This is a special episode of TalkGOP.  This episode covers a meeting sponsored by the American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC) which was intended to address tolerance of Muslims by other American citizens.  The meeting was entitled: “Public Disclosure in a Diverse Society.”  The meeting was prompted in part by a controversial Facebook posting by a local public official which was offensive to Muslims.  As part of the meeting AMAC invited U.S. Attorney for the East District of Tennessee Bill Killian and FBI special agent Kenneth Moore from the Knoxville FBI office to speak on hate crimes and hate speech.

A few days prior to the meeting Mr. Killian made some comments in the press that were widely interpreted as being anti-free spech and anti-Christian.  These comments went viral on-line and led to a call for a free-speech rally at the AMAC meeting.  Today’s podcast is a review of the event including several interviews of those present.  Links mentioned in the show are included below.

Pamela Geller addresses free speech rally in Manchester TN

American Muslim Advisory Council of Tennessee

Mr. Killian’s comments to the Tullahoma News:  http://www.tullahomanews.com/?p=15360

Well known authors, speakers and bloggers Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer flew all the way from New York to attend the rally.  They were very gracious and granted me a short interview which you can hear in the podcast along with some audio of Pamela Geller addressing the free speech rally. Links below to more information about Pamela and Robert as well as some links to Pamela’s coverage of the event.

About Pamela Geller - http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/about.html

About Robert Spencer - http://www.jihadwatch.org/about-robert-spencer.html

AFDI Freedom Rally: Nearly 2,000 Patriots Throng to Tennessee to Defend Free Speech

Free Speech Showdown In Small-Town America

Tennessee Blogger Laurie Sterling  was present and spoke to the crowd. Thanks to Laurie for taking a few minutes to speak with me. Here are links to two of Laurie’s articles.

Is Rural Tennessee Becoming the Next Dearborn Michigan?

Follow up Article to “Is Rural Tennessee Becoming the Next Dearborn Michigan?”

Carl Boyd Jr., a Tennessee talk radio host, led the overflow crowd outside in a continuing rally while the meeting was going on inside.  I spoke with him for a few minutes at the conclusion of the evening.

About Carl Boyd Jr.

Coverage by Nashville newspaper, The Tennessean

Chattanooga Times Free Press Coverage

Times Free Press Editorial

Tullahoma News Coverage