Phyllis Chesler recounts an attempt to frighten the indomitable Brigitte Gabriel into silence at Memphis University. From the Washington Times, with thanks to Miss Kelly:
It took 10 police officers to keep order last month when Brigitte Gabriel gave a speech at Memphis University. A passionate and powerful speaker who had witnessed Palestinian terrorism and experienced anti-Jewish and anti-Christian propaganda in her native Lebanon, Ms. Gabriel had been invited to speak at the Tennessee campus by religious studies professor David Patterson.But the day before Ms. Gabriel's speech, Mr. Patterson began receiving threatening e-mails.
"Do you honestly think the scheduled lecture will serve any useful purpose other than inflaming the Muslims, insulting them and spilling poison in the community?" one message said. Another said that inviting Ms. Gabriel to speak was "worse than hosting of the Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan," and another described her as among "the true enemies of Islam."
When Ms. Gabriel and Mr. Patterson arrived in the campus auditorium 15 minutes before her scheduled presentation, several rows of seats in the front of the room were already occupied by men and women dressed in distinctive Muslim clothing.
Before Ms. Gabriel was introduced, a Muslim man who has been a long-term graduate student at the university strode to the front of the room and announced: "We have been told that the speaker will only accept questions written on cards. Everyone who believes this is an undemocratic lecture, raise your hands." The Muslims in the audience shouted their agreement.
Ms. Gabriel then went to the front of the room and announced that the lecture belonged to her and that all who did not see it this way were welcome to leave. Two campus police officers stood, one on either side of her. They also called for backup. By the time order was restored and Ms. Gabriel began her speech, 10 police officers were posted in the room. Mr. Patterson implored the audience to give her a chance to be heard.
After her speech, she answered every question submitted -- questions she described as "Palestinian talking points" -- before the Muslim audience members swarmed onto the stage and surrounded her, yelling angrily at her. Finally, police officers grabbed her and hustled her out a side door. Someone else had to retrieve her coat and suitcase while she waited in a police car to be driven to the hotel where, for security reasons, she was registered under a fictitious name.
Only after she had locked her door and drawn the curtains, did Ms. Gabriel allow herself to begin to tremble.
"The intimidation takes a toll on you," Ms. Gabriel said in an e-mail message to friends after the Memphis speech. "I was dreading this all day, ever since my hosts told me they had been receiving hostile e-mail about my lecture. It was weighing so heavily on my heart. My stomach was in knots. I got a migraine headache. I knew I was going into battle, and there was no way out of it. I was nervous and stressed. Each time this happens, I hate it and it makes me feel that I don't want to do it anymore. But I will do it. I will never stop. If we stop, the Islamists will have won. We cannot allow that to happen."
Please never stop, Ms. Gabriel.
How did the rest of the audience react? That seems to me the most important part of the matter. If they showed any sympathy for the troublemakers, then this is a battle effectively lost. If not, we should do our best to beat the iron as long as it is hot.
On this Palm Sunday, her story reminds me that we fight against (spiritual) principalities and powers and that we need to continually pray for the safety of those who, by God's grace, have risen up to publicly confront the evil (Islam) that abounds in our world today.
"a Muslim man who has been a long-term graduate student at the university"
In other words someone who has never done a days work in his life.
But, yes, this is a battle and she is showing herself to be a fine soldier. As eve_anne_gelical said this is Palm Sunday, I have just returned from morning worship where I frightened the traffic with my rendition of Lift High the Cross as we processed round the outside of my church. I pray I have Miss Gabriel's courage if I am ever challenged.
I am curious, why weren't these thugs arrested for storming the stage to harrass a speaker? Also please follow up on actions taken by the university against these thugs.
It is hard to believe this happened in America. I also see the more Muslim immigrants we bring in the more this will happen. It makes me upset the rest of the audience did not try and stop this act against free speech. Maybe they should have invited people from the nearest military base for volunteer security. I think many Americans have become too passive.
I am very apalled by this and I do not think the American people whould tolerate their behavior, which violates all our nation stands for.
