Report: DOJ Launches Probe Into Minn. City’s Rejection of Islamic Center After CAIR Alleges Religious Discrimination
- Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:26pm by
Jason Howerton
- Print »
- Email »
Last week, The Blaze reported the City Council in St. Anthony, Minn. almost unanimously rejected plans for a new Islamic center citing zoning concerns, voting 4-1 against the mosque and causing a local stir. Despite officials’ claims the decision was not discriminatory towards Islam, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate immediately following the decision.
And it didn’t take long for the federal government to comply.
An e-mail written by U.S. Attorney for Minnesota B. Todd Jones reveals that an attorney has been assigned to investigate the council’s vote to determine whether or not it qualifies as religious discrimination, according to an KSTP in Minneapolis.
More from KTSP:
The Feds are interested in this case because St. Anthony’s Planning Commission voted 5-1 to approve the permit. Then, just before the city council’s vote, the city changed its zoning ordinance and the council then voted, 4-1, to deny the permit. We are told the Feds want to know why the Council made a last minute change in the zoning ordinance before the vote was taken.
City officials in St. Anthony declined comment because there is possible litigation with this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed they are looking into the matter but also declined to comment.
Following the vote against the Islamic center, Council member Hal Grey said other religious groups had attempted to develop houses of worship in similar “light industrial zones,” but council members agree they should be reserved for businesses.
“The industrial zone is set up for business, manufacturing, things like that,” he previously told the Star Tribune. “We have a very small area in St. Anthony set aside for industrial. So the more we take out of that, the less there is for economic development, jobs, et cetera.”
From The Blaze’s previous report on this story:
If history tells us anything, there is a good chance of the DOJ responding to CAIR’s request. The Star Tribune reports that the Justice Department has launched investigations into 28 similar cases where new mosques were blocked.
No, The Blaze is not prophetic, but history does tend to repeat itself.
So, along with the might of the federal government and CAIR, the proposed Islamic center also has the support of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). It would appear that the small city of St. Anthony is in for a David versus Goliath battle, that is, if they decide not to reverse their decision under the threat of litigation as has been the case time and time again.
This story has been updated.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 687 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 536 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 447 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 374 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 332 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 294 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 304 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 196 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 301 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 294 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (79)
random357
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:39pmDOJ will investigate any thing except them selves.
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:46pmMirrors scare them.
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:01amLets see the DOJ doesn’t have time to call the Parents of Murdered Victim, “from their own gun running” but they have time to check into something for muslims. Anyone see a problem with this? These POS, obama and his admin need to be vetted to the fullest extent! Everything they have ever done, belonged to, and or people they associated with need to be vetted. Enough of this BullSh_t!…… I think were going to find he’s a million times worse than Carter and or Nixon ever was! Watergate is nothing to what were going to find out about obama and his admin have done! I wouldn’t be surprised to see them funneling money into accounts for a later date! People, the next time some community organizer runs for President; we better not ever elect them!… He has never run a business, so how could anyone think he could ever run the US? It be like you handing your checkbook over to your kids and telling them to balance it and not overspend! Do ya think they’ll know how to, or do ya think they screw it up? People why would we let the WOLF in the sheeps pen? Impeach hime Now!……………………………………………………………………. House, please start proceedings to impeach this POS president!….. Even if the Senate won’t. Start it anyway!……
Report Post »Leopold
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:40amAmazing how fast the DOJ can be when it wants to.
How long has it been for the DOJ to comply with Congress on Fast and Furious, again?
Man, these people scare the heck out of me.
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:07amAll of these actions by the current federal gov’t dovetail nicely with the theory of that particular group trying to destroy America from within. We had better get wise to this or it will be too late. Ten years ago this wold have been a shocking story now it’s just another news story…..
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:37pmOne more example of the extremist ties and ideology of the administration.
Report Post »MetalPatriot
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:24pm[to investigate the council’s vote to determine whether or not it qualifies as racial discrimination]
When did Islam become a “race”? The idiots didn’t even think of religous discrimination. Or did they? If they claimed Islam is a religion instead of a economic/political system, they’d be telling on themselves.
