Hundreds, some armed, are expected to attend an anti-Islam rally in Phoenix, Arizona Friday evening, where a "Draw Muhammad" contest will be held outside the Islamic Community Center, the mosque formerly attended by the two Muslim men killed earlier this month after opening fire on a similar drawing contest in Dallas, Texas.
The "Freedom of Speech Rally Round II," organized by anti-Muslim activist Jon Ritzheimer, currently has nearly 800 confirmed guests, and will start at 6:15 p.m. – about the same time evening prayers are held inside the community center, per the event's Facebook page.
"I think the whole thing, the cartoon contest especially, I think it's stupid and ridiculous," Ritzheimer said, "but it's what needs to take place in order to expose the true colors of Islam," according to CNN.
Ritzheimer encouraged attendees to bring guns to the event – "to utilize their second amendment right... just in case our first amendment comes under the much anticipated attack" – but he stressed he intends for the event to be a peaceful protest.
The rally comes less than a month after a similar cartoon-drawing contest in Texas drew gunfire from two Phoenix men, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, who wounded a security officer before being shot and killed at the scene.
The two gunmen previously worshipped at the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, which is why Ritzheimer chose that location to hold the event.
"This is in response to the recent attack in Texas where 2 armed terrorist(s), with ties to ISIS, attempted Jihad," he wrote on the event's Facebook page. "Everyone is encouraged to bring American Flags and any message that you would like to send to the known acquaintances of the 2 gunmen. This Islamic Community Center is a known place that the 2 terrorist frequented."
Phoenix police issued a statement Thursday saying officers are "working together [with other departments] to help ensure a safe event," according to ABC15 Arizona.
"Dealing with this type of activity is a challenge that is facing law enforcement across the country," the statement said. "Dealing with groups of protesters and opposing views is not the difficult part. Our goal and the real challenge are trying to anticipate unlawful activities that might occur in conjunction with these events."