We have very few Muslims in my area but it is slowly growing. 10-15 years ago I never saw anyone in a burqa but I am seeing more and more of them although it is still rare, thank God.
The more I see of them dressed like that the more I realize we are on the road to losing our free speech and other constutional rights.
I would like to repeat what the patriot in the UK said, "If you do not like it here then go back where you came from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
This happened in Memphis, Tennessee. This is supposed to be right in the heartland of good ol' no-nonsense America. What were the other America audience members doing? Sitting like passive ducks? Shame no them for not taking care of business.
Ms. Gabriel had a long story recetly at frontpage, or townhall, or one of those sites. Her story is amazing and needs to repeated again and again. The only thing we'll ever hear from the MSM (including Arab-controlled FOX News) of the Lebanese Civil War is Sabra and Chatilla, Sabra and Chatilla, Sabra and Chatilla; Sharon the war criminal, Sharon the war criminal, Sharon the war criminal. Nary a peep about the other quarter-million murdered by Hezbollah, the PLO, Iran, and Syria.
Of course the Li'l Muslims felt free to rush the stage and try to scare her to death... and of course they won't be expelled, arrested, or otherwise punished. Yes, this is even the case in Memphis Tennessee. They do it in Tennessee, they do it in Idaho, they do it in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alaska. They do what they damn well please and no one has the nerve to stand up to them. Muslims, like republicans, CAN NOT be found guilty of ANY crime. Some kind of secret law I guess.
kj
fanorollins@yahoo.com
Mohammad said: "I have been made victorious with terror."--Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220
Without the tactical use of fear, employed in such instances as threatening and/or killing critics and apostates, Islam would be weakened considerably. Defeating Islam means we need to take calculated risks, preparing ourselves as safely as possible, but facing up to the fear.
Ms. Gabriel deserves tremendous respect for her assertiveness and courage under these circumstances.
As for the people in the audience, they need to start getting video of these events. Any time there is some speaking engagement where offended Muslims are likely to show up, get it all on video. Set everything up. Plan it. Zoom in on the faces of those causing the problems. Turn this material over to the police if necessary or have it available for the news media if things get ugly. Find out who the Islamists are in your neighborhood. Know where they are and where they go.
The story in Ms. Gabriel's own words, here.
http://americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5398
Film her next speech from the front, arrest anyone who acts up and jail them. Intimidation works both ways. I am 100% for free speech and for upholding the law. They didn’t want a dialogue they wanted her to be silenced. We all know any “religion” that can’t be scrutinized is not a religion but a cult. Give a speech here in Tampa, I could put a few good old boys up front for security, no need for the police, give them a day off. Anyone who rushes the stage will be treated fairly, broken limbs will be taped securely, first aid will be standing by waiting to aid them and all will be give pain killers when they awaken a few weeks later. Medical expenses will be the responsibility of the lawbreakers. You would only have to do it this way once, the next town, the next crowd will act better and the best part is the audience will be much larger.
kj,
here's that frontpage link on Gabriel's story.
Brigitte Gabriel, Arab Christian, tells her story of survival.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=21364
Does Tennessee allow one to carry an unconcealed weapon for self-defense? (...like a 32 round Ingram MAC-10, the "American UZI" perhaps?... which works in the "blowback" principle...for those who savor irony).
The weapon needen't even be loaded. Just visible.
The harassing audience cretins would have then shown a little more respect to the speaker if she could demonstrate that level of unintimidatable seriousness. Since terrorizing the unarmed is their forte.
The hell with getting migraines.
Ms. Gabriel should be giving them.
"a Muslim man who has been a long-term graduate student at the university"
In other words someone who has never done a days work in his life.
From an above posting.
This is already more than what we get here in Australia nowadays.
They used to call them 'men of ME appearance', in short:
MOMEA's.
After the Cronulla riots when the Mohammedans gathered in the mosque on a Sunday night and went on the counter attack, more than 100 cars were smashed up, many Australians bashed at random, 4 churches shot at and burned, some of it, perhaps not enough, was recorded on video.