The DOJ jumps on this? Too many REAL issues are neglected.
The agendas stink to high heaven. I hope God’s wrath is heavy against these people. I pray the U.S. is or becomes on God’s side….FAST.
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:32pmThe more I think about this the more BS I call. St. Anthony is a small area of St Paul MN in which the recently closed Ford plant is. They are hurting for revenue. Mayor Chris Coleman is a flaming liberal only to be outdone by his neighboring Mayor (literally across a bridge from this area of St. Paul) R.T. Rybak. Rybak is beyond liberal and is host to our Governor Mark Dayton’s homestead. All 3 are Soros funded.
This story reeks of a rat more than any I have recently heard locally.
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:52pmThis is a false flag. Mark my words.
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:29pmwe are being taken over by muslims in this country, we had better take a stand , if they are soooooo peaceful why do they PUSH a mosque where American citizens do not want it, enough is enough
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:40pmThere are roughly 130 Christians to every Muslim in America–HARDLY an Islamic takeover.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:58amAnd that’s where Europe was a while ago, Archon. Look at the immense problems that they are facing now.
This is the tactic that the islamic clerics openly boast about, while laughing up their sleeves at the gullibility of the west. They are telling you loud and clear how they intend to take over your country, and you see the evidence of their actions to date before you.
Why on earth do you, and so many like you, fail to accept the evidence in front of your eyes?
They employ taqqiya to blind you to the obvious proof. The old joke: “Who are you going to believe? Me, or your lying eyes?” is no longer funny.
I imagine that the islamists themselves can scarcely believe it.
Report Post »getourcountryback
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 8:58amThird you turd, that is one muslim for every 130 decent christian people too many. Go back under your bridge.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:26pmWhatever you let happen… will happen!
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:41pmElection time can’t come soon enough!
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:23pm“Then, just before the city council’s vote, the city changed its zoning ordinance and the council then voted, 4-1, to deny the permit. ” That statement should be easily proved or disproved. “the city changed its zoning ordinance” Inquiring minds want an honest answer to that. St. Anthony is one of the most liberal areas in the core of our most liberal cities (Minneanoplace and St. Fall). I find it hard to believe that their council changed an ordinance to isolate Muslims.
Report Post »lessoneleg
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:18pmGee, that was fast. Go figure. The DOJ failed to go after the New Black Panther Party people standing out guard watching and intimidating incoming voters to an Official Polling Station. The DOJ failed to go after illegal immigrants gaining access to the southern border. The DOJ failed to go after members of Nation Of Islam after its members publically release statements of killing White people, and other crimes. How about putting up money to go after George Zimmerman, a bounty.
Report Post »strawberry411a
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:15pmHow about that attorney general huh? Huh? Huh?
Report Post »CafeConservative
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:05pmSince when is being a Muslim, a racial distinction?
Report Post »BringtheLight
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:33pmExactly! It is a religion. Just as Mexican is not a race, it is a nationality.
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:23amActually Islam is a street gang disguised as a religion.
Report Post »Theft rape murder and lying all acts of piety if done to further the aim ( world domination) of the gang.
Vickie Dhaene
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:04amNo, It is not Racial, nor is it Religious. I’m wondering why such a large organization like Cair or the Doj would even care what a small town in St. Anthony, Minn does within their community. Don’t they have better things to do right now?
Report Post »Legal Immigrant
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:03pmbut Islam is a business.
To some it‘s business is to destroy what doesn’t submit.
Report Post »jrfox
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:16amExactly right! Not anything close to a religion.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:01pmDon’t cave in – at all costs, don’t cave in. Your rationale is correct, even if you did amend you city’s General Plan.
Make them prove that your intent was to descriminate. The onus is on them, not you.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »ALL4FREEDOM
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:00pmSt Anthony, stand your ground.
Report Post »Dde13
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:00pmC.A.I.R is a front for for the Muslim brotherhood and should not be allowed to have any liberties in our country.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:22pmCAIR is a Foreign Agent of the Caliphate… as is the Muslim Brotherhood of the Religion!
