IRVING — Protests have become the norm lately in front of a mosque in Irving.
"It's deeply disturbing to think that anyone in this day and age would be protested in such a way," said Pastor Michael Waters of Joy Tabernacle AME Church in Dallas.
A screen shot was sent to WFAA showing a post from the Texas Rebel Knights. The Knights are a white supremacist Christian group. The post calls for a rally at the mosque on December 12.
Pete Evans is with Trinity Foundation in Dallas. He is part of a group that investigates churches for fraud, and has heard of fringe Christian groups like the Texas Rebel Knights.
"They are a reflection of what's going on with ISIS," Evans said.
Waters is now part of a planned counter-rally being organized on Facebook. Nearly 400 people representing many faith groups have already agreed to attend. It will be held on that same day and at the same location.
"They have a right to speak, and they have a right to free speech," the pastor said. "We have the right to represent our solidarity with love."
WFAA reached out to the Rebel Knights, but they did not respond.
Evans said he has investigated similar white supremacist Christian groups. "The apostles of the early church wouldn't recognize this group as being any more Christian than my toenail," he said.
The post promoting the original rally appears to have been removed. Irving police said they are aware of the planned rallies and told WFAA they are monitoring the situation.
Whether the Rebel Knights show up two weeks from now, Pastor Waters said the counter-rally is still on.
"Saturday will be peaceful. Saturday will be a righteous revolution," he said.
