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US city at centre of Koran burning to step up security (Extra) - Monsters and Critics
Washington - Security was stepped up in Gainesville, Florida, the city at the centre of a controversial plan by an obscure pastor to burn Korans on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Centre has declared Saturday as 'International Burn a Koran Day,' attracting widespread condemnation from the White House and religious leaders of all faiths across the United States.
'To ensure public safety, the city of Gainesville is following the situation very closely ... with planning for a wide assortment of contingencies,' said Bob Woods, the city's communications manager. He wouldn't give further details on the extra measures planned, citing security concerns.
Outdoor and open burning are prohibited in Gainesville, and require a permit. Jones was denied such a permit by the fire rescue department, Woods told the German Press Agency dpa. If Jones goes ahead with the Koran burning plan, he will be violating the city's ordinances.
Woods said city officials had repeatedly met with representatives of the Dove centre to call off the plan.
Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe has been very public about his feelings, 'the mayor speaks for his community and has been public in his dismay about the planned Koran burning,' Woods said.
In a statement, Lowe said he condemned the 'offensive behaviour that has been directed at our Muslim neighbours and those of the Islamic faith worldwide. Dove is a tiny fringe group and an embarrassment to our community.'
The mayor described Gainesville as 'a place that values every person. We may be of different religions, sexual orientations, races, genders, national origins or ages, but all are welcome here in out effort to build a better community.'
He criticized those who 'seek to create anger instead of reason,' adding that 'Gainesville values a sense of community and innovation, which necessarily requires the contributions of people of good will from a myriad of backgrounds.'
The city of 117,000 is home to the University of Florida.
Washington - Security was stepped up in Gainesville, Florida, the city at the centre of a controversial plan by an obscure pastor to burn Korans on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Centre has declared Saturday as 'International Burn a Koran Day,' attracting widespread condemnation from the White House and religious leaders of all faiths across the United States.
'To ensure public safety, the city of Gainesville is following the situation very closely ... with planning for a wide assortment of contingencies,' said Bob Woods, the city's communications manager. He wouldn't give further details on the extra measures planned, citing security concerns.
Outdoor and open burning are prohibited in Gainesville, and require a permit. Jones was denied such a permit by the fire rescue department, Woods told the German Press Agency dpa. If Jones goes ahead with the Koran burning plan, he will be violating the city's ordinances.
Woods said city officials had repeatedly met with representatives of the Dove centre to call off the plan.
Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe has been very public about his feelings, 'the mayor speaks for his community and has been public in his dismay about the planned Koran burning,' Woods said.
In a statement, Lowe said he condemned the 'offensive behaviour that has been directed at our Muslim neighbours and those of the Islamic faith worldwide. Dove is a tiny fringe group and an embarrassment to our community.'
The mayor described Gainesville as 'a place that values every person. We may be of different religions, sexual orientations, races, genders, national origins or ages, but all are welcome here in out effort to build a better community.'
He criticized those who 'seek to create anger instead of reason,' adding that 'Gainesville values a sense of community and innovation, which necessarily requires the contributions of people of good will from a myriad of backgrounds.'
The city of 117,000 is home to the University of Florida.