Jamie Glazov interviews Jesse Petrilla of the United American Committee in FrontPage about an important upcoming initiative. One caveat: modern political Islam may have roots in fascism, but political Islam itself is much older than fascism.
Frontpage Interview’s guest today is Jesse Petrilla, the founder of the fast growing organization The United American Committee (UAC), a federation of concerned Americans promoting awareness of threats to Homeland Security, primarily focusing on Islamic extremism in America. The UAC is planning a National Rally Against Islamofascism Day on February 1.
Jesse Petrilla in the Golan Heights on a recent fact-finding mission in the Middle East.
FP: Jesse Petrilla, welcome to Frontpage Interview.
Petrilla: It’s good to be here Jamie.
FP: So your United American Committee (UAC) is having a National Rally Against Islamofascism Day on Feb.1. Tell us about it.
Petrilla: The National R.A.I.D. (Rally Against Islamofascism Day) is taking place so that citizens everywhere at the grassroots level can rally against Islamofascism in an attempt to awaken society and our government. We picked Feb 1st, a day that will not coincide with any holiday, so that we can send a clear message that we are standing up, and rallying against the Islamic extremist enemies of our nation and those who support them.
We have 18 rally locations scheduled so far in America, and numerous international rallies on February 1st as well — including the Czech Republic, Australia, and others. These rallies will also send a message of support for our troops and also for law enforcement, those men and women who protect us in the war on terror.
Any and all individuals interested in forming a rally of their own are encouraged to gather their friends and head out to a busy street corner, or outside of a government building with flags and signs in hand, to rally on Feb. 1st in the National R.A.I.D.
FP: So what are some of the goals the UAC hopes to attain with the National R.A.I.D.?
Petrilla: It is aimed at awakening the American people and the American government to the Islamic extremist threat. It is also a way to let concerned citizens know that they are not alone. If a citizen is concerned with the radical Islamist threat to our nation, when they see other people standing up, they will hopefully stand up as well. We need to let people know that it is OK to confront Islamic extremism, regardless of whether or not it is politically correct. We will never defeat our enemies if we are afraid to fight them and call them what they are.
Rallies against Islamofascism being held in communities across the nation will also let other citizens know that many people feel that something must be done. The mere fact that people are rallying against Islamic extremism means that many feel that something is wrong. We need to send a clear message across America and around the world that the people are standing up against those who wish to destroy us.
FP: What motivated you to organize this rally?
Petrilla: America is at a crucial crossroads at this moment in history. Our actions today will echo for generations. At this time when the American way of life is being attacked, many citizens of America instead of standing behind the nation, are rallying against the war on terror and against the efforts of organizations such as the United American Committee. The U.A.C. is attempting to give people a grassroots outlet to assist in the war on terror.
We feel that in this time of war we must come together and unite in support of confronting our enemies, and assuring that our government does not yield to those in America who wish to subvert or sabotage efforts which would protect the nation against our Islamofascist enemies.
When I founded the U.A.C., I was just doing my part; I am just a concerned citizen like many others, and the Feb. 1st National Rally Against Islamofascism Day is a way to let the voices of the concerned citizens be heard. This is much more than just a day to hold a rally, the UAC is much more than just an organization, this is the beginning of a movement in America of the people, for the people, and by the people. A movement to be victorious over America’s radical Islamic enemies.
FP: So, the term “Islamofascism.” Define it for us.
Petrilla: Well, we can deconstruct Islamism’s roots in fascism, etc. But to put it simply, Webster’s dictionary defines fascism as a “olitical philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.”
The Islamic fundamentalists wish for Islam to be an all encompassing lifestyle and government law. The goal of the fundamentalists is to establish global ‘Sharia law’, those are the Islamic laws which draw no distinction between religious and secular life. Sharia goes far beyond covering religious rituals, but covers many aspects of everyday life, politics, economics, banking, business or contract law, and social issues.
Fundamentalist Muslims wish to establish Sharia law around the entire world. Thus, it fits quite well with Webster’s definition of fascism, and is therefore, Islamofascism — a totalitarian threat against democracy and the American way of life.
FP: Yes, we can go deeper of course. Islamism, as you note, has roots in fascism and it also shares the same roots with fascism. The Nazis, for instance, helped create the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928, etc. A despotic impulse against liberalism and individualism is always a species of the fascist virus.
In any case, we’ll save this for another forum.
So who should take part in the National R.A.I.D.?
Petrilla: Any and every American should take part in this effort. This is not limited to any one religion, race, economic class, or political party. Republicans, Democrats and independents alike are encouraged to unite on Feb. 1st as we stand up against our enemies. The terrorists know no party lines. Muslim groups are especially welcome to join us and to show their support for America. If there are pro-Western, pro-American Muslims who wish to stand with us and hold the American flag, we would love nothing more. If they refuse to stand with us, I ask the question “Why?”
This is an opportunity for Muslims who do not follow militant Islam, and who have embraced democracy and America, who may otherwise be afraid to speak out, to stand up and show their support for the nation and for freedom and democracy.
The purpose of this rally is to unify all Americans behind a common goal and against an enemy that is seeking to destroy values we all hold dearly. This is a rally to promote peace and tolerance and make clear what America stands for. Republicans, Democrats, people of all ethnicities and political backgrounds, are urged to march on the day of the event and show their true support for the United States of America. If they are with America, then they should have no problem marching with us.
FP: Have any Muslims joined UAC and are you aware of some Muslim leaders or organizations planning to participate in the National RAID?
Petrilla: We have attempted to reach out to the Islamic community numerous times.
The extremist regimes and ideologies of Mideast nations bring great hardships upon their people. That is why it is of utmost importance for the Muslims to stand up against terror, and Islamic extremism. Several pro-reform and pro-western Muslims have sided with the UAC. However, many still refuse to join with us, either out of fear of being labeled apostates by their Muslim brethren, or for other unsaid reasons which include their holding of fundamentalist beliefs.
We cannot change the views and tactics of the fundamentalists, the change must come from within the Islamic world. We extend a more than warm welcome to any Islamic organization that wishes to take part in the Feb.1st National Rally Against Islamofascism.
So far we have had no takers as far as Islamic groups. However, we more than hope for, and expect to see Muslims who are against Islamic extremism join us in support of America and the West at our rallies.
FP: Before we go, you have just been on a trip to the Middle East?
Petrilla: Yes, I just came back from a trip to the Middle East on a fact finding mission and I saw what the radical Islamists want to bring to America. Throughout the Middle East there are minefields, bombed out buildings, and when I visited Israel, security checkpoints everywhere and a stressful on-edge lifestyle are the norm. That’s what I foresee happening to America if we don’t confront our enemies today.
FP: Tell us about these minefields and “bombed out” buildings. What exactly are they and where are they?
Petrilla: I spent some time in the Golan Heights, where Syrian soldiers would lob rockets from atop mine-covered hillsides into Israeli farms and settlements. These are horrors that America does not know much of.
We got a taste what Islamic extremists have in store for us on 9/11 and we must work hard to keep the peace of mind that makes us who we are, Americans.
FP: Mr. Petrilla, I hope your rallies turn out to be a great success. Good luck in your important and vital work.
For all of our interested readers who would like to go out that day and find a rally closest to their location, just visit the UAC site for more information.
Petrilla: Thanks Jamie, in our effort to preserve our way of life against Islamic extremists it is a major first step to let those concerned citizens know that their voices can be heard. The National Rally Against Islamofascism Day will be a way to do that. I encourage everyone to attend the rallies listed in our press release, and if there is not one in their area, I encourage all concerned citizens to gather their friends and hold a rally of their own.