The police concentrated on arresting and charging young Aussies ONLY. one young fellow got 3 months in the slammer for walking down the road with a tree-branch, believe it or not.
Some 6 Mohammedans (MOMEA's) were, after much pressure, also charged but not convicted. The reports in the papers, (in all Australian papers that reported it) spoke only of 'men', never 'muslims', not even MOMEA's.
Terrorism works!
i'm with imam Ronin.She needs her own security,or at least a man that has ball's enough to stick up for her.I wouldnt just let it go.
Patriot2, all she needs to get free security is talk to the local bikers, gangs and clubs. There are plenty of "talented" people who are also Patriots. They will work free or cheap and no one will rush the stage, press coverage of the speech will be easy. All she need do is let them know who the security will be and the uproar will fill every seat. Everyone will come just to see muslims get a fast track to allah and even though they will not show (not if she advertises the security, because they are cowards)she will have a full house and get to tell her story. Some times the easy answer is the answer. Muslims are brave enough to threaten a woman talking about islam, they will leave bikers, or for that matter any tough men alone. If they had any brains they would have a well spoken woman ask polite questions to her in a respectful and peaceful manner, I know, I know never going to happen but I can dream. Maybe, Nassem could do it, she is always willing to put on a good front for old mo.
good idea,Ronin.I bet if she asked them bikers that go around the country to military funerals,to block that family that goes to them talkin about they are dieing because of the gay's.I bet they would just love a reason Rock n Roll
You know the line in the country song about having friends in low places? It works well
Archimedes
Very good idea. Have several cameras recording at once. One suggestion, however. Be sure and make copies to be stored in a safe place. Distribute enough other ones hoping some get to the media, politicians who might have backbone, and law enforcement.
A good example of the citizens freedoms being taken away one “peace” at a time.
Ronin
A very good idea if the above suggestion doesn’t work. I would hate to see this sort of action, however, when the defenders of the Constitution will not defend it or the country, then there will come a time when the citizens will. The longer this Muslim activity is allowed to go on, the more disastrous it will be. The sooner it’s stopped, the better.
Ms. Gabriel said in an e-mail message to friends after the Memphis speech. "I was dreading this all day, ever since my hosts told me they had been receiving hostile e-mail about my lecture. It was weighing so heavily on my heart. My stomach was in knots. I got a migraine headache. I knew I was going into battle
Ms Gabriel's feelings of intimidation are not uncommon when it comes to dealing with hecklers of this kind, Thank God we live in a in a democracy, but sometimes we have to stand up and be heard and fight for what we believe in.
We must not let a bunch of ignorant thugs (Islamic or otherwise), intimidate and threaten us.
unfortuantely, I think Moslems use this form of intimidation as their method of perpetuating their belief system, so I am glad that she was able to complete her lecture and make her point.
I have not heard this story mentioned or discussed on Memphis talk radio.
This story cannot be found at the Commercial Appeal.
This story cannot be found at the Memphis Flyer.
Believe it or not: THIS STORY CANNOT BE FOUND AT THE DAILY HELMSMAN ONLINE. The Daily Helmsman is the campus newspaper for the University of Memphis.
---------------
Don't forget about the University of Memphis student, an Egyptian, who was found to have "a pilot's uniform, a chart of Memphis International Airport, documents of Western Union transfers to and from Maawad, and instructional DVDs such as "Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings" and "How an Airline Captain Should Look and Act." "
I'm sure it's just a coincidence that he lived in an apartment on Mynders, same street where a Mosque is.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/local/article/0,2845,MCA_25340_4486075,00.html
I am growing ever more frustrated by the fact that day in and day out this sort of intimidation is tolerated. I am sick of the passive enablers who allow this type of behavior and I am sick of the braying,ass-like special interest groups that terrorise anyone who questions their little talking points. Unfortunately this garbage;this itellectual terrorism is par for the course on many university campuses. I am afraid that at some point with the climate of impunity that has been created and the arrogant attitude of unassiable privledge that groups such as Muslims have that worse will occur.To bring this under control someting along the line of the Theo Van Gogh incident will happen to awake the moral lepers who run the average institution of higher learning to the imminant threat militant interest groups pose to free speech and discourse. They like all bullies do what they can get away with. No speaker on any topic in a modern western educational setting should subject to this. This is a modern civilized society and not some backward toilet like the middle east where secterian braying, intimidation and murder pass for political and intellectual discourse.
