Anti-Islam Activist Vows To Confront Muslim Group After FBI Alert Thwarts Him

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Jon Ritzheimer, a former Marine who has led anti-Muslim protests and posted videos online railing against the Muslim community, has returned to his home state of Arizona after the FBI issued a warning to New York police Friday that he was headed their way.

Ritzheimer said in a video that he posted online that he was headed east to “see those assholes who called me a f—— terrorist.” The video also reportedly showed him with a handgun. He was referring to the group Muslims of America, which had recently called Ritzheimer an “American Taliban.”

The organization is headquartered in Hancock, New York. The FBI reportedly issued a warning to New York police that Ritzheimer might be on the way because the video “could have been perceived as a threat” against the Muslim community.

Ritzheimer has since taken down the video, but told Phoenix TV station KNXV that he spoke to FBI agents and New York police about his intentions. He said he told authorities that he was helping his friend move to New Hampshire and wanted to protest the Muslim group.

Ritzheimer said the officers then told him that it was illegal to bring a gun into New York and that he would be stopped and searched.

“They basically told me they would violate my rights, so I turned off my phone and took cash out of my account so they couldn’t track me,” Ritzheimer told KNXV.

Ritzheimer said he didn’t get to protest the organization but plans on making another trek to New York. He said he wouldn’t announce that future trip.

Watch the interview:

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