-label-a-badge-of-honor|date=1 Mar 2011|work=Talking Points Memo|title=Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor'|access-date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927214159/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/pam-geller-on-hate-group-label-a-badge-of-honor|archive-date=September 27, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} and later, in 2015, stated to CNN, "Who designated the SPLC as a legitimate authority? They are a radical leftist group who targets patriots, vets and even GOP presidential candidates. They have never named a jihadi group as a hate group."{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/04/us/what-is-american-freedom-defense-initiative/|title=Garland shooting: What is the American Freedom Defense Initiative?|work=CNN|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507022610/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/04/us/what-is-american-freedom-defense-initiative|archive-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In July and August 2011, Geller and Spencer were discussed in the media because Norwegian mass-murderer Anders Behring Breivik's anti-Muslim manifesto quoted Spencer at length, and also cited Geller's blog.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/us/25debate.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title=Killings in Norway Spotlight Anti-Muslim Thought in U.S. |last=Shane |first=Scott |date=July 24, 2011 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202111528/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/us/25debate.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} According to Heidi Beirich, deputy director of SPLC, Geller and Spencer's writings were "the primary sources for the anti-Muslim propaganda that had helped give voice" to Breivik's 1500+ page manifesto. SIOA published a statement jointly with Jihad Watch and Stop Islamisation of Europe condemning Breivik's attack.{{cite news|title=U.S. Critics of Islam Vow To Continue Activism After Oslo|publisher=The Forward|last1=Nathan-Kazis|first1=Josh|last2=Guttman|first2=Nathan|date=August 5, 2011|quote=A statement published on July 25 on Jihad Watch, by Spencer and Geller 's SIOA and Stop Islamisation of Europe, their group's European ally, condemned the attacks. The statement went on to say that Breivik had attempted to join SOIE, but had been kept out of the organization 'because of his Nazi ties.'}}

In 2012, SIOA sponsored ads in the public transit systems of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago reading, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."{{cite news|title=CTA Anti-Muslim Ads: Controversial 'Defeat Jihad' Ads Arrive In Chicago|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/cta-anti-muslim-ads-contr_n_2136432.html|access-date=22 April 2014|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=November 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512230841/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/cta-anti-muslim-ads-contr_n_2136432.html|archive-date=May 12, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) initially refused to display them.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/19/us/new-york-controversial-subway-ad/|title=Controversial 'Defeat Jihad' ad to appear in NYC subways|date=September 19, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007053540/http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/19/us/new-york-controversial-subway-ad/|archive-date=October 7, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The authority's decision was ruled unconstitutional by Judge Paul A. Engelmayer of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in July 2012. Judge Engelmayer held that SIOA's ad was "core political speech" protected by the First Amendment.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html | work=The New York Times | first=Matt | last=Flegenheimer | title=Ad Urging Defeat of Jihad to Appear in New York Subway | date=September 18, 2012 | access-date=February 18, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223202501/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html | archive-date=February 23, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2012/07/20/court-rejects-mtas-ban-against-demeaning-transit-ads/|title=Court Rejects MTA's Ban Against 'Demeaning' Transit Ads|author=Ted Mann|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=October 1, 2014|date=July 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122332/http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2012/07/20/court-rejects-mtas-ban-against-demeaning-transit-ads/|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/nyregion/mta-violated-rights-of-pro-israel-group-judge-says.html | work=The New York Times | first=Benjamin | last=Weiser | title=M.T.A. Violated Rights of Pro-Israel Group, Judge Says | date=July 20, 2012 | access-date=February 18, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316095450/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/nyregion/mta-violated-rights-of-pro-israel-group-judge-says.html | archive-date=March 16, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite news|title=Anti-jihad ads make their way to D.C. subways|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/10/anti-jihad-ads-make-their-way-to-d-c-subways/?iref=allsearch|access-date=April 22, 2014|publisher=CNN|date=October 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006084929/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/10/anti-jihad-ads-make-their-way-to-d-c-subways/?iref=allsearch|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Rabbis for Human Rights, the Sojourners Community, and United Methodist Women all sponsored subway ads countering SIOA's original ad and promoting religious tolerance.{{cite news|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/04/pro-muslim-subway-ads-to-hang-near-anti-jihad-ads/|newspaper=New York Times|title=Pro-Muslim Subway Ads to Hang Near Anti-Jihad Ads|date=October 4, 2012|first=Ashwaq|last=Masood|access-date=October 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106073442/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/04/pro-muslim-subway-ads-to-hang-near-anti-jihad-ads/|archive-date=January 6, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The Jewish Council for Public Affairs called SIOA's ad "bigoted, divisive, and unhelpful", and Steve Gutow, its president, said, "The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims."{{cite web|title=JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|access-date=September 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014130445/http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|archive-date=October 14, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} William McGurn, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal supporting the ads, arguing that "savage" was an appropriate term to describe jihadists, and criticizing "our new political correctness".{{cite news|last=McGurn|first=William|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|date=October 1, 2012|access-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106231806/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|archive-date=January 6, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

