A group of about 30 people gathered outside the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga on Friday to show support for the Muslim community – a demonstration sparked in part by comments made by Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond earlier this week.
On Monday, Hammond said the spread of Islam is “the strongest infringement that we’ve had in our country as a constitutional government since communism.”
Although the sheriff said he was referring only to radical Islam, his comments have been widely condemned by both national and state civil rights organizations. The citizens who arrived at the Islamic Society on Friday also spoke against Hammond’s statements.
“I am here because I do not like when public officials make racist, sexist or homophobic comments to prejudice their employees,” said attendee Rosemary Hurayt.
Hammond also suggested that other sheriffs in Tennessee need to keep a close eye on Islamic activity. He made his comments during a public meeting of the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club.