Group protests Dornan’s comments

Jenny Marder

Human rights activists protested what they called the “hate-filled

rhetoric” from Republican congressional candidate Robert Dornan

outside Huntington Beach City Hall on Friday.

Protesters, unfazed by Dornan supporters’ screams and shaking

fists, showed up to support the Council on American-Islamic

Relations, which claims that the candidates comments about Muslims

are racist.

Dornan is challenging Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in the March 2 primary

for the 46th Congressional District seat, which Rohrabacher has held

since 1988. Many thought Dornan had retired from politics, when Rep.

Loretta Sanchez edged him out of what is now the 47th Congressional

District in 1996.

But, at 70, he’s back to fight the war on terrorism and defeat

what he refers to as “the dark side of Islam.”

Led by the Council on Islamic Relations, eight organizations

banded together on Friday to speak out against racism.

Dornan has referred to the prophet Mohammed, as “a camel driver

with nine wives,” and the Koran, Islam’s holy book, as “a book of war

and terrorism,” said Sabina Khan, spokeswoman for the Council on

American-Islamic Relations.

Dornan did not return calls, but his son and campaign manager,

Mark Dornan, said his father’s comments were taken out of context.

“These are historical facts that they are twisting into

politically correct slander.... He discussed the Koran and the Bible

as being a book full of stories on war,” Mark Dornan said.

This is not the first time Robert Dornan been in the political

spotlight. While in office, a history of fiery rhetoric earned him

nicknames like “Mouth of the House.” During 1992, he told an interviewer that “every lesbian spear-chucker is hoping that I get

elected.”

“All of [Robert Dornan’s] remarks break the community,” said

Ranjinderjit Singh, president of the East and West Assn. of Sikh

Women. “We need people and leaders that bring the community together.

Otherwise, we are alienating good people.”

The group is not endorsing any particular candidate in the race,

she said, and added that most Muslims oppose Rohrabacher’s stand on

immigration and the war in Iraq.

“We could care less about his campaign,” Khan said. “The issue is

racism in political discourse.”

The news conference was small, but heated. Speakers were from the

Orange County Human Relations Commission, the Greater Huntington

Beach Interfaith Council, the Sikh Community, the Islamic Society of

Orange County, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the

Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance.

While the groups were drawn from a mixed tapestry of religious and

ethnic backgrounds, their members stood united behind one message:

Racism, prejudice and hatred are unwelcome in political discourse.

“[Robert] Dornan is challenged with representing all people,” said

Kathryn McCulley, assistant director of the National Conference for

Community and Justice’s Orange County chapter. “His views and beliefs

must be free of all bias and injustice.”

Anna Sanchez of Newport Beach came with her dog, Oreo, to support

the protest.

“Every time he opens his mouth, he insults somebody,” Sanchez

said. “He’s a despicable creature, full of hatred.”

The rally turned from peaceful to divisive toward the end, when

two of Robert Dornan’s supporters interrupted the conference to speak

on his behalf.

Huntington Beach resident Anna Dare vocally backed Robert Dornan

and argued that the speakers should be focusing their attention on

terrorism, not racism. Huntington Beach resident Ron Brindle stepped

in front of the news cameras, blocking the speakers to wax support

for Robert Dornan’s immigration policies.

Despite the discord, organizers called the rally a success.

“Just having so many diverse people from the community standing

with us, it just proved that this is America and we are not tolerant

of intolerance,” Khan said. “It just signifies to me what America is

about.”