Activists Protest Dornan's Anti-Islamic Comments

March 2, 2004

Source: Los Angeles Times

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On March 2, 2004 the Los Angeles Times reported, "Human rights activists protested what they called the 'hate-filled rhetoric' from Republican congressional candidate Robert Dornan outside Huntington Beach City Hall on Friday. Protesters, unfazed by Dornan supporters' screams and shaking fists, showed up to support the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which claims that the candidates comments about Muslims are racist. Dornan is challenging Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in the March 2 primary for the 46th Congressional District seat, which Rohrabacher has held since 1988. Many thought Dornan had retired from politics, when Rep. Loretta Sanchez edged him out of what is now the 47th Congressional District in 1996. But, at 70, he's back to fight the war on terrorism and defeat what he refers to as 'the dark side of Islam.' Led by the Council on Islamic Relations, eight organizations banded together on Friday to speak out against racism. Dornan has referred to the prophet Mohammed, as 'a camel driver with nine wives,' and the Koran, Islam's holy book, as 'a book of war and terrorism,' said Sabina Khan, spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Dornan did not return calls, but his son and campaign manager, Mark Dornan, said his father's comments were taken out of context."