------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Oct. 24, 2002 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
FALWELL'S ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY SPURS PROTEST By G. Dunkel New York Shouting, "CBS, shame, shame, shame!" some 2,000 people marched from the CBS offices on West 57th Street to the Fox Studios in Times Square here Oct. 13. They were protesting the segment of the CBS program "60 Minutes" that gave right- wing evangelist Jerry Falwell the opportunity to attack Islam and its founder Muhammad. Referring to massive protests in India sparked by Falwell's diatribe, a speaker from the Islamic Council of North America said: "Hate speech is not free speech. His speech has brought hatred out against Muslims throughout the world. We demand an apology from CBS as well as Falwell and equal time on '60 Minutes.' " In India, anti-Muslim attacks by police and bigots killed five people and severely injured 90 during a general strike and demonstrations generated by Falwell's interview. Sara Flounders, representing the International ANSWER coalition--Act Now to Stop War and End Racism--linked Falwell's interview and the coming Pentagon war against Iraq. She explained: "Falwell's interview has to be seen as part of President Bush preparing for a new war by spreading bigotry, racism and hatred to divide the people. It is important to demand respect and dignity and an end to racism." She called for a big turnout for the Oct. 26 anti-war march and rally in Washington. Falwell's bigotry was not the only issue raised. The Bangladesh American Islamic Society marched behind a banner that said: "Stop the Killing in Palestine." On Oct. 14, CNN announced that Falwell had been forced to issue an apology. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