During the 2012 tax year, the organization reported total revenue of $157,870.00, no employee salary or compensation, and total operating expenses of $296,044.00.{{cite web | publisher=GuideStar | title=American Freedom Defense Initiative, Tax Form 990. | date=2013 | url=http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/272/518/2012-272518993-09edb14d-9.pdf | access-date=June 22, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024952/http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/272/518/2012-272518993-09edb14d-9.pdf | archive-date=September 24, 2015 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}

In early January 2013, the SIOA placed advertisements in New York City Subway stations that juxtaposed images of the September 11 attacks with a quote from the Quran: "Soon shall we cast terror into the hearts of the unbelievers."{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|publisher=CBS news|access-date=January 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110154645/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|archive-date=January 10, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://observer.com/2012/12/pamela-geller-mta-new-anti-islam-ads-to-debut-this-month-now-with-25-more-mta-disclaimer/|title=New Anti-Islam Ads to Debut This Month, Now With 25% More MTA Disclaimer|last=Epstein|first=Emily Anne|work=The New York Observer|date=December 7, 2012|access-date=February 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214173627/http://observer.com/2012/12/pamela-geller-mta-new-anti-islam-ads-to-debut-this-month-now-with-25-more-mta-disclaimer/|archive-date=February 14, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The quote is from [http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=72808 3:151] By that time the New York City Transit Authority had changed its advertising policy to accept what it called "viewpoint advertisements" but to require a disclaimer saying that the Transit Authority did not endorse the advertiser's views.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/nyregion/controversial-group-has-new-anti-jihad-subway-ads.html?ref=nyregion&_r=1&|title=Controversial Group Plans More Ads in Subway Stations|date=Dec 13, 2012|newspaper=New York Times|first=Matt|last=Flegenheimer|access-date=February 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513021939/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/nyregion/controversial-group-has-new-anti-jihad-subway-ads.html?ref=nyregion&_r=1&|archive-date=May 13, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In the fiscal year 2013, the organization disclosed a complete revenue amounting to $958,800.00. Employee wages and benefits stood at $243,150.00, while the overall operational costs totaled $419,652.00.{{cite web | publisher=GuideStar | title=American Freedom Defense Initiative, Tax Form 990. | date=2013 | url=http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/272/518/2013-272518993-0ad490ec-9.pdf | access-date=May 26, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924041255/http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/272/518/2013-272518993-0ad490ec-9.pdf | archive-date=September 24, 2015 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}

