On Sunday, Aug. 22, hundreds of demonstrators — including firefighters — gathered near Ground Zero to protest plans to build an Islamic community center, which would include space for Muslim prayer services, a few blocks away from the World Trade Center site. Supporters of the center also came out to counter-protest.
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Opponents wheeled in a fake missile, supplied by a New York company that supplies missiles, jet cockpits, RVs and other vehicles for advertising.
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Opposition to the community center had popped up nationwide.
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A counter-protester. Police separated the two groups with barricades.
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But heated words were still exchanged.
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(Ed. note: Right click and select “view background image” to see the whole sign.)
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Police first set up barricades on Friday, two days before the big protest and during Friday afternoon prayers. The building where the future community center will be built already hosts Muslim prayers.
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A man prays during Friday’s services.
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On the left, Andy Sullivan, an outspoken opponent and construction worker, videotapes an encounter with a supporter of the center on Thursday.
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On Sunday, several demonstrators protested Islamic Sharia law.
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The Sunday protests.
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