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:56pmTo wage a proper war on whitey, one would have to embrace a religion that constantly derides white folks. Yeah, yeah, I know that too simplistic, but you know sometimes it’s that simple.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:54pmI see no problem here since their zoning laws have been used to refuse other houses of worship in areas zoned as Light Industrial.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:29pmYep! And islam is not a race…it’s an all-encompassing system to dictate life to its adherents.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:51pmIslam is Not a Religion… but a Theocracy of a State called a Caliphate, ruled by a Caliph, where the State Religion is Mohammedism and the followers are Muslims. Islam is a Foreign Power!
Report Post »BlazeGlory
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:50pmSomeone needs to launch a probe into someone in the DOJ. A good place for that to happen would be in prison.
Report Post »mickgringo
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:33amGrape jelly sandwiches and tossed salads for the all of the current members of the O’Bumski Choom Gang… O’Bummer could be Zed and E-Hold could be The Gimp…. I myself will play the role of Nathan Cochise……. Walter and Donny will play themselves although no toes will get lopped off and no one will suffer a heart attack, get cremated and end up in my beard… DeJesus also was quoted as saying that he would be in favor of the Islamic Center if it also had a daycare he troll before he rolls….
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:49pmA fluking 30 second commercial??????????????????????? WTF!!
NoBama 2012
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:49pmDOJ=Department of Jesters, probing where they should not be and not probing when they should be. It’s time to clean the DOJ up… Starting at the top.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:54pmDisciples Of Jehad!
Report Post »glashole
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:57pmBut what does the church have ot do with it? Satate? Are they not seperate? Lets look into the constitution, oh the church is to oversee the state, not the other way around. Hummm I guess its the other way around now.
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:45pmAs far as BO and Holder go anything muslim is good, anything other than muslim is bad. Four more years of those two suckers and you better learn which way mecca is from your location.
Report Post »MacWell
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 5:24amRight after they pry my Bible from my cold dead hands.
Report Post »lassiegirldawn
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:45pmCommie In Chief needs a place to stick his @ss in the air when visiting Minn. What about investigating why the Church across from the Twin Towers is not getting the ok to be rebuilt. We see where the allegiance lies with this administration and DOJ.
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:41pmISLAM IS FROM HELL N CAN GO BACK TO IT this IS america not IRAn IRAQ america doenst need TERRORISM in any form as MUSLUMS MURDER DAILY even thier OWN familes they will KILL to appease man made cult laws n a false stone idol god. they dont care whom they KILL save that they KILL FACT N TRUTH so “RELIGIOUS’ NOT EVEN THE SLIGHTEST.. buta CULT of hate n death… cair can KISS satans back side while they rot in HELL for thier SINS… no heaven only hell no 70 virgins only flames n fire.. america DOENST WANT NOR NEED ANY MUSLUM GATHERING.. remember 9 11 … DOJ wake up this IS america NOT SYRIA LEBANON PALESTINE ITS AMERICA GOT THAT
Report Post »MacWell
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 5:22amIt’s almost sad to say that I agree with the town. The question I have is why is the government getting involved in religious affairs?
Report Post »Isn’t separation of church and state the liberals battle cry?
booger71
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:37pmThe Holder DOJ is the ********* best friend.
Report Post »sndrman
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 9:26amwho knows bowing HUSSAIN o might wanna worship there on nov. 8 (wed)……
Report Post »momrules
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:37pmYou DO NOT get to turn down a demand from Muslims in America. They want a mosque built and the city darn well better comply or else.
The *or else* in all of the cases where Islam is involved is siccing the terrorist organization C.A.I.R and C.A.I.R.‘s strong arm and ally Eric Holder’s DOJ on anyone who does not comply.
C.A.I.R is to Islam what FFRP is to atheists and the NBPP is to black racists. They are all terrorist organizations allowed to run unchecked in America.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:35pmBut Black panthers with billyclubs at polling boooths they look the other way….sigh
Report Post »