In response to an ad by the American Muslims for Palestine that the SIOA called "Jew-hating", the SIOA sponsored an ad on Washington, D.C., buses with a photograph of Adolf Hitler and Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem who supported the Nazi dictator before and during World War II.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2014/05/15/in-metrobus-ads-pro-israel-group-features-photo-of-hitler/|title=In Metrobus ads, pro-Israel group features photo of Hitler|newspaper=Washington Post|date=May 15, 2014|author=Paul Duggan|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530181901/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2014/05/15/in-metrobus-ads-pro-israel-group-features-photo-of-hitler/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In May, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office was not required to grant SIOA a trademark registration for its name because it could be disparaging to American Muslims. Geller criticized the ruling, calling it a "complete whitewash" and describing the court as having a politically correct bias.{{cite news|last1=Bartz|first1=Diane|title=U.S. court says trademarks can't disparage religious, ethnic groups|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trademark-islamisation-idUSBREA4C0Z320140513|access-date=June 3, 2014|work=Reuters|date=May 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606211328/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/13/us-trademark-islamisation-idUSBREA4C0Z320140513|archive-date=June 6, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In 2015 the SIOA started a new ad campaign in New York, that included one parody billboard with a quote from Hamas stating 'Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah.' A court judgement in April 2015 ruled that New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority cannot prevent the ads from running on buses.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/22/killing-jews-is-worship-posters-will-soon-appear-on-nyc-subways-and-buses/|title='Killing Jews is Worship' posters will soon appear on NYC subways and buses|date=22 Apr 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Michael E.|last=Miller|access-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311051406/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/22/killing-jews-is-worship-posters-will-soon-appear-on-nyc-subways-and-buses/|archive-date=March 11, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/court-oks-islamic-killing-jews-posters-mta-buses-article-1.2193711|title=Posters slamming Islam for 'killing Jews' can be displayed on MTA buses: court|date=21 Apr 2015|work=New York Daily News|access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424213137/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/court-oks-islamic-killing-jews-posters-mta-buses-article-1.2193711|archive-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In January 2015 a Muslim group organized a fundraiser called "Stand With the Prophet in Honor and Respect" at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.{{Cite web|title='Stand With Prophet' event in Texas draws thousands of protesters|last=Chasmar|first=Jessica|work=The Washington Times|date=January 18, 2015|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/18/stand-with-prophet-event-in-texas-draws-thousands-|access-date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507214133/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/18/stand-with-prophet-event-in-texas-draws-thousands-/|archive-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Pamela Geller spearheaded about 1,000 picketers at that event.{{Cite web|title=City: 2 gunmen killed outside Muhammad cartoon contest|last1=Merchant|first1=Nomaan|last2=Stengle|first2=Jamie|work=The Seattle Times|date=May 3, 2015|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/officer-shooting-at-muhammad-cartoon-contest-in-texas|access-date=May 4, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521162524/http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/officer-shooting-at-muhammad-cartoon-contest-in-texas/|archive-date=May 21, 2015|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/garland-mesquite/headlines/20150504-some-fear-culwell-center-now-a-target-as-busy-graduation-season-nears.ece|title=As graduations near, some fear Garland ISD's Culwell Center now a target|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505074245/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/garland-mesquite/headlines/20150504-some-fear-culwell-center-now-a-target-as-busy-graduation-season-nears.ece|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The Garland Independent School District board president Rick Lambert said in January, "The Culwell Center is available for rental as long as you comply with the law. Because it is a public facility, the district is not allowed to discriminate based upon viewpoint."{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/garland-mesquite/headlines/20150427-islam-debate-returns-to-garland-isds-culwell-center-with-muhammad-art-event.ece|title=Islam debate returns to Garland ISD's Culwell Center with Muhammad art event|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505073425/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/garland-mesquite/headlines/20150427-islam-debate-returns-to-garland-isds-culwell-center-with-muhammad-art-event.ece|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

{{Main|Curtis Culwell Center attack}}

On May 3, 2015, the SIOA invited Geert Wilders to an art exhibit in Garland, Texas that offered a $10,000 prize for the best cartoon of Muhammad. During the event, a shooting incident occurred.{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20150503-gunmen-open-fire-outside-muhammad-art-exhibit-at-garland-isd-facility-police-say.ece|title=Police: Men killed in Garland shooting had assault rifles, body armor|work=dallasnews.com|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003428/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20150503-gunmen-open-fire-outside-muhammad-art-exhibit-at-garland-isd-facility-police-say.ece|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Both gunmen, later identified as ISIL-inspired,{{cite web|url=http://www.wfaa.com/news/nation/obama-to-honor-garland-officer-who-shot-islamic-state-inspired-terrorists/190672427|title=Obama honors Garland officer who shot Islamic State-inspired terrorists|access-date=June 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619000540/http://www.wfaa.com/news/nation/obama-to-honor-garland-officer-who-shot-islamic-state-inspired-terrorists/190672427|archive-date=June 19, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} were shot and killed by police shortly after the suspects shot a security guard.{{cite news|last1=Stack|first1=Liam|title=Gunmen Killed After Firing on Anti-Islamist Group's Event in Texas|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/us/gunmen-killed-after-firing-on-anti-islamist-groups-event.html?module=Notification&version=BreakingNews®ion=FixedTop&action=Click&contentCollection=BreakingNews&contentID=33692099&pgtype=Homepage&_r=0|website=New York Times|access-date=May 4, 2015|date=May 3, 2015}}

The SIOA says it spent $10,000 on security, and had 40 police officers and private security guards present.{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/04/us/garland-mohammed-drawing-contest-shooting/index.html|title=Garland shooting: 2 killed after they open fire at Mohammed cartoon event|work=CNN|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505001548/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/04/us/garland-mohammed-drawing-contest-shooting/index.html|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The event was hosted at the Curtis Culwell Center, rented from the Garland Independent School District, which hosted an event in January called "Stand with the Prophet".{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/18/stand-with-prophet-event-in-texas-draws-thousands-/|title='Stand With Prophet' event in Texas draws thousands of protesters|first=Jessica|last=Chasmar|publisher=The Washington Times|date=2015-01-18|access-date=2015-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010102621/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/18/stand-with-prophet-event-in-texas-draws-thousands-/|archive-date=October 10, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Stop Islamization of Nations (SION) is an international counter-jihad organization founded in 2012 by Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer of SIOA, and Anders Gravers Pedersen of SIOE. Other board members are Debbie Robinson, of Q Society of Australia;{{cite web|url=https://hopenothate.org.uk/2018/01/17/key-players/#robinson|title=Key players: Debbie Robinson|date=17 January 2017|work=Hope not Hate}} Ezra Levant, a Canadian publisher; Wafa Sultan, a Syrian-American writer; Ali Sina, an Iranian-born Canadian activist; Stefan Herre, a German author of the blog ''Politically Incorrect; Mordechai Kedar, an Israeli author; Babu Suseelan, a Hindu activist; Oskar Freysinger, a Swiss politician; Cliff Kincaid, editor of the Accuracy in Media Report; and Ashraf Rameleh the President of Voice of the Copts.{{cite news|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sion-to-hold-international-congress-and-media-workshop-to-address-islamic-supremacist-war-against-free-speech-142749465.html|title=SION to Hold International Congress and Media Workshop to Address Islamic Supremacist War Against Free Speech|date=March 15, 2012|work=PR Newswire}} Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer are President and Vice President of SION.{{cite web

| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/20/idUS122494+20-Jan-2012+PRN20120120

| title = Stop Islamization of Nations (SION) Calls on UN to Protect Christians of Syria

| work = Press Release from PR Newswire

| publisher = Reuters

| date = 2012-01-20

| access-date = 2014-12-21

| url-status = dead

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222544/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/20/idUS122494+20-Jan-2012+PRN20120120

| archive-date = 2013-12-02

}} SION has taken part in hosting international counter-jihad conferences along with other organisations and multiple individual speakers, including in Stockholm, Sweden and New York City in 2012 and in Melbourne, Australia in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://hopenothate.org.uk/2018/01/11/what-is-counter-jihadism/|title=International counter-jihad organisations|date=11 January 2018|work=Hope not hate}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/}}

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Category:2010 establishments in the United States

Category:Counter-jihad

Category:Far-right organizations in the United States

Category:Organizations established in 2010

Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States

Category:Robert B. Spencer

Category:Islamophobia in the United States

Category:Zionist organizations in the United States