As the pressure builds, so far, Terry Jones, pastor of Dove World Church in Gainesville, is unwavering as he presses ahead with his plans to burn a number of Qurans on the ninth anniversary of September 11th terrorists attacks.
There have been calls nationally and internationally for Jones not to go forward with his planned “International Burn a Quran Day”.
President Barack Obama, in an exclusive interview on ABC’s Good Morning America on Thursday, said that Jones’ “stunt” could result in “serious violence” against American troops in Pakistan and Afghanistan, echoing Commander of Afghanistan troops, General David Petraeus’ view.
“If he’s listening, I just hope he (Jones) understands that what he’s proposing to do is completely contrary to our values..this country has been built on the notions of religious freedom and religious tolerance”, Obama said. “As a very practical matter, as commander (in) chief of the armed forces of the United States, I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan.”
Earlier this week, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and other members of the Obama Administration had denounced Jones’ plan to burn Qurans.
On Thursday, Florida Governor Charlie Crist issued a statement indicating he agreed with General Petraeus and that the act of burning Qurans was “offensive”.
“I strongly agree with General Petraeus and others who warn that burning Qurans as a form of protest on September 11th puts our fighting men and women overseas in grave danger”, Crist said. “In addition to being offensive, the Gainesville protest puts at risk those brave Americans who are fighting abroad for the freedoms and values that we believe in as Americans.”
Crist added that he will be “monitoring Saturday’s situation closely”, making sure that all Floridians are safe.
Other local politicians, including Florida CFO Alex Sink, the Democratic candidate for governor, Republican Rick Scott, her opponent and state Senator Dan Gelber, the Democratic running for Florida Attorney General have all denounced the Quran-burning plan.
Meanwhile, Central Florida Muslims have been trying to defuse the situation and some have met with Jones over the past few days.
According to new reports, the Gainesville Fire Department is taking several precautions, but no indication has been given as to whether they plan on dousing the fires from the burning Qurans.