KJ SAYS: Muslims, like republicans, CAN NOT be found guilty of ANY crime. Some kind of secret law I guess.
OH PUHLEEZE KJ. What republicans? Sandy Berger?
OH, WOOPS! He's a democrat. Seems like democrats like to degrade and intimidate women as well(Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy and his clan, and the list goes on).
Go Brigitte! You are in my prayers! The truth must be told.
eaglecap said:
"I am very apalled by this and I do not think the American people whould tolerate their behavior, which violates all our nation stands for."
Oh, but they will tolerate it. They will tolerated any sort of transgressive behavior from other "cultures." Forty years of multicultural indoctrination and intimidation have rendered most Americans spineless when it comes to these matters. I used to think that we had a breaking point, but not anymore. Millions of illegal aliens marching in the streets with Mexican flags doesn't do it, why should garden variety Mohammedan intimidation be any different.
Sheikyermami ,
(great name by the way)
I live in Australia too and have followed the Cronulla "Riots" in the MSM closely.
( for the benefit of O/S posters Cronulla is a beautiful beachside suburb which over the past 15 yrs has been subjected to regular weekend violence, vandalism and sexual assault from visiting groups of Lebanese males. Which culminated in a vicious gang beating of 2 lifeguards who came to the defence of 2 teenage girls being threatened by said gang.
The ongoing complete failure of the police to address the situation, who are hamstrung by mohammedan -vote- seeking politicians, triggered an over reaction by frustrated locals. "Root causes" indeed, for once overlooked by the local MSM.
My good Sheik,
may I suggest reading "the Australian" newspaper , esp. the ]' Leters" page for a saner view than the left- biased Sydney Morning Herald (our New Duranty Times)
Luckily the SMH seems to be losing cred with the people of late (except the }"people of latte" who are unwillng/unable /unopen to change anyway)
Note the follow up Muslim revenge attacks the very next night in response to the noisy demonstration and fisticuffs by the local Cronulla-ites of the day before involved a 40 car convey starting from a Mosque driving in formation horns blaring and lights flashing for some 20+ miles through Sydney resulting in at least one serious stabbing, gunplay, baseball bats, rape threats, death threats,multiple car , shop, school and church burnings and the shooting up of same .
The police openly admit they were told to step back and not intefere AT ALL by their commander who defends that decision.
Unbelievable yet true.
I'm sure the Sheik can verify these facts for understadably incredulous readers outside Australia.
End result; many Australian "rioters" arrested, charged and penalised.
I think one MOMEA penalised for burning an Australian flag.
After public outcry more Mohammedan revenge attackers arrested, then subsequently released withot charge.
oh for an "edit" fascility,
some typos but you get my drift.
Mike Fleming is a Memphis talk radio host who might could be inspired to take up this issue.
His e-mail address is mike@600wrec.com.
If Memphians do not respond to this, it will be seen as weakness, and it will get worse.
patriot2, the bikers that go around the country to the funerals of our fallen heros are the Patriot Guards as well as other Veterans motorcycle groups such as the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. These guys are Veterans, many who were in direct combat,and true patriots. By the way, these patriots are awake and they know about islam. These guys know the enemy, and if asked, they would provide security.
patriot2, the bikers that go around the country to the funerals of our fallen heros are the Patriot Guards as well as other Veterans motorcycle groups such as the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. These guys are Veterans, many who were in direct combat,and true patriots. By the way, these patriots are awake and they know about islam. These guys know the enemy, and if asked, they would provide security.
Ronin:
The "Angels" and other biker gangs are drug dealers. Their loyalties lie with none but themselves.