WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Friday, the Freedom of Speech Rally organized by former US Marine Jon Ritzheimer, is planned to take place outside the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix, where participants will draw caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Mohammad.
“Even expressions that are offensive, that are distasteful and intended to saw divisions in otherwise tightened diverse community like Phoenix, cannot be used as a justification to carry out an act of violence.”
“[They] certainly cannot be used as justification to carry out an act of terrorism.”
The rally is scheduled less than a month after a center in Garland, Texas that hosted a Prophet Muhammad cartoon exhibit was attacked by two assailants. The perpetrators were killed by police during the attack.
Earnest noted the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is aware of the Phoenix rally.
“[DHS] has been in touch with state and local law enforcement authorities,” he added.
On May 5, 2015, extremists belonging to the terrorist group Islamic State said online that 23 of their supporters have signed up to attack events in the United States similar to the Garland, Texas Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest.
