Opponents and supporters of the controversial “Ground Zero mosque” came face to face on Sunday at dueling demonstrations near the site of the proposed construction. Tempers flared as the opposing groups came out to state their position on the hot-button political issue.

“It’s very insensitive to the families,” said retired firefighter Tim Brown who escaped the collapse of the Twin Towers. “This is not about religious freedom. All we are saying is don’t build this mosque here at Ground Zero on our cemetery.”

Others at the rally in opposition to the so-called “Ground Zero mosque” held up signs that read “No victory mosque here!” Opponents chanted “No mosque, no way!” as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” blared over loudspeakers.

Supporters of the proposed 13-story Islamic Cultural Center came to make the case for religious freedom in America.

“These people against it need to open their eyes and see how much hate this is bringing,” 28-year-old tour guide Victor Hernandez told the NY Daily News. “The terrorists win when we don’t allow people their freedoms.”

Their signs read; “When did it become OK to be a bigot!” as they screamed “Hallowed ground, that’s a lie!”

Though both groups came to peacefully make their argument and they were kept apart in penned-in protest sites 2 blocks away from each other the 2 sides came to blows at the site of the pro-mosque protest when a mosque opponent infiltrated the ranks and held up a sign that read, “I can draw Mohammed if you can build a mosque.”

With the issue becoming a national political debate, politicians became the target of some criticism at the dueling rallies. 1 group brought a life-size mock missile with a dummy terrorist draped over top holding a sign that read: “Obama, your middle name is Hussain, We understand. Bloomberg, what’s your excuse.”

Last week President Obama was embroiled in a controversy over the matter after he said developers have the right to build the Islamic Center at the location. He later clarified that he was not lending support to the project rather just making the case for religious freedom in America.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has publicly stated he support for the center.

Not only has the “Ground Zero mosque” been a divisive issue among the voting populace, its caused some politicians to cross party lines. Last week Democrat Howard Dean called for the Islamic center not to be built at the site. Dean, who ran for president in 2004, surprised many of his colleagues with his position.

”I don’t believe all this nonsense the right wing is putting out about radicals and all that stuff,” Dean said in an interview with The Huffington Post. “I take the congregation at its word that it is a moderate congregation trying to heal the wounds of 9/11. But the best way to heal the wounds is not to have a court battle, but to sit down and try to work things out.”

Dean isn’t the only politician calling for a concession on the location. New York Governor David Paterson has been seeking to broker a compromise with the developers and its opponents.

Source via K!dult

I dunno if Bruce Springsteen would be happy about having his song blasted out whilst a protest over a religious matter is happening…unless you know, he himself is against it…

But this has seriously gotten to a point of madness in my opinion. Once again I’ll reiterate: So much for a country labeling themselves “Land Of The Free, Home Of The Brave”…

And many offense, but this is how stupid people protesting seem to get, you mistake a man for being a Muslim and hound the man down when really he was just some carpenter light toned black man fairly confused and wondering whats going on…this has become more a anti-Muslim thing more than anything.

LOOK! HE’S BROWN AND HAS A BEARD! THAT’S MY TWO CENTS TO CLAIM HE’S A TERRORIST:

What do you think? Let us know below.