Local veterans hold rally in support of Muslims

[unhappycamper]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/02/27/veterans-hold-rally-support-muslims/dLzmUNnl8WIAjRfRnKrzyH/story.html



Gilane Shaker, left, of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center served food to US Navy veteran David Bonner during a gathering in Boston on Saturday.

Local veterans hold rally in support of Muslims
By Laura Crimaldi Globe Staff
February 27, 2016

Local antiwar military veterans gathered outside New England’s largest mosque Saturday to show support for Muslims amid growing anti-Muslim sentiments that some believe have been stoked by the inflammatory tone of the presidential race.

The rally at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury was organized by the Smedley D. Butler Brigade of Veterans for Peace and drew about 200 people.

“When you listen to what’s going on in presidential politics there is a lot of misinformation and some people are really misrepresenting what this religion is,” said Bob Funke, a US Army veteran and coordinator for the local veterans group. “They’re using it as a wedge issue and they’re scaring people. It’s the politics of fear.”

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Nationally, Veterans for Peace has launched a campaign called “Veterans Challenge Islamophobia” to combat anti-Muslim rhetoric.