On Monday, far-right activist Jim Stachowiak plans to grab his rifle and lead an armed rally outside the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta to unite likeminded citizens “against Islam and Islamic immigration.” The gun-toting activist wishes to “raise public awareness to what we perceive as a threat to our nation from Islamic immigration and refugees,” as well as “the dangerous agenda of the current administration.”
In mounting the protest, he intends to publicly shred pictures of Hillary Clinton, President Obama, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the Prophet Muhammad, and (of course) the Quran.
You might have already guessed that this man is a Trump fan.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I support Donald Trump because I like his agenda on dealing with the threats to this country — his ban on Islamic immigration,” Stachowiak told The Huffington Post on Tuesday, pointing out that Muslim refugees and immigrants are “no more than an invading horde or army” threatening the United States.
His rally is expected to start on Monday at the statehouse, and wrap up outside CNN headquarters. Stachowiak originally estimated that roughly 200 people would show up to attend, but later revised his estimate to merely a “few” protesters.
Anyone familiar with Stachowiak’s schtick won’t be surprised by his latest planned stunt. The right-wing agitator has been calling on the government to “STOP MUSLIM IMMIGRATION” for years, loves brandishing his large firearms, and wants you to know that "JESUS CHRIST WAS NOT A PACIFIST."
He also enjoys referring to himself as a well-armed, proud “crusader” and “infidel” against the forces of “Islam, and any other Satanic Death Cult that would destroy our Liberty."
This time, however, his anti-Muslim antics have managed to catch the attention of the cops.
“The Georgia Department of Public Safety and the Georgia Building Authority anticipate a non-permitted, anti-Islamic protest on the sidewalks of the Georgia State Capitol,” Capitol Police Director Lewis Young announced in an advisory to state employees, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “You are hereby notified that protest organizers have encouraged their participants to carry loaded long guns. DPS is currently monitoring the threat risk…”
The Georgia Capitol police told The Daily Beast that, as far as they know, the armed rally is still a go — and that they’re ready for whatever disruptions Stachowiak has in store for Monday.
“We do not have any expectations of the crowd [size], however, DPS is always prepared to protect the Capitol and all citizens on the grounds, both civilian and protestors,” Captain Mark Perry wrote in an email.
Perry also noted that so far “no one at the Capitol has directly expressed any concerns” or fears to them.
Stachowiak insists that he’s going ahead with his rally rain or shine, permit or no permit, and even if he is the only attendee.
Muslim-American activists, for their part, would much prefer to sit down and talk with the man who hates them and their beliefs so much.
“Hatred of Muslims and Islam stems from ignorance,” Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of Georgia’s chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement. “We encourage these protesters to put down their guns, cancel their unsanctioned rally, and meet with representatives of our state’s Muslim community for an open and frank discussion of their concerns.”
“The Holy Quran instructs Muslims to respond to evil with something better, so that friendship can arise between us and those who hate us,” Mitchell added.
