A large group of protestors were waiting Saturday afternoon at Barnes & Noble for the arrival of Ann Coulter, who has recently posted Tweets that were largely considered to be insults to Jews and Pope Francis. Prior to Coulter’s arrival, members of the group collectively stated that the demonstration was completely non-political and is composed of not only Jewish members, but also Christians.
Coulter was brining her book tour for “Adios America” to the bookstore at Lake Sumter Landing.
Temple Shalom member Helene Ziegler organized the protest with the intent of opposing bigotry and displaying peaceful unity as a group against the demeaning comments of the visiting Republican pundit.
Demonstrators held up American and Israeli flags, as well as signs expressing denouncement towards support for Coulter outside the store. Many of the protestors said they felt offended by Coulter’s anti-Semitic Tweet. Many of the protesters said they had connections to the Holocaust.
“This is an informational demonstration opposed against racial bigotry,” said Pastor Drew Willard of United Church of Christ who was invited by Temple Shalom to stand in solidarity for the Jewish people.
All others of the estimated 200 protestors were offended by not only the anti-Semitic comment, but the anti-Catholic Tweet posted by Coulter.
“The remarks were totally uncalled for and vile,” says Temple Shalom member Ed Ziegler. “[The comments] are not going to be tolerated.”
