BBC United States of Hate Muslims Under Attack Page #4

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Dorrie's belief in free speech

led to her involvement in a controversial art exhibition.

You cannot draw pictures of Muhammad, because it's slander,

and that is something they don't like.

And it's a killing offence.

It is, literally, capital punishment, in Sharia law.

So we all said, "Let's just stand up and show these people

"that you can't do that in the United States.

"We MUST protect our freedom of speech.

"Let's just draw Muhammad, you know? Let's just have some big contest."

The art contest was everybody who wanted to draw something

having to do with Muhammad.

Tom Trento, live from

the Muhammad Art Exhibition -

the first, inaugural presentation of this type.

I was very excited to go to it. It was something that I knew

was going to make a direct effect

on freedom of speech in the United States

and I was happy to do it.

There was a great deal of security before we could get in.

We all went in, we were all checked out.

It was..it was quite secure.

But hosting such a controversial event

was always going to be a security risk.

Get back in the building!

- Shots fired.

- Shots just got fired.

- We don't know that for a fact.

The rumour started from somewhere

that there has been gunshots fired. There is two people shooting at us.

It was surreal. We were inside.

We did not know what was going on outside.

We have a little situation developing, live, right now.

The security people are running like crazy outside.

Somebody said, "We have no idea if shots have been fired."

They were Americans in Islamic clothing,

who were headed for us, to kill us, because they didn't want us to talk.

- Two suspects have been shot.

- Wow.

- Possibly have explosives on them.

- That is what we are worried about right now.

- Were the suspects Muslim?

I have no idea right now.

The two attackers were American Muslims inspired by Isis.

Then, we heard that the two shooters were dead.

And, from that point on, it was pretty much of a party.

This is the winning cartoon. And it's very direct.

They tell us, "You can't draw Muhammad."

And the cartoonist, being very independent,

says, "Well, you can't tell me I can't,

"so that is why I am going to draw you."

- And that is the American spirit.

- Do you realise how offensive

an art competition like that would be to Muslims?

I think it is really just too bad if you're offended.

They offend me all the time.

They tried to kill me.

- Do you think

- that's

- not offensive?

David is a firm believer in his freedoms as an American.

And he is not letting the risk of further acts of terrorism

stop him from protesting.

When these people were having the draw the Prophet Muhammad event,

which, in America, we don't only believe in the Second Amendment -

to carry a gun - we believe in the First Amendment,

which is freedom of speech and expression.

If you want to draw pictures of somebody,

then you should be able to do that.

And someone wants to kill them over that?

It's pretty ridiculous.

So...we're protesting in front of mosques.

It's similar to what they were doing there.

And we know that the terrorists will come and try and attack us,

if they get the idea in their heads,

so why would we not be prepared for that?

And when you're dealing with radical extremists

who set people on fire in cages, cut off heads -

when you're protesting against people like that,

- you almost

- have

- to use your Second Amendment to protect your First.

ISLAMIC CALL TO PRAYER

Today, Irving Mosque is hosting a welcome day

for some of the newly-arrived refugees

who have escaped war in the Middle East.

These are the lucky ones. Since 2012,

only 2,000 have been allowed into America.

They have been through a two-year security vetting process...

..but Bair are still convinced they are terrorists

and have organised a protest at the mosque.

They have come armed and prepared in case the refugees attack them.

What have you got here?

It's an AK, an AK, an AK and a 308.

- And some body armour.

- Just a standard shotgun

with combat shells.

High impact with three steel balls.

Take off a door or knock down a man.

Why do you need guns here?

We've had five protests and we were armed at all of them.

And nobody got hurt, OK?

Terrorists attack unarmed crowds. They do not attack armed crowds.

It's a deterrent. Why do you think they have not attacked us?

HORN TOOTING:

We have already had one detractor and one supporter.

The detractor said, "Leave them people alone,

"you f***ing country boy."

HORN TOOTING:

I am shocked by the support of the passers-by.

Right on, brother!

We've got four approvals and one disapproval, so far.

The silent majority of America is making their voices heard.

MAN SHOUTS:

HORN HONKS:

Thumbs up. Another thumbs up.

16-2.

THEY CHEER:

Only a lone voice stands up for the Muslims.

Who's this lady?

They got a sign.

"Refugees welcome". Uh-oh.

I'm afraid you're going to have to go someplace else.

It's a free country and it's a free sidewalk.

I'm not going to sit here and have another debate

for somebody that's ignorant and doesn't do their research.

You're a white woman, right?

Well, guess what, you'll be their sex slave,

if they decide to keep you around.

You want that sh*t here?

Look at every country that has accepted these so-called refugees.

Get out of here, sit down.

Why have you decided to come out here today?

I am willing to drag my disabled ass out of bed on a Saturday,

because I heard that armed people might be protesting

the American Islamic Center -

which I consider, basically, to be terrorism.

People like that. She's never picked up a Koran.

Yet she's out here supporting them.

They just want peace.

They've probably done a little bit of LSD in their college days,

and they just - peace, love and happiness.

There are real evils in this world.

..passport and I'll buy your tickets online...

I wonder if I'm seeing the real characters in Bair,

where a group of armed men are happy to bully a lone woman.

You're not a soldier, you've never fought.

- See that? I fought.

- Uh-huh.

I have the right to say what I've got to say. You do not.

HE CHUCKLES:

CALL TO PRAYER:

Inside the mosque,

the refugees refuse to be intimidated by Bair's protest.

They're just glad to be safe,

having escaped their war-torn homeland.

I was willing to go and talk to them,

because I'm looking to... I'm very open to talk to them,

to listen to the other view, to share my view,

I was afraid maybe someone is going to be a little bit offensive

or something like that.

Despite the hostile reception given to the refugees...

..Omar is preaching a message of understanding in a nearby mosque.

When we see people that are yelling and screaming,

when we see people that hate our guts,

whether they're holding up signs and telling you to go back home

or whether they're just people that are giving you, you know,

nasty stares in public, whatever it may be,

it allows us to not hate them,

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