WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The coercion of immigrants by an armed militia is not heroic and displays a sense of hopelessness, advocacy group Anti-Bureau of American Islamic Relations spokesperson Patrick Kelly told Sputnik on Monday.
"Regardless of how one feels about US foreign policy, decisions or the refugee situation, the armed intimidation of Americans and immigrants attempting to practice their religion on US soil is cowardly and desperate," Kelly, who is former US Marine Corps Sergeant, said.
On Saturday, the Bureau of American Islamic Relations held a protest outside the Islamic Center of Irving in Texas to oppose allowing Syrian refugees to resettle in the United States. Shortly after, the group released names and addresses of Muslims and Muslim sympathizers on their Facebook page.
"Should any members of the mosque feel threatened and request assistance, we will be available to escort them to their place of worship," Kelly said.
Since the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, the Council on American Islamic Relations has reported receiving a large increase of hate-crime incidents in the United States.
