Anti-Islam barbecue puts Sheriff’s Office on alert

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said it will have deputies ready Saturday in case an anti-Islam themed barbecue hosted by a motorcycle club goes south.

Flyers distributed by the Infidels MC shows an offensive image of the Prophet Muhammad and said the barbecue will be held in defiance of Ramadan. There is also an image on the flyer protesting ISIS.

The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the group’s headquarters in Cimarron Hills area.

In Texas last month, there was a shooting outside a cartoon contest for the Prophet Muhammad. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is planning on having extra deputies available if they need to respond.

“We don’t get involved in the politics of groups or meetings like that. Our primary concern is just to make sure that the public is safe and the event is safe and that there aren’t any large disturbances or outbreaks,” said Lt. Rick McMorran.

An organizer for the event would not answer KRDO NewsChannel 13’s questions about the theme. He went on to say the barbecue may be cancelled because it’s in “poor taste.”

Arshad Yousufi is a leader in Colorado Springs’ Muslim community. He supports anyone protesting ISIS, but he said this group crossed the line when it also protested Islam.

“We are opposed to ISIS so we are totally in agreement with them if they are protesting ISIS and all the atrocities. But we do not agree with them equating it with Islam because what they are doing is contrary to Islam,” said Yousufi.

He said ISIS is a religious cartel, using Islam as a cover to carry out crimes.

“They are vicious, they are ruthless, they have no rules, they are only interested in profit and their own power,” said Yousufi.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will still have plans in place for Saturday in case the event does move